Friendship Evangelism Pt 2 - Member

FRIENDSHIP EVANGELISM – Part 2

YOUNG ADULT CELLS MAR 2006

FRIENDSHIP EVANGELISM

Member’s Notes

I. Introduction In last week lesson, we learn that friendship evangelism is the most effective way to win our friends to Christ. We looked into some biblical basis for friendship evangelism and see how Jesus initiates conversation and present the truth about Himself. In this week lesson, we will learn how we can evangelize our friends, namely through our ______________________.

II. The First Step in Friendship Evangelism

Learning Outcomes: Understanding, Skill Objective: At the end of this lesson, you will be able to: • Write a three-minute personal testimony for evangelistic purpose. • Practise sharing your testimony to someone in the cell.

A common reason for not sharing the gospel is not knowing how. As a believer, commit to adopting a clear method of presenting the gospel. Some of the people think that a method makes them “canned” or impersonal. People who are highly effective in evangelism use a particular method. A clear approach actually makes you more personal because you already know what you will say regarding the Gospel, and you are freed up to enjoy the person with whom you are talking to. The first step in friendship evangelism is to carve out your personal testimony. Sharing your personal testimony is non-threatening to your friends and provides a platform for you to share the Gospel. Nobody can argue with your personal experiences with God. A careful prepared testimony, given in the power of the Holy Spirit can be of immediate and effective use in nearly every witnessing situation.

III. How to Prepare a Three-Minute Testimony 1. Ask the Lord to give you _____________ and ___________ as you write. (James 1:5,6) 2. Follow a 3-point outline: “My Life with Christ.” I. Life before knowing Christ II.How you came to know Christ (be specific) III.Life after you received Christ (changes He has made and what He means to you now.) If you come from a Christian family and does not recall any conversion experience, follow the below outline: I. Any specific crisis situations in your life or family? II.How did knowing Jesus make a difference in that situation? III.What does knowing Jesus mean to you in your everyday life? 3. Begin with an interesting ____________________ sentence and close with a ___________ conclusion. Include relevant, thought-provoking, secular facts and experiences. 4. Write in such a way that others will feel ______________ with you in __________ and present experiences. 5. Give enough ______________ to arouse interest. 6. Use at least _________, but at most _________ Scripture verses. 7. Edit _______________ and rewrite as necessary before the final draft. 8. Choose something characteristics of your experience that is of general interest to non-Christians. Build your testimony around a __________ , for example, success, life’s best, money, dreams of the future, God’s plan for me, what I want most of life, desire to help others, etc. 9. Emphasize how the Lord make a ______________in your life. Member’s Notes page 1 of 5

FRIENDSHIP EVANGELISM – Part 2

YOUNG ADULT CELLS MAR 2006

10.Remember, the same Christ lives in you, whether you trusted Him early or later in life. Do not be concerned that your testimony be exciting, just that it be _______________________. 11.Be __________________. Christ does not eliminate all the problems of life, but enables you to live them out with peace and confidence. 12.Be ___________________, not negative, from start to finish. 13.Give your testimony in a group situation the same as you would to an _______________________________.

IV. Pitfalls to Avoid 1. Making statements which reflect __________________ on the Church and other organizations or people. 2. Preaching at _____________. Use your natural speaking voice. This is a testimony, not a “preachimony”. 3. Using ________________. 4. Speaking with such ___________volume that you cannot be readily heard. 5. Speaking in glittering generalities or using words that are ____________ to non-Christians. Terms like “salvation”, “saved”, “born again” and “sin” etc needs to be explained. 6. Using poor _______________, or exhibiting nervous habits (especially with your hands). 7. Talking as you __________ to and fro in your seat. 8. Being _________________. (Adhere strictly to the time schedule).

V. How to Share Your Testimony Effectively 1. Share your testimony with loving _________________ in the power of the Holy Spirit. 2. Speak loudly and clearly in a natural, __________ tone of voice.

