Practical Evangelism 1 – How to witness

The aim of this devotional study is to reflect on John the Baptist witness of Jesus Christ.

Scriptures

John 1:6-9

There was a man who was sent from God; his name was John [the Baptist].  He came as a witness to testify concerning that light so that through him all might believe.  He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.  The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.

Observation and reflection

Context: This portion of the prologue to John`s gospel announces the purpose of John the Baptist`s role in the life in ministry of Jesus.

1.       Carefully list everything that the gospel writer records about John.

2.       John the Baptist came to witness.

a.       Where does one usually find a witness?

b.      What is the task of a witness?

3.       John was not ‘the Light’ then?

4.       The gospel writer records ‘so that through him ALL might believe’.   Who does “ALL” refer to?

a.       Can you recall the specific incident of witnessing this refers to? [See John 1:29-34].

b.      What was the result of John’s witnessing then?

c.       Why is this witness significant –even to you and me today?

Personal reflection and Application

John the Baptist`s witness had three important elements: (1) he was not the Light, but (2) was sent to bear witness of that Light (3) so that all men might believe.  We are all commissioned to bear witness of our life-altering encounters with Christ, and this summary of John’s witness is helpful to our witnessing.

1.       Reflect personally on John’s  witness.

a.       John ‘was not The Light’; how would it change your witnessing if you were not The Light?

b.      John was to bear witness of ‘that Light’.  How do you bear witness of ‘that Light’ effectively?

c.       John was to bear witness ‘so that through him all might believe’.  How does this emphasis change the way you bear of witness of Jesus Christ?

2.       Recall one personal life-altering encounter you had with Jesus Christ.  Briefly write that out to witness of The Light as John bore witness of that Light.

Prayer

Thank God for his work of grace in your life, and pray as disciples prayed in Acts 4:29 for boldness to witness of what Jesus has done for and in you.

Stewardship 4 – perceptions

The aim of this devotional study is to reflect on our relationship to and perception of money and material possessions.

Scripture

Matthew 6:22-23

22  “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23  But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

Observations and reflections

Note: Matthew 6:19-34 contain Jesus’ revolutionary teachings on possessions, money and security.  We focus on one or two such teachings each day and consider our own thoughts and actions in the light of his words.

1. In your own words paraphrase Jesus’ teaching regarding money in these two verses.
2. Can you think of one word that best summarizes Jesus’ teaching in these two verses?
3. Give synonyms for “full of light” and “full of darkness” in these verses.
4. Jesus’ teaching on the “eye” is in the midst of his teaching on money and our relationship to it. How is it that your “eye” can change the whole experience of your life?

Application

Jesus said that your eye (or relationship to money, or your perception of money) will determine your outlook on life.

1. Jesus teaching demands a choice of attitude adjustment to live a fulfilled life without a change in circumstances. How would you help someone with a “dark” (critical or negative) attitude to make such a change in his/her approach to life?  How can you “train the eye” to adjust one’s reality to “light”?
2. Take a metaphorical step back and look at your own current situation:
   1. If a really rich person would eat, dress and live with you today, how would he feel?
   2. If a really poor person would eat, dress and live with you today, how would he feel?
   3. How does that challenge your perspective of your own material blessings?
3. From this teaching of Jesus – what can you do “live in the light” today?

Prayer

Do you have a critical disposition and tend to see the glass half empty? Bring your negative outlook to God and ask him to heal your eyes.  Ask God to help you see his beauty and provision in your life in every circumstance.  Then start right away to make a list of God’s provision and thank him for it.  Do this throughout the day and week – train your eye to see God’s hand in your life!