“Called to the Witness Stand” Discussion Guide

Main Thought

A witness is someone who testifies about what they have seen or heard. God calls us to be witnesses; people who share what Jesus did for us. “Witness” is not merely an activity. It is an important part of our God-given identity. Living as a witness will give our lives on earth a lasting, eternal impact. We become effective witnesses, in part, as people close by see a change in our lives. Unchurched people need more than principles explained - they need a person to experience. We can invite these people to experience Jesus in church, in a Community Group, and through us. It can be difficult to invite someone to experience Jesus. One effective way to look for opportunities is to listen for the “Three ‘Not’ Cues.” They are:

  1. Things are not going well.
  2. I was not prepared for something to happen.
  3. I am not attending a church.

Main Passages

8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
- Acts 1:8
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
- 1 Peter 2:9-10
35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.
- John 4:38

Discussion

  1. Every Christian is called to be a witness. What’s one thing you have “witnessed” God do in your life recently? How does that reveal God’s goodness?
  2. What is the biggest obstacle you face in regards to inviting someone to experience Jesus? How might you partner with God, and even your Community Group, to overcome that obstacle and live out your identity as a witness?
  3. Think about people close to you (relationally, geographically, situationally, etc.). Who might one of the “Three ‘Not’ Cues” apply to? Pray for opportunities to make an invitation this week.