Sharing the Word of God is Important
You never know who needs to hear about the saving grace of Jesus and the truths of the Bible. Some people were born in Christian countries, attended Christian schools, and lived in Christian homes, but are clueless about the teachings of the bible. America is said to have been founded on Christian principles and claim to have religious freedom but that does not mean that all its citizens know God. Over time, just like Israel in the Old Testament of the Bible, there can be a shift in beliefs and a change in the level of importance attached to faith.
Seven years ago, I was a member of a devotion and bible study group with five other persons. We had our meetings by telephone as we lived in different cities and had work schedules. This was motivation not to slack off studying the Bible because we discussed the passages we read. During one such discussion, the newest member told us that she had always thought that after Jesus died everything ended. We asked her what she meant, and she said that she thought the disciples returned to their regular lives and that was the end of following Christ. We were studying the New Testament, and she was surprised to read that the disciples continued to spread the gospel and serve Jesus. She said that she attended a catholic school and could not understand how she could not have known that. At that time, she was almost 60 years old. She called her younger sister who lives in New York, where they grew up, to find out if that was also her impression. Her sister confirmed that she thought the same thing. This is just one example but there are many misconceptions and myths about Jesus Christ, the Bible, and Christianity.
It does not matter how many churches per square mile exist in a country if the word of God is not reaching people and lives are not being changed by embracing it then many will be lost. The gospel needs to reach each person because the good news of Jesus Christ brings changes to our lifestyles raises our self-esteem, assists us to maximize our talents in this life, and to gain eternal life – multiple benefits.
All Christians are called to tell others about salvation through Jesus Christ. Matthew 28:19 says that Christ told the disciples to teach the gospel to all nations and baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Mark 16:15-16 states, “And he said unto them, go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. All Christians are called to do the same. One of the challenges the church faces is many of us are not making ourselves available for witnessing and working in the kingdom. Jesus said in Matthew 9: 37- 38, “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Our lives should reflect Christ’s since the church is His bride and we are being changed day by day to become more like Him.
The Christian Walk is a life of encounter and faith, assisting us to overcome life’s daily challenges. The Bible says that the just shall live by faith and faith cometh by hearing the word of God, so when we listen to and meditate on the Word of God daily it changes how we think and act. The Christian Walk is more than just reciting chants and leaving an assembly with the perception of being saved. When we have genuine encounters with Jesus, not just superficial involvement, they lead to salvation or the strengthening of our faith. Jesus is the center of Christian faith, as salvation comes exclusively through Him. Belief in Jesus’ death and resurrection is the key to salvation, not mere intellectual acknowledgment.
Christians Should Know What They Believe
Everything else is meaningless without Jesus at the core of our Christian experience. The phrase “all is vanity” appears in the Bible in Ecclesiastes 1:2, where it is written, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity”. The phrase is used by the Preacher, the son of David and king of Jerusalem, to convey the meaninglessness and futility of life. The Preacher went on to ask, “What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun?” With all his money, power, 700 wives, and 300 concubines the king found life pointless. We all want enough money, respect, and a wife or husband to build our families, but without Christ, we will not find fulfillment. When we are saved and Jesus begins to change us, as we change, we should want to share what Jesus is doing in our lives with others. As our brother Paul said in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God”.
Can you imagine what would happen if all Christians actively participated in soul-winning? As of 2023, there are approximately 2.4 billion Christians worldwide, making Christianity the largest religion by population. This represents about 31.2% of the world’s population, and Christians make up the majority of the population in 157 countries and territories. If each Christian was to effectively work in God’s vineyard, in 5 years maybe the whole world would be saved. The truth is most persons who attend church hardly witness, we leave that to the preachers and the evangelists. How can we change that?
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Christian Witnessing and Evangelism
Encouraging Christians to actively witness by sharing their faith, can transform individuals and communities. Witnessing is not just about spreading beliefs; it’s about living a life that reflects the teachings of Christ and inspiring others through actions and words. Here are practical strategies and approaches to encourage more Christians to be witnesses:
1. Foster a Culture of Authentic Faith
A. Personal Relationship with Christ
Cultivate Deep Faith: Encourage personal devotion through prayer, Bible study, and worship. A strong, personal relationship with Christ naturally overflows into a desire to share His love with others.
Personal Testimony: Share stories of how faith has impacted lives. Hearing authentic testimonies can inspire others to speak about their faith experiences.
B. Authentic Living
Live Out Faith: Demonstrate Christian values in everyday actions. Authenticity in living out one’s faith is often the most compelling witness.
Address Real-Life Challenges: Encourage Christians to share how their faith helps them navigate life’s difficulties, making their witness more relatable.
2. Equip and Educate
A. Training Programs
Workshops and Classes: Offer training in evangelism, communication skills, and understanding cultural contexts. Equip people with the knowledge and tools needed to share their faith effectively.
