1) Present Jesus Christ as the central focus and attraction before testing truths or asking people to accept doctrines.
2) Teach truth gradually over multiple lessons rather than expecting people to accept the entire package at once.
3) Make regular appeals throughout lessons for people to surrender their lives to Jesus.
18. “Jesus bade them two and two
through the towns and villages.
None were sent forth alone, but
brother was associated with
brother, friend with friend. Thus
they could help and encourage
each other, counseling and
19. “Together, each one’s strength
supplementing the other’s
weakness… It was the Saviour’s
purpose that the messengers of
the gospel should be associated in
this way. In our own time
evangelistic work would be far
more successful if this example
28. “The third angel’s message
calls for the presentation of
the Sabbath of the fourth
commandment, and this truth
brought before the
world; but the great Center of
attraction, Jesus Christ,
left out of the third
50. Gestures
Speak clearly. Don’t be mono-tone.
Vary your voice according what you
are saying. Don’t shout in delicate
moments.
51. 3 Parts of Bible Study
1. Social Time (8-10 mins.)
52. 3 Parts of Bible Study
2. Study Time (30-45 minutes)
1. Social Time (8-10 minutes)
53. 3 Parts of Bible Study
1. Social Time (8-10 minutes)
2. Study Time (30-45 minutes)
3. Appeal and Decision time (5 minutes)
54. How to make an Interactive
Study
1. Use your illustrations, stories,
and personal testimonies to keep
the Bible study interesting.
2. Add comments and ask questions to
encourage interaction and discussion.
55. How to make an Interactive
Study
3. Emphasize the most important
points in the lesson.
4. Ask them specific questions as
you proceed to make sure they
understand.
Good Morning Church and Welcome to the first topic of our seminar. Mature Witnessing and How to give Bible Studies.
How should a mature witness dress?
Your dress should neither look like you just came from church, nor that you came from a picnic in the park. Clean dress shoes or nice sandals, nice dress pants (no jeans) and a nice button up shirt for men is fine.
Women should wear a nice, ironed skirt and blouse or polo. If you dress too formally, it will frighten people and if you dress to casually, it will hinder your gaining respect and confidence.
The Mature Witness keeps a Record of his/her Interests’ Information, progress…
A mature witness communicates the grace of God. Like Jesus do NOT SIMPLY SPEAK ABOUT THE GRACE OF GOD. He actually COMMUNICATED THE GRACE OF GOD. Gracious words proceeded out of His mouth. You are to understand that we are sent out to COMMUNICATE THE GRACE OF GOD.
Apostle Paul reminds us to let your speech always be with grace Col. 4:6, Let us go to that text.
A Parallel Text, “Teach and admonish one another with grace in your hearts.” Col. 3:16, AND IMPART GRACE TO THE HEARERS.
Even the word of judgment should be communicated with grace in our hearts.
A mature witness have a genuine interest in your neighbor as a person and not just simply as an evangelistic target.
Be Enthusiastic.
In proportion to the enthusiasm and perseverance with which the work is carried forward, will be the success given." Prophets and kings, p. 263.
A mature witness is positive about the Scripture:
THE SCRIPTURE IS TRUTH. DON'T BE THE LEAST HESITANT ABOUT THE TRUTHFULNESS OF THE WORD OF GOD.
“Jesus taught the Scriptures as of unquestionable authority." D. A p. 253.
DON’T FORGET: 'Our work has been marked out for us by our heavenly Father. We are to take our Bibles and go forth to warn the world. Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 150.
Don’t pose as an authority on the Bible. What do we mean by this and what does it do?
1. Be a learner along with the student so he will feel relaxed with you. tell Him you are studying the Bible too.
2. This will take a load off your shoulders, because he won't expect you to know everything.
“EVERY TIME WE FACE OUR FEARS AND FORCE OURSELVES TO ACT IN SPITE OF OUR FEARS, WE BECOME STRONGER AND ACQUIRE NEW POWER. FEAR OVERCAME BRINGS POWER.”
So that’s all about mature witnessing. Now we are going to proceed to the second half of this presentation, the How to give Bible Studies.
There are seven most vital principles I’ll present to you on giving Bible Studies.
It is always best to have a partner to work with you. This is the method Jesus used when He sent out the disciples and it is still helpful in this context.
