How knowledgeable should we be before witnessing?

[shataytay]

........

 

[lonnienord]

Jesus said: "go and make followers of all people in the world.... Teach them to obey everything I have taught you and I will be with you always."Matthew 28:19,20 New Century Version. Know JESUS! let JESUS shine through your life! Tell others about JESUS!! Read the Bible especially the Gospels. Trust JESUS he will tell you what to say.

all for JESUS!!
lonnie

 

[clonenomore]

Jesus said: "go and make followers of all people in the world.... Teach them to obey everything I have taught you and I will be with you always."Matthew 28:19,20 New Century Version. Know JESUS! let JESUS shine through your life! Tell others about JESUS!! Read the Bible especially the Gospels. Trust JESUS he will tell you what to say....

Amen!

In addition to the Great Commission (above), in Mark, Jesus says, "Follow me. I will make you fishers of people." "Make" here does not mean that Jesus will force us to witness -- we have the choice -- howver, He will show us how to do it. He will teach us -- and often that teaching comes via "on the job" training. God can and will send people to us that need to hear our story. And that's what witnessing really is -- we know what Jesus did for us, tell that story! Make it personal.

Think about a trial. The witnesses are there to tell what they saw -- in other words, their story. That's what we are to do. We are not the judge, jury, or prosecutor. We just have to tell our story. We don't have to be Bible scholars to tell our story. Don't be afraid to say, "I don't know" when asked a question that you cannot answer. Tell them, "I don't know" -- and then go look it up and find out the answer.

Having said that, however, we still need to study the Word. We need to meditate on God's Word. He often will use the Bible to communicate with us. The devil is a powerful adversary. He will throw out objections that sound reasonable. Knowledge will help -- but we do not have to wait until we get that knowledge to start telling our story.

 

[reformedfan]

At least we should know some Bible stories that point to Christ, or how to tell the Gospel.

When I was a new convert, I didn't know how to share Christ, per say, but man I wanted to anyway! I used to be a devil worshipper! If there's forgiveness for me, there's the same for anyone!! But I just didn't know the 'elements' of the Gospel. (Which is a skill every Christian needs to be proficient at. Not everyone has to be a street corner evangelist, but every Christian does have to have something to say when God directs them to the perfect witnessing opportunity, a funeral, the guests are all sobbing, one is particularly tortured, singles you out as the 'religious one' & says, "Man, I'm so terrified to die, what's going to happen to me?" Standing there smiling uncomfortably mumbling, "Uh, I'm sure it'll all work out according to God's plan", while theologically correct, is the opposite of helpful, life changing information. )

So anyway, boo hoo, I was clueless, a Christian for 15 whole minutes or days or something. God dropped an evangelism opportunity into my lap, transporting a Spiritually curious girl on a 4 hour one way road trip to meet her husb who had come to work for mine. All I knew how to do was chatter on & on about the Bible stories I was teaching my kids. (I homeschool.) & she just lapped it up. That was important evangelism- not because I was sharing Christ with her, but because this isn't such a hard, terrifying thing to do. The scariest thing about evangelism is prior, when you're full of, "what if they ask me something I don't know?"
1. This is rare, heathens are clueless & need to be taught, that's why they're heathens still.
2. Do it anyway.

 

[clonenomore]

Not everyone has to be a street corner evangelist, but every Christian does have to have something to say when God directs them to the perfect witnessing opportunity, a funeral, the guests are all sobbing, one is particularly tortured, singles you out as the 'religious one' & says, "Man, I'm so terrified to die, what's going to happen to me?" Standing there smiling uncomfortably mumbling, "Uh, I'm sure it'll all work out according to God's plan", while theologically correct, is the opposite of helpful, life changing information.

First off, I want to say, what a testimony! You say that you were a "devil worshipper" -- well, welcome to the Kingdom of God. In my BC (before Christ) days I was leading people to hell as well, but I was professing to be a Christian when I did it.

Second, I agree that everyone needs to know what to say, but I would argue that every Christian has something to say -- they can tell their story! They know what Jesus has done for them -- tell people about it! Don't be afraid to say, "I don't know, but I do know this..." and then tell your story.

I also agree that the Gospel is important to know. But it is also easy to learn. The Gospel is very simple, and can be summed up in this, possibly the best known verse of all:

"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life." John 3:16 (The Message)

Jesus loved us so much that He came and lived as a human, He died for us and arose from the dead, and He wants us to be saved. Pretty simple!

Remember: Jesus loves us, He died for us, and He wants us to be saved.

It's important to be ready from Day 1 -- as you found out. God WILL send people to us that need to hear our story.

 

[reformedfan]

good summation, thanx for the summary too of the Gospel. What's missing, though is the reason for the need for Christ: our sin which has alienated us from a holy God who demands perfection. Maybe todays kids don't know what "sin" is, per say, nevertheless, if it weren't for the chasm that exists between us & God because of our sin, God could have picked a less bloody, repellant way to show His love, like make us all Bill Gates wealthy, or give us all a perfect life on earth or something.

 

[reformedfan]

First off, I want to say, what a testimony! You say that you were a "devil worshipper" -- well, welcome to the Kingdom of God. In my BC (before Christ) days I was leading people to hell as well, but I was professing to be a Christian when I did it.

No, I was really a satan worshipping, black candle buying, Anton LaVey reading devil worshipper, I wasn't being figurative, I was being wholly literal.

I recently tracked down a kid who used to witness to me & about gave him a heart attack when I emailed him the story of my conversion. He packed his family up & came out to visit us, a state away he was so stunned & shocked by the changes God has wrought. He's a pastor today, here's his forum:
http://webwatchdog.net/theologyforum/index.php

 

[PeteRomans11]

I think it is always a good thing to be knowledgeable in the Word.... but I think one can share the Love of Christ without being a Scripture expert.

