This Material Is Based On

2. This Material Is Based On The Book Share Jesus Without Fear By William Fay & Ralph Hodge

3. “The Starfish Story” • “Well I sure made a difference for that one” • Just like that single starfish, the world for one person can change every time you share the gospel

4. Developing a Heart to Share Jesus • Recall some of the times you spoke about Christ • Five questions, Seven Verses & Five additional questions • After this course, you will have the confidence • Witnessing should be a normal part of our life, • God is at work in people all around us • Our part is to be obedient

5. A Barrier To Sharing Christ • Think of one person (co-worker, family member, etc) whom you feel is the least likely person to become a Christian • What is it about some people which makes us feel they are so unlikely to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior?

6. Are We to Witness? Christ’s first instructions to His new followers were: “Come follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Mark 1:17) His last instructions to His disciples were: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

7. Many Christians do Not Know How • To share their faith • Many have tried and received a negative reaction • Felt rejected and thought they failed • As a result they do not witness anymore and now feel guilty about it

8. The Sin of Silence Is there a sin of silence when we say nothing? • Is anybody here guilty of the sin of silence? • Maybe - someone else can speak to this person about Christ

9. The Sin of Silence is a Deadly Sin • Can we recall the times we chose to be silent? • The Apostle Peter thought it made sense not to put himself in danger • Many of us have also decided not to risk being rejected, embarrassed or persecuted. • Why do we choose to be silent?

10. “Share Jesus Without Fear” • Will show you how to be free from failure when witnessing to those who are spiritually lost. • You will learn that success is more than leading someone to Christ. • Success is living the Christian life day by day, sharing the gospel and trusting God for the results.

11. What Is Success In Witnessing? • How many of you thought that success in witnessing is bringing someone to the point of a decision for Christ? • Success in witnessing is living out my Christian life, sharing the gospel and trusting God for the results

12. Gideon & Moses were reluctant to go • Gideon’s Objections were: “But Lord how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh and I am the least in my family.” (Judges 6:15) • Yet with nothing more than faith in God and in partnership with Him, Gideon was to accomplish God’s mission with only 300 men against an opposing army of approx. 120,000

13. Moses Initial Reaction to God • He didn’t have the position or stature to approach a powerful Pharaoh (Ex 3:11-12) • The people won’t believe his story (Ex 4:1-9) • That he isn’t a good speaker and can’t talk easily or say the right things (Ex 4:10-12) • Does that sound familiar?

14. (Exodus 3:12) God Says “I will be with you” • Moses overlooked, God’s promise • Many Christians today overlook this promise • Jesus command in the Bible in Matthew 28:19 says “Go and make Disciples”

15. Why Are We Afraid To Share? • 1. Fear of rejection • 2. I don’t know enough • 3. What if people will get offended • 4. I’m uncomfortable sharing at work • 5. My life is not what it ought to be • 6. What if I get ridiculed for sharing • 7. I’m not good at evangelism

16. Why Are We Afraid To Share • 8. Fear of confrontation • 9. Embarrassment • 10. Complacency • 11. Bad past experiences • 12. More responsibilities • 13. I won’t be liked • What can enable us to overcome these fears?

17. You Will Likely be One of Several • Christians in the lost persons life • On average it takes 7 or 8 times after hearing the gospel before someone surrenders to Christ • You may be first touch • You may be #7 or even #10 or #30 for some • -- Or you may be the key that opens their heart

18. You can’t fail • If you’re faithful • The Bible will provide the answers • The Holy Spirit will provide the power • (John 16:7-8) says, “When He (the Holy Spirit) comes He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.”

19. Learning a Way to Share Jesus • Three Simple Steps • To Sharing Jesus Without Fear

20. And.. the Three Simple Steps Are 1.You will ask a person Five Questions to determine if God is working in a person’s life 2.The person will read seven verses from the Bible and explain what each verse means (if they give you permission to open your Bible) 3.You will then ask them Five additional Questions to lead them to the point of a decision for Christ • This method makes witnessing incredibly simple • It will help you to avoid unnecessary arguments

21. And... How do you avoid an argument? • What is the best way to avoid an argument? • Answer “By asking questions” • What should you not do? • Answer “Not comment or argue”

22. Just Ask Questions • No Memorizing of Scripture • However, we do recommend memorizing the questions • You are totally dependent upon the Holy Spirit using the Word of God • No one will be able to argue with you

23. The First Step • Is a series of five questions that will help you determine the person’s spiritual condition • You will sense if God is working in his/her life • These five questions will help you move a conversation toward spiritual concerns • It will help you to avoid talking more than you listen

24. The Five Questions • 1. Do you have any kind of spiritual belief? • 2. To you who is Jesus? • 3. Do you think there is a heaven and a hell? • 4. If you died right now, where would you go? • 5. If what you believe were not true, would you want to know it?

25. The First Question! 1. Do you have any type of spiritual belief? • Allow the person to bring their disbelief into the conversation • You should not attempt to clarify anything the person says • Just focus on attentive listening • Your only responses should be something like “Umm” or “Uh huh.”

26. The Second Question! 2. To you who is Jesus? • This is a question for “Religious” people to see if they actually have a personal relationship with Jesus. • Some will answer, He was a good man. • Or, the man who died on the cross • These answers do not indicate a personal relationship with Christ • A Christian would simply answer, “My Lord and my Savior.”

27. Does the Person Have A Personal Relationship With Jesus? Each one of us have to either accept or reject Him! • In Mat 16:13-16, Jesus asked, “But what about you? Who do you say that I am?”