3. Avoid

_________________ when you speak, such as rubbing your nose, jingling coins in your pocket, swaying etc.

4. Avoid

________________ and other high pressure methods of getting a “decision” for Christ.

5. __________ often. Ask the Lord to give you a happy, radiant countenance. 6. ________________ your testimony and ______________ it until it becomes natural. 7. ____________ the openness of your friend. If he is interested to know more, proceed to share the _____________. 8. _____________ for your friend as you shares and ask God for insights to issues pertaining to him/her.

Member’s Notes page 2 of 5

FRIENDSHIP EVANGELISM – Part 2

YOUNG ADULT CELLS MAR 2006

V I. C o n cl u si o n Look through the sample testimony attached. Spend some time to think and write your personal 3-minute testimony and practise sharing it with someone in the cell. 0.5

Sample Testimony Life Before

When I was younger, I was rebelling against my parents by deliberately doing things I know they did not approve of. Yet deep down inside of me, my conscience tells me that I should not steal, tell lies, and do those things that hurt my parents, my friends and myself.

(Life Concept Illustrated)

I hated the things I did and wanted to change but the more I tried, the worst I became. I felt powerless and hopeless in my struggles to change. In fact, I felt a tremendous amount of guilt over my rebellion and disobedience. There was so much guilt in me that there are times I would wake up in the middle of the night, bearing out in cold sweat and gripped by fear that if I die before things are made right, what would happen to me?

Theme: Dealing with Guilt.

Receiving Jesus Scriptures used: Rom 5:8 Rom 8:1

One day, a friend came to me and spoke to me about Jesus Christ. I did not believe at first but he challenged me to test God out. During this time when I was searching, I learnt that he came to die for my sins and I could experience eternal life in him. Not only that, I learnt that He loves me unconditionally. For the Bible says that “very rarely will anyone dare to die even for a righteous man, but God demonstrated in love for us in this: While we are still sinners, Christ died for us.” I began to open my heart and as I received Jesus, a flood of light came into my life. A great sense of joy overcame me as I receive the unconditional love of God. I know that Jesus had taken away my guilt and shame for the Bible says that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Life Since

That was 3 years ago.

(Life Concept Illustrated)

Since knowing Jesus Christ, all my guilt have been dealt with. I have peace and I am no longer terrified by the anxieties about life and death because I know I have eternal life in Christ Jesus. I also have a greater purpose in life knowing that God is always there to help me through this life. Becoming a Christian doesn’t mean that I will not have any problem in this world, but I know that God is always there to help me. It is the greatest thing that ever happened to me.

Theme: Peace with God And purpose in life.

Now, may I ask you a question? Member’s Notes page 3 of 5

FRIENDSHIP EVANGELISM – Part 2

YOUNG ADULT CELLS MAR 2006

How NOT to give a Personal Testimony. I was unsaved and needed to be saved. I was blessed when the Holy Spirit spoke and I was born-again. My conversion happened when I put my faith in Jesus Christ, my LORD, God and Messiah who died for the sins of the whole world. Praise God! Hallelujah! Amen! I received salvation when I believed in the Gospel and was washed by the blood of the Lamb of God according to the book of Revelation. I was persecuted and even lost all my friends and my job. Praise Jesus! The Devil has been after me ever since. Praise His wonderful name! The trails and tribulations are unbearable. I just hope that I can hold on until Jesus Christ appears in the rapture and then maybe I will be able to go to heaven. All praise and glory be given to Jesus forever and ever. Amen!

Personal Testimony Worksheet Name: Date: Step 1: Life before/Crisis Situation

Cell Group:

Step 2: Receiving Jesus/How knowing Jesus helped

Step 3: Life after knowing Jesus/What Jesus meant in everyday life Member’s Notes page 4 of 5

FRIENDSHIP EVANGELISM – Part 2

YOUNG ADULT CELLS MAR 2006

Member’s Notes page 5 of 5