Role-Playing Scenarios: Use role-playing exercises to build confidence and provide practical experience in sharing faith.
B. Resources
Provide Materials: Distribute books, pamphlets, and digital resources on effective witnessing. Practical guides can help people articulate their beliefs.
Online Platforms: Utilize blogs, social media, and online courses to teach and inspire witnessing. Encourage the sharing of faith through digital means.
3. Create Opportunities
A. Community Engagement
Service Projects: Organize community service and outreach programs. Witnessing through action, such as helping the needy, can open doors to sharing faith.
Church Events: Host events like open houses, seminars, or cultural nights where faith can be discussed in a welcoming environment.
B. Encourage Conversations
Small Groups: Form small groups where members can practice sharing their faith in a supportive setting. These groups can also brainstorm outreach strategies.
One-on-One Mentorship: Pair experienced witnesses with those less comfortable sharing their faith. Mentorship can provide personalized support and encouragement.
4. Lead by Example
A. Church Leadership
Model Evangelism: Church leaders should actively engage in and promote witnessing. Their example can motivate the congregation to follow suit.
Preach on Witnessing: Regularly include messages on the importance of evangelism in sermons. Highlight biblical examples, practical applications, and how the kingdom of God benefits.
B. Recognize and Celebrate Efforts
Share Success Stories: Celebrate stories of successful witnessing during services or in church newsletters. Recognizing efforts can inspire others to take similar steps.
Encourage Peer Recognition: Foster a culture where members acknowledge and support each other’s evangelistic efforts.
5. Emphasize Relationship over Conversion
A. Building Relationships
Focus on Connection: Encourage building genuine relationships rather than pressuring for conversions. Authentic relationships often lead to more meaningful discussions about faith.
Respect Differences: Teach respect for diverse beliefs and approaches. Witnessing should be about sharing, not debating.
B. Be a Listener
Active Listening: Emphasize the importance of listening to others’ stories and struggles. Understanding their perspectives can create openings to share your faith in a relevant and compassionate way.
Addressing Needs: Identify and address the spiritual or emotional needs of others through conversations and actions. Meeting people where they are can make faith-sharing more impactful.
6. Cultivate a Supportive Environment
A. Prayer Support
Prayer Groups: Form groups dedicated to praying for opportunities and courage to witness. Prayer can provide spiritual strength and guidance.
Prayer Chains: Implement prayer chains where members can share witnessing experiences and request prayers for specific people or situations.
B. Encouragement Networks
Support Groups: Create networks where members can share their witnessing experiences, challenges, and successes. Support from peers can provide encouragement and practical advice.
Feedback Mechanisms: Offer feedback and constructive criticism to help improve witnessing approaches and overcome barriers.
7. Address Fears and Misconceptions
A. Overcoming Fear
Identify Fears: Address common fears such as rejection, ridicule, or lack of knowledge. Understanding these fears can help in finding practical solutions.
Courage Workshops: Offer workshops that focus on building confidence and overcoming the fear of sharing faith.
B. Clarify Misconceptions
Debunk Myths: Clarify that witnessing isn’t about having all the answers but about sharing personal experiences and offering support.
Encourage Imperfection: Emphasize that it’s okay to make mistakes. Witnessing is a learning process, and sincerity is more important than perfection.
8. Integrate Witnessing into Daily Life
A. Everyday Opportunities
Natural Conversations: Encourage finding natural moments in daily interactions to share faith. Witnessing doesn’t always require a structured approach.
Faith in the Workplace: Discuss ways to integrate faith respectfully into workplace interactions without being intrusive.
B. Consistent Faith Practices
Daily Acts of Kindness: Teach that simple acts of kindness and compassion can be powerful witnesses of Christian values.
Visible Faith: Encourage wearing symbols of faith or sharing faith-based materials casually. Sometimes a visible sign of faith can prompt conversations.
Conclusion
Witnessing is an integral part of Christian life, fostering a deeper connection with faith and expanding the reach of the Gospel. By fostering authentic relationships, providing practical training, creating supportive environments, and integrating witnessing into daily life, we can encourage more Christians to actively share their faith. It’s about living out the love of Christ in every interaction, showing the world the transformative power of a life dedicated to God.
Furthermore, we believe in the incredible gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. It’s like discovering a treasure beyond measure and wanting to share it with everyone around us. Evangelizing and witnessing are not just tasks on a to-do list. They are expressions of love and compassion. Imagine that someone held the key to eternal life and didn’t share it – wouldn’t that be tragic? We’re called to spread the good news because we want everyone to experience the joy, peace, and purpose that comes from knowing Jesus. It’s urgent because life is fragile, and tomorrow isn’t promised. It’s important because every person matters deeply to God. So, let’s share this life-changing message with boldness, kindness, and a heart overflowing with love.