Lifestyle Witnessing • Lesson Five • Get Ready to Speak 1. Season your conversation 2. Declare God’s promisesWorship
Prayer I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. (selected verses of Psalm 145) Lord Jesus, help me tell others who you are and what you’ve done. Amen.
Witnessing Activity Report Spend a few minutes talking about witnessing joys and frustrations, triumphs and failures.
Introduction What do you have strong feelings about? Is it a special brand of car, style of music, style of home, the latest book you read, your grandchildren, your pet? Whatever it is, speak a few sentences about it right now. Was that difficult? Why or why not? You probably guessed where this is going! What, ultimately, will help us get over our hesitancy to speak about Christ?
Studying God’s Word Season your conversation Colossians 4:2–6 Be persistent in prayer, and as you pray, be alert and thankful. 3 At the same time, pray for us too, that God might open a door for our message, so that we can tell the mystery about Christ, for which I am in prison. 4 Pray that I may make it known clearly, as it is necessary for me to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom in the way you act toward those on the outside, making the most of your opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you know how you are to answer each person.
1. Paul encouraged the Colossians to be alert (NIV watchful). What were they to be watchful for?
Lifestyle Witnessing
Lesson Five—Page 2
2. Paul was concerned that he proclaim the message of God clearly. Why?
3. Paul wrote, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders” (NIV). How would you say that in your own words?
4. What differences come to mind when you think of grace and salt?
His Word in My Life What might you pray for when you’re talking to an unbeliever? If all I do for the elderly man across the street is yard work, heavy chores, meal preparation, and visiting, I really haven’t made the most of every opportunity. He may think I’m nice because I live next door. How might my conversation with him be “full of grace, seasoned with salt”? Even before we talk of a Savior from sin, we set the stage for sharing the gospel by the way we listen, speak, and act.
Declare God’s promises 1 Peter 2:9–12 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, the people who are God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 At one time you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. At one time you were not shown mercy, but now you have been shown mercy. 11
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and temporary residents in the world, to abstain from the desires of the sinful flesh, which war against your soul. 12 Live an honorable life among the Gentiles so that even though they slander you as evildoers, when they observe your noble deeds, they may glorify God on the day he visits us. 1. It’s easy to think highly of ourselves when we do well and poorly of ourselves when we fail. Verse 9 defines our worth in different terms. Where does our true value come from?
2. Use verses 9 and 10 to write a personal mission statement. Include details unique to your life.
“I am here to . . .”
Lifestyle Witnessing
Lesson Five—Page 3
3. How might we “proclaim the praises” of God in our conversations?
4. Sinful desires “war against” our souls. How do sins hurt our ability to witness to others?
5. According to verse 12, what’s the goal of a Christian life?
His Word in My Life A fellow Christian remarks to you, “I really want to tell my friend about Jesus, but I feel so inadequate. After all, I’m not perfect.” What would you say to her? John confides to you, “It’s so hard to be a Christian where I work. It seems like everyone around me challenges my morals and makes fun of my beliefs. Sometimes I just want to get out of there.” What would you say to him? One man privately made fun of and even cursed his Christian neighbor. Today he’s a Christian! Now they worship God together on Sundays. Have you ever witnessed a person changing in such a dramatic way? If so, share your story. Our way of acting and talking may have a profound and eternal impact on people.
Summary If you find it easy to find fault with others and to be sarcastic, others may find your conversation interesting but not full of grace and seasoned with salt in a Christian sense. Summarize this lesson by suggesting how you might make your conversation salty and full of grace. If you find it so difficult to talk about your Savior that you seldom, if ever, do, others may like you, even admire you, but never know what makes you tick. Summarize the lesson by suggesting how you might better wear your faith on your sleeve.
Life with God As you read each of these sections of Scripture, ask yourself what you can learn from them about sharing your faith in Christ. • Day 1: Read John chapter 4. • Day 2: Read Acts 8:26-40. • Day 3: Read Mark 2:13-17. • Day 4: Read Psalm 145. • Day 5: Read Matthew 10:1-20. • Day 6: Read Revelation 7:9-17, and plan your witnessing activity report for the group.