“All Zeal, But NO Skill!”

1. “All Zeal, But NO Skill!” Witnessing 101 Minister Rayvann Kee II, M.A. Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. International Convention, August 10th, 2012 I.P.Y.P.U. Evangelism

2. “All Zeal, But NO Skill!” Objectives: • To understand the importance of witnessing • To understand the importance of and be able to assess the difference between “zeal” and “skill” • To learn how to improve “zeal” and/or “skill” in self and in others • To learn how to maintain a “zealous” and “skillful” evangelistic team and spirit.

3. Definitions • Zeal (n) – fervor for a person, cause, or object; eager desire or endeavor; enthusiastic diligence; ardor. • Skill (n) – 1. aptitude; ability. 2. expertness. 3. a trade or craft. • Witness (v) – 1. To see, hear, or know by personal presence or perception. 2. To testify to or afford evidence of. (n) The one doing the witnessing.

4. Our # 1 Responsibility “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and this it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. AND YE ARE MY WITNESSES OF THESE THINGS.” Luke 24:45-48 “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have SEEN and HEARD.” Acts 4:19-20

5. Witnessing… There are a myriad of ways to witness to the power of Jesus Christ!!! It is not just about walking up to individuals and handing them a track!!! You can witness to others and not have to say a word! Acts 4:33 – “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.”

6. Witnessing Continued… Acts 1:8 – “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holyghost has come upon you: and ye shall be WITNESSES unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. The prerequisite to being a WITNESS is having the POWER, which is the Holyghost! The POWER is both: 1) Ability and 2) Authority

7. What does one need to have once they have the power? In order to be an effective witness and soul winner, one must have both: • Zeal (The right attitude) • Skill (Proper training and right amount of training) One CANNOT have (1) and not the other and expect to be an EFFECTIVE WITNESS or SOUL WINNER! One must have both!

8. Lacking Zeal? Lacking Skill? Lacking Both? As one who develops disciples or leads evangelism teams/team members, it is his or her responsibility to ASSESS what’s going on with members or the team that appear to be rendering them ineffective. • Do they have the POWER? • Do they have the right attitude/motivation? • Do they have the right skill set and enough of a that skill set?

9. Lacking Zeal? Lacking Skill? Lacking Both? Continued… By making a quick, thorough, and accurate assessment of what the issue(s) is(are), the one discipling or leading the team can quickly move to either: • Counseling • Coaching • Combination of Counseling & Coaching

10. If The Witness Lacks Zeal Problem: Does not have the right attitude Symptoms: • No enthusiasm/no fervor/no passion • No intrinsic motivation/someone always has to beg them • Feels no value in what they are doing • Concerned about their person interests and desires and/or fears

11. If The Witness Lacks Zeal Continued… Behaviors: • Nonchalant approach to others • Lack of genuineness • Slothful/Slow to move • Insensitive to the Spirit • Divisive • Likely to drive soul away • Likely to abandon the assignment Treatment: COUNSELING Goal: Absolve Ambiguity Scriptural Example: Acts 15:36 – 41

12. If The Witness Lacks Skill Problem: Does not have sufficient or the appropriate training. Symptoms: • Unsubmissive • Coercive/Forceful • Unstable in doctrine • Impulsive • Prideful/Egoistic • Unknowledgeable/Unwise

13. If The Witness Lacks Skill Continued… Behaviors: • Intrusive • Dogmatic • Annoying • Confusing • Likely to overrun a more seasoned witness • Likely to dig him or herself in a hole and misrepresent the gospel • Likely to damage rapport/relationship

14. If The Witness Lacks Skill Continued… Treatment: COACHING Goal: To improve/add to/polish current skill set level. Acts 4:13 – “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”

15. COUNSELING? WHY? • Witness has not embraced the idea that he or she has power and authority • Witness may have low self-esteem or low self-worth • Witness may fear rejection • Witness may have very little faith • Witness may be embarrassed of some “deficit” (ie., speech impediment, no experience, no big testimony) • Witness may have fear of appearing “stupid” and left “hangin” • Witness may be not see the “joy of suffering”

16. COUNSEL THE WITNESS! Find out where the attitude comes from!!! • What happened? • What is s/he thinking when it is time to show/talk about what God has done? • What does s/he feel s/he is expected to do as a witness? • What outcome does s/he feel s/he should have? • What does s/he expect to get out of being a witness? COUNSELING ALWAYS INCLUDES EDUCATING

17. COACHING? WHY? Assess, Train, & Test!!!! • Does the person have the competencies for a particular manner of witnessing? • Everyone will not be a spokesperson! • Everyone will not be a street evangelist! • Everyone will not all witness the exact same way and thus will require different skill sets at differing levels. • Competencies must be aligned with mode and assignment! DO WHAT YOU DO, AND DO IT WELL!

18. Biblical Examples Of Skills • Peter preached – Acts 2:14 – 40 • Stephen worked miracles – Acts 6:8 • Phillip asked questions – Acts 8:29 – 39 • Paul & Silas sang & prayed – Acts 16:25 – 34 • Aquila and Priscilla expounded – Acts 18:24 – 28 • Paul acknowledge what others already had – Acts 19: 1 – 7 • 7 Frauds failed at imitating God’s power – Acts 19:13 – 20 • Paul shared his testimony – Acts 26:1 – 28

19. The 12 Disciples “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to BECOME the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” St. John 1:12 “And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to BECOME fishers of men.” Mark 1:17 “Beginning from the baptism of John, unto the same day that he [Jesus] was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.” Acts 1:22

20. The 12 Disciples Continued… “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:42 In the case of the Apostles: • They had 3.5 years of rigorous hands-on training with Jesus • Their training was both didactic and practical • They had opportunities to “try it out” • They had a model and had to be open to feedback • They understood that “failing” was part of the learning process • Jesus emphasized sensitivity to and being led of the Spirit, as well as wisdom and relationship (Task vs. Relationship)

21. The Outcome(s) of Zealous and Skillful Witnessing as reported by God’s Word! • 12 Apostles continued the work of Christ • 120 filled with the Spirit in the upper room • 3000 added after a “trial sermon” • 5000 more added shortly thereafter • Households saved in one sitting • Blasphemers converted • Preachers persuaded • Jail staff and their households saved • Disciples from another denomination saved • Political figures and royalty saved • Churches planted • Cities turned upside down

22. Formula POWER (APTITUDE & AUTHORITY) + ZEAL + SKILLS = APOSTOLIC RESULTS

23. Character Analysis The difference between counseling (no zeal) and coaching (no skill) can be seen in the life of 2 biblical characters: • Suffragan Bishop Timothy • Apostle-Elect Simon Peter Who needed what and why?

24. QUESTIONS? ? God Bless