Let’s read from Eccl. 4:9-12. “Two are better than one; … For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow:… And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Obviously two are much better than just one!
“Jesus bade them go out two and two through the towns and villages. None were sent forth alone, but brother was associated with brother, friend with friend. Thus they could help and en-courage each other, counseling and praying
“…together, each one’s strength supple-menting the other’s weakness… It was the Savior’s purpose that the messengers of the gospel should be associated in this way. In our own time evangelistic work would be far more successful if this example were more closely followed.”
Be on time for your study. Faithfully stick to your schedules. Never be late. Don’t stay beyond the study time in your interests home for it will weary them and they may have other things to do.
Make sure that as you give Bible Studies you will look up the text from the Bible. Read the texts from the Bible,
a. You will be tempted when people learn you are a SDA and ask you, “I understand that...
- Church members in crusades, zealous to share with attendees bt. Sab
- You may be tempted to answer questions on doctrine B4 your contact has accepted Christ.
But if they come to Christ & find in Jesus the ONE that loves their soul, & forgiveness 4 sin, & if transforming Christ lives within their life & they desire to please Christ, then they will accept testing-truth because they love Jesus.
@ Personal test. - Knew testing truths, but I didn’t know Jesus = rebellion
- If they truly love Jesus, they will readily accept Bible truths & doctrines, because they want to please Jesus.
Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” We keep the Sabbath bcz. we love Jesus…
“You are bought with a price…” We protect our health bcz. we belong to Jesus…
HOW CAN I PRESENT JESUS IN THIS TOPIC?
HOW CAN I PRESENT JESUS IN THIS TOPIC? – Sabbath... / Death... / Hell... / Health...
Sabbath – Lord of Sabbath / Jesus made the Sabbath for man / our “DATE” with Jesus / Wife’s birthday...
Death – Jesus is the “life-giver” / He has the KEYS / Story of mother w. 3 little girls...
Hell – Jesus is JUST / Takes no delight in punishing the wicked / Paid the penality so that you can be saved / John 3:16
Health – You were BOUGHT with a price / take care of your body bcz. Jesus paid SO MUCH for you / Jesus never asks you to give up what is GOOD for you / He wants you to be happy – can’t be if sick!
So that’s the 5th Principle.
You don’t want to overwhelm your Bible Student. Even when you study with them once in a week, follow the blueprint for presenting the truth. Present the topic gradually. One at a time.
What if they ask me about the Mark of the Beast on the first study. I should share it to them right? NO!
Suppose I’m on my second study with someone and they ask me the questions, “Who is the Anti-Christ?” That’s a good question, right?
So I stop my study and I take them to that study, right? Is that what I do? No!
Let me ask you, How do you build a house? FROM THE BOTTOM UP – THE FOUNDATION FIRST.
Make “mini appeals” in every study you present. This will bring the student to the point of decision. They are to appropriate the truths they have known from the word of the Lord.
Remember, READ THE PRINCIPLE FROM THE SCREEN…
Example: FOR THE TOPIC ON THE BIBLE How would you appeal? What would your decision question be?
“Do you desire the Bible to be a guide for your life today?”
How about FOR THE TOPIC ON SECOND COMING.
“Do you want to be ready for Jesus when He comes?”
Principles
Take a prayer partner with you
Be on time and stay on time
Look at the text from the Bible
Present Jesus first before Testing Truth
Present Jesus in every topic
Present truth gradually
Make regular appeals
Now let us consider the appropriate gestures when giving Bible Studies
Smile. Look people in the eye.
Don’t Slump. Sit Straight. Your position should be appropriate as you are going to proclaim the truths that are heaven-borne.
Don’t be monotone. Now I can’t tell you this and all of a sudden, you’re not going to be monotone. But I’m letting you know that for those of you that might be monotone, that it’s not a good thing.
YOU NEED TO WORK ON VARYING YOUR VOICE. WHEN YOU’RE EXCITED ABOUT SOMETHING, YOUR VOICE SHOULD GO UP A LITTLE BIT. IF YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING SOLEMN, YOU SHOULD BE MORE SERIOUS AND CALM. But vary your voice. Have clear objectives. We’ve talked about that and done that.
What are the 3 Parts of Bible Study?
1. Social time