Communication and Conviction PDF

3 COMMUNICATION AND CONVICTION The previous lesson dealt with the first two of the five stages of witnessing. What were they? 1. 2. This lesson deals with the next two stages: sharing your testimony and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. oe...

3 COMMUNICATION AND CONVICTION The previous lesson dealt with the first two of the five stages of witnessing. What were they? 1. 2. This lesson deals with the next two stages: sharing your testimony and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. oe vor What does it mean to snare youI testimony? t After a relationship has been established, you can then begin the person's spiritual interest by steering your discussion toward God's character and work. At this point, the unbeliever may become aware of his need and begin to ask questions. Whether or not thequestions come, however, you should continue to let the person hear what Christ means to your life. Read the following verses and state what they teach about communicating Christ. 1. Romans 10:17 2. 1 Corinthians 2:1-2 3. Acts 4:20 List several things Christ has done for you that you can share with an unbeliever. Be specific, and use language understandable by someone who hasn't spent much time in a church. 24 Have you shared this testimony with someone who doesn't know Christ? Think of the last time you told someone what Christ meant to you. What happened? Note Paul's preaching in each of the following texts, and state the theme or major subject of each message and the results. 1. What was the theme of Acts 13:14-45? What were the results? 2. Read Acts 16:25-36. In verse 25, how did Paul and Silas let others know that Christ was important to them? In verses 26-28, what opportunity did God give Paul and Silas to share Christ? Afterward, how did they share Him? Note who asked the questions. 25  3. What was the theme of Acts 17:19-34? What were the results? 4. What was the theme of Acts 22:1-23? What wwere the results? Paul had some story to tell, but I dont have anything exciting like that to share. ButChrist's work is exciting in the lifeof any Christian. We may think that if were not an ex-felon or rehabilitated drug addict, we don't have anything great to talk about. But if we've accepted Christ, He has rescued us from untold horrorsand to wondrous grace. Take the next few minutes to think about what Christ has done for you, then write your testimony in the space below. My Testimony Date I accepted Christ: Place: How He saved me: Circumnstances He used to show me my need for Him: 26  Details of my last hour as an unbeliever: Changes Ihave seen in nmy life which can only be explained by Christ's work: What He means to me now: The kind of person that could relate to mny testimony: THE SPIRIT OF GOD MUST CONVICT THE LOST According to John 16:7-11, who is the Comforter, or Helper, or Advocate, mentioned in verse 7? According to this chapter, what does He do? 27  conviction. Only He can Onlythe Holy Spirit can bring Christ. people that they need to trust convince SoI can't argue a person into being aChristian, can 1e That's exactly right. Arguing with people will only make them defensive. They'l be too busy coming up with arguments to listen to you share Christ. As you witness, yOu may find yourself : who has some intense discussions, with someone Lot ofquesS- concerns, but you must always speak the truth in tions and yourself right. love, not out of a desire toprove How do Iget the Spirit to work in a person? You can't. The only thing we can do is present the Word of God and pray. We can show people the truth about their condition and we can share what Christ has done for us. But the Holy Spirit must do the rest. Only He can burden someone with his need for God, and Hell do so in His own timing. According to Romans 1:16, what is the power of God? In other words, as we tell people about Christ and show them the Word of God, the Spirit uses the Word to work in the unbeliever's heart. Never forget: it is not our words that the Spirit uses to convict, but Hisown. Complete This Section Without Looking Back at the Lesson 1. Name the four stages of witnessing discussed so far. 28  2. Who alone can convict the lost of their need of Christ? 3. What is our responsibility in witnessing? 4. Finish this statement: It is not our words Verse to Memorize Romans 1:16 29