I trust in the Holy Spirit to give me the right words when I am ministering. We are all works in progress and can always know Scripture better.


God Bless you all...

 

[clonenomore]

No, I was really a satan worshipping, black candle buying, Anton LaVey reading devil worshipper, I wasn't being figurative, I was being wholly literal.

I believed that you were being literal. The point that I was trying to make, that didn't come through as well in writing as it did in my thoughts, was that we were BOTH leading people to hell. However, while you were straightforward about where you stood, I was being deceitful by doing it while saying I was a Christian.

Again, I think that you have a powerful testimony, and I would like to hear more of it someday.

I trust in the Holy Spirit to give me the right words when I am ministering. We are all works in progress and can always know Scripture better.

This is what I was trying to say: God will tell us what to say, if we'll just let him. Look at Mark 1:16-17 (GW):

As He was going along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were throwing a net into the sea because they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, "Come, follow me! I will teach you how to catch people instead of fish."

Jesus says, "I will teach you..." I think that that goes beyond what we normally think of as "teach". I believe that it also means that Jesus will be there, telling us what to say, if we just take advantage of the times that God send folks our way to hear our story. We just have to drop our nets and follow Him, as Peter and Andrew did in verse 19.

 

[GloryBoundd]

James 3:1My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
Matthew 5:19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 7:5Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
2 Timothy 2:24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

How much knowledge of the bible must we know in order to witness / evangilize? How authoritative concerning the teaching of scripture must we be, specifically where believers differ in the matters of doctrine? We certainly would never want to teach someone to break any of the commandments. Yet, who among us is completely sure that 'their' doctrine is correct? Where does it end? How accurate must we be? I see an extreme level of activity discussing theology and doctrines, yet this forum is derelict. Perhaps we have misplaced priorities, yet second Timothy states that we should be able to teach. Does this mean we must teach men doctrine, or are we to just tell them to repent and never see them again?

Just some questions I've come to consider.

Though I have yet to put mine into words, even in my own mind, yours dear soul is a question that is closely related to mine.

Scripture states that, rightly dividing the Word, we are to teach, sharply rebuking those who oppose us. Titus 1:13. Yet we are also taught in 2Ti 2:24-26, that the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

How, pray tell can one "sharply rebuke" in a "gentle" manor?


When in doubt, once again I turn to Proverbs 3:5, for it is He, not my understanding which will get me into the presence of glory.

When professing the unleavened Word of God, I am often called arogant. Not that names bother me, but often they do make me think. Why does this person feel this way? Is there any truth in this persons comment?

I am not arogant, but I do believe without hesitation, that though man, in his infant wisdom would proclaim otherwise, the Word of God is never changing, and infalliable.

Then there is this thing called "interpretation." As far as I am concerned, the only interpretation scripture needed was from it's original language into mine. From that point, scripture is its own interpretor.

Only too often is the agenda of those who would "interpret" scripture so evident. In his book, "The Merciful God of prophesy," Tim La Haye brings this into prespective with the following statement; "This person wants to jettison what he considers ancient "mythology" for a more contemporary one. After all, how could the ancients possiably be expected to comprehend such profound mysteries? They didn't have todays scholars to guide them."

 

[DarkGalaxy]

Only witness on the level you are capable of. God uses people who have just taken the baby step of becoming a believer, and I have seen this happen with my own eyes. He used their enthusiasm, and their first realization of God's astounding love to brings others to Himself. It is possible, but one should not reach outside of their capabilities to witness to others. First of all, they will be discouraged themselves. Another thing I have come to realize is for the most part I never had to seek others to witness, for God brought them to me. That is how I know it is what God wanted me to do.

 

[WITNESS8]

Just know the gospel.
Paul said he did not use persuasive words but spoke the gospel of Christ in plainness.


Check out www.wayofthemaster.com



IN HIM

 

[Saruman]

Hopefully, after we study the Gospel, the Holy Spirit will shape the words we use to others.

 

[arrowhead]

As far as I understand "witnessing" it means when you show yourself to be of God and you show God to people, representing Him. You should pray - ask God for the words, and for the wisdom and knowledge. Study the Bible - Paul said somewhere that you should know God's Word so you can answer the questions people ask you. Also so you can be sure you aren't misleading someone by accident.

Other than that - I think what you need to be more concerned about would be - pursue a deeper relationship with God. Through personal quiet times, worship, Bible, prayer, or whatever else you can think of. But the final answer is - you wanna tell people about God you're gonna have to know God. So seek God with all your heart. Witness by living a life that pleases Him - that is the most effective witness you can give - live the life. Rely on God's Holy Spirit and pursue a deeper relationship with Him - and as you grow and submit yourself to Him, He'll guide you in your witnessing and I dunno - you'll know what to do.

 

[arrowhead]

Only witness on the level you are capable of. God uses people who have just taken the baby step of becoming a believer, and I have seen this happen with my own eyes. He used their enthusiasm, and their first realization of God's astounding love to brings others to Himself. It is possible, but one should not reach outside of their capabilities to witness to others. First of all, they will be discouraged themselves. Another thing I have come to realize is for the most part I never had to seek others to witness, for God brought them to me. That is how I know it is what God wanted me to do.

Yeh I've read so often on this forum that "God brought them to me" etc but I'm never really sure myself - as in if that's happened to me... I know God put my ex-boyfriend on my heart cus I cried for his salvation before we were even friends and have never met in person! - and since then cus I went out with him then broke it off cus it really wasn't right with God - now whenever I talk about my first ever relationship I have to explain why and God comes in and we start a mini God discussion... Dunno if it's God - might be...