28. Question Three! 3. Do you think there is a heaven and a hell? • This is also, a non-threatening question • You are opening an opportunity for him or her to talk about the subject of heaven and hell • Let them tell you what they believe • Let the Holy Spirit use this question to turn their heart toward Jesus

29. Question Four! 4. If you died right now, where would you go? • This requires a response from the heart • People get very serious when reflecting on the personal aspects of their lives • If the answer is “Heaven.” Ask, “Why would God let you in.” • The answer they give will open their heart to receive additional truth

30. Question Five! • If what you believe were not true would you want to know it? • If the answer is “Yes” proceed to step two (Reading the Bible verses) • If the answer is “No” then stop • When you become silent, they may want you to continue • However, if you get a firm “No” remember, he is using the freedom of choice that God gives

31. Seven Minute Break

32. The Second Step – Seven Bible Verses • This step provides a series of Bible verses to ask the lost person to read out loud • In (Luke 24:45) it says “Then He (Jesus) opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” • God uses Scripture to change people’s lives

33. The Rabbit Trail • Highlight and Mark Your Bible • This makes guiding them through the 7 verses of the Bible very simple • They will probably think you went to Bible college • Use a yellow highlighter,it is the easiest to see through

34. The Seven Verses to Let The Bible Speak 1. Romans 3:23 – The issue of sin 2. Romans 6:23 – The penalty of sin 3. John 3:3 – how to enter a relationship with Christ 4. John 14:6 – The narrowness of the gospel 5. Romans 10:9-11 – Anyone can be saved 6. 2nd Cor 5:15 – We must turn from and turn to 7. Revelation 3:20 – A choice to accept or reject

35. Two Important Principles To sharing your faith using verses from the Bible 1. “Hearing.” It is important to say, “Read the verse out loud.” and 2. “Ask the Question.” “What does it mean to you”? When the person has finished reading the verse * You are only in the page turning business * God’s Word does the convicting

36. Present What The Bible Says • If a person says “I don’t know what it means’” Just say read it again! • Don’t be to hasty explaining the Scripture Verse. • The purpose is to cause the person to think and for the Holy Spirit to continue convicting him of his spiritual emptiness.

37. Asking For A Decision………. Something that many Christians fear the most • Many lost people want to find a way to receive the promises of Scripture • They simply need someone to use the Bible to tell them how • Remember, the power of the Holy Spirit will have been working in the life of the lost person

38. The Five Closing Questions! • 1. Are you a sinner? • 2. Do you want forgiveness for your sins? • 3. Do you believe Jesus died on the cross for you and rose again? • 4. Are you willing to surrender your life to Christ? • 5. Are you ready to invite Jesus into your life and into your heart?

39. The Answer Is “Yes” or “No” • Remember……….. • You haven’t argued with or pressured the person • You have been a kind and thoughtful listener • Have faith that God will be at work • When you ask the final question: - be silent and pray • This is a crucial point in the witnessing process

40. Wait For Their Answer! • If a person has broken the silence with a simple “yes” or “I”m” ready. Then! • Kindly guide her to state specifically that she wants to invite Jesus into her life • Then offer to lead her in a prayer of repentance and faith

41. Jesus said “Today you will be with Me in Paradise” • Remember it is not the words they use that saves them • Deciding to trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior saves them. • The only words the thief on the cross spoke to enter heaven was “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” • God knew what was in his heart.

42. The “Why” Principal • Answer the “No” response with “why?” • It is important to ask “why” a person has decided to reject Christ • The real reasons are usually far deeper than what has been said • The simple question, “Why” provides an opportunity to deal with the issue • You can keep using “Why” to get to the real issue

43. Two common negative remarks about the Bible • 1. There are many errors in the Bible • Answer: Hand them your Bible and have them point out the errors • 2. There are many translations, how do you know which one is right • Answer: Did you know that each of these Christian versions all share the same intent?

44. “To Many Hypocrites In The Church!” Brings an immediate switch from why she isn’t ready, to a concern for hypocrites in the Church • Answer, “I have great comfort in the Bible teaching us that we are to follow Jesus, not people • I’ve also, come to realize that if I were to join a perfect church it would no longer be perfect

45. They Live A Sinful Life and Enjoy It • Answer: Suppose you are driving home tonight and you have an accident that takes your life • From what you’ve read in the Bible, since you died after deciding not too trust your life to Jesus, what will happen to you? • The usual response is an acknowledgment of “Hell” of where they would go.

46. “I Am Not Good Enough” • Answer: (Romans 10:13) “Everyone who calls on the name of Lord will be saved.” • You could say, “If a person is a murderer or a thief, do you think that verse includes him?” • Most people will say “Yes” • You can respond with, “Then can He forgive you?” The answer of course is “yes”

47. There Are Many Religions In The World Which one is right? All religions in the world can basically be divide into two groups • Christianity on one hand • All other religions on the other hand

48. Other Religions Make Two Claims • (a) That Jesus is not God. He may be a great prophet, teacher or good man but not the Messiah and • (b) That if you do enough good works through your own efforts, you can receive some form of salvation

49. Christianity Claims • That Jesus is God. • That God has come to us in the person of Jesus Christ who lived, died on the cross and rose from the grave, that we might have eternal life • Jesus has paid the price for our salvation • And….. That without a personal relationship with Christ we are all hopelessly lost

50. After Receiving Christ • You might say something like this! • Now that you are a believer • God wants you to be involved in a fellowship of believers • I would like to help you get started • If the person lives near your church, you will probably invite the person to go with you to your church