Lutheran Hour Ministries presents

1. Lutheran Hour Ministriespresents MISSION U School of Witnessing

2. Who we are • Outreach ministry supporting churches worldwide • Flagship program, The Lutheran Hour, began in 1930 • Programs proclaim the Gospel, equip Christians to share the Gospel and reach out to believers and nonbelievers Visit www.lhm.org for more information!

3. Equipping to Share:Everyday Evangelism

4. Christian Witnessing To “witness” means . . . • to speak from personal experience; • to introduce others to Jesus

5. Effective Witnessing is… • personal. • relational. It takes place when: • you listen; • you are genuinely interested; • you hear a person out and then speak.

6. Always Be Prepared

7. Witnessing Hindrances What hinders your witness?

8. Fear? Common Fears: • rejection • the unknown • confrontation • embarrassment • being tongue-tied • saying the wrong thing • finding the right time

9. Inadequacy? Lack of . . . • knowledge • personality • confidence • authority

10. Consider the source. Satan seeks our failure. He controls us with lies: • You can’t do it. • This will be a terrible experience. • This isn’t necessary.

11. The Solution: Fear is a spiritual problem with a spiritual solution. • Confess your fears and search His Word. • Trust in His promises. • Ask for power through God’s Holy Spirit.

12. The Solution: Satan says, “Be afraid to witness.” God says, “You have nothing to fear!” • Read Luke 12:11-12 and 2 Timothy 1:7.

13. Luke 12:11-12 • “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, • do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, • for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that • time what you should say.”

14. Overcoming Fear… by His power in us! “For God did not give us a spirit of fear and timidity, but a sense of power, of love and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). Are you fearful and feel ill equipped? Ask! Be empowered by the Holy Spirit!

15. Overcoming Fear… with common sense! Follow James 1:19: “Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” • Be a good listener. • Think before you speak. • Don’t get pulled into a debate!

16. Consider. . . • “Less than 5% of people react to a Christian witness in an ugly or unpleasant way, although many decline or are indifferent.” - How to Share Christ Confidently • We have no right or reason to internalize negative reactions: • “… he who rejects you rejects Me” (Luke 10:16b).

17. Overcoming Obstacles… through prayer! “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

18. Overcoming Obstacles… through prayer! “… If two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven” (Matthew 18:19). Write the name of one person at this workshop. Commit to praying for him or her.

19. You Are Qualified! God has chosen and appointed you. “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). Satan says: You are not capable or qualified to witness. God assures you that you are!

20. Make the Most of Prayer. In John 16:23b, Jesus says, “... My Father will give you whatever you ask in My Name.”

21. Make the most of His offer by asking for • the opportunity to introduce Him to someone; • a loving and winsome approach; • an open mind and heart in the hearer; • the ability to listen and perceive; • the right words and way to present Jesus; • a positive and lasting response. Trust He will keep His promise.

22. So. . . Get Over Yourself! Witnessing is not about me! It’s about Jesus. It’s all about His mission, His message, and His power; and the person who needs to know Him. It’s our privilege to participate!

23. Be Led By Love. Love makes us want to witness—not guilt, duty, or egotism. • love for God • love for His children “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear …” (1 John 4:18a).

24. You Know the Mission. “And you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in Judea, and Samaria and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

25. In other words … in my family, with my friends, on the job, in my community, in the grocery line … wherever God leads.

26. You Know His Message. “By this Gospel you are saved … that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day …” (1 Corinthians 15:2-4a). “We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that … we too may have new life” (Romans 6:4).

27. You Know His Message. Consider how this message shapes your story. How has Jesus changed your life?

28. His Great Commission: Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).

29. It’s Your Privilege, not your perfection! God has shown me mercy as an example to all. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:15b-16).

30. It’s Your Privilege, not your perfection! The witness is not that you’re perfect, but that God is so loving and patient He forgave even you!

31. Our Job By Privilege We don’t want followers of us; we seek followers of Christ!

32. Our Job By Privilege “For when one says, I follow Paul, and another, I follow Apollos, are you not mere men? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe as the Lord has assigned to each his task. “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow” (1 Corinthians 3:4-7).

33. Our Job By Privilege Only Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Only the Holy Spirit can work in someone’s heart. Our job is to plant and water seeds.

34. Privileged To Share • Form a group of three with someone new. • Introduce yourself (name, congregation). • Have each share one of the following: • Who in the Bible would you be? • Discuss a time of reconnecting with God. 10 Minutes!

35. Privileged To Share • What was easy about sharing? • How would your wording differ if sharing with a non-Christian?

36. Privileged To Share Who? Where? What is your prayer? Stop and pray for that person.

37. Everyday Opportunities: Stop! Ask yourself, Who in my life needs Christ? Who can I pray for regularly? Does no one come to mind? Surrounded only by Christians? Think again. . .

38. Who Do You Know? Children Parents Siblings In-laws Friends Neighbors Classmates • Co-workers • People at the gym People at the coffee shop Hair dresser Mechanic Mailman University students

39. Be Quick To Listen. . . As a friend, as a learner For his or her worldview

40. Worldview: It’s the set of assumptions through which one perceives the world. Ultimate Allegiance

41. Worldview: As a Christian, what is our ultimate allegiance? What alternatives does the world adopt? Ultimate Allegiance

42. How Might Actions And Assets Reflect Ultimate Allegiance? Ultimate Allegiance Believe, value Think, feel Do, have

43. Alternate Worldviews: Any ultimate allegiance other than Christ ends in failure and disappointment! Job: What if I get fired? Family: What if there is a divorce? Me: What happens when I fail? Spouse: What if my spouse leaves? Church: What if my church offends? Possessions: What if I have everything?

44. Share God’s Promises: • To be with us always. Isaiah 41:13 • To deliver us from trouble. Psalm 50:15 • To always love us. Romans 8: 37-39 • To remove our sins. Psalm 103:12

45. Share God’s Promises: • To never leave us. Joshua 1:5 • To provide an exit when tempted. 1 Corinthians 10:13 • To know we’re free from sin, death. Romans 8:1-2 • To prepare a place for us in heaven. John 14:2-3 • To give us perfect heavenly bodies. Romans 8:11

46. Worldview Keep focused on the ultimate allegiance. The Holy Spirit transforms from the inside out. Ultimate Allegiance

47. Case Studies • Form groups of 3-5. • Read both parts of the case study. • In this case, you are the “Believer.” • Discuss ways to approach or respond to the “Unbeliever” in word and deed.

48. The Importance Of Obedience… to the Holy Spirit’s prompting: “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My Name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26 ).

49. The Importance Of Obedience… It will be made known to you … when to move. when to yield. Obey. It is God's mission, God’s message, and God’s timing.

50. Brief Encounters Don’t ignore Social Media. • Facebook • Twitter