Lesson 19: Telling the Gospel — Witnessing about Christ

Introduction

We are approaching the end of this discipleship training. In the past eighteen lessons you have learned an enormous amount about God, about Jesus Christ, about the Holy Spirit, and about life as a disciple. But now we come to the point where everything leads: telling the gospel to others. For faith is not meant to be kept to yourself. It is good news — and good news must be shared!

Perhaps you feel nervous at the idea of speaking to others about your faith. Maybe you think: “I don't know enough,” or “I am not eloquent enough,” or “People don't want to hear it.” But God does not ask for perfection — He asks for obedience. And He promises you His power and His presence when you witness.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek.

The gospel is no weak story. It is the power of God! When you tell the gospel, God's power is released. It is not your eloquence that saves people — it is God's power working through the gospel. That may give you enormous boldness.

1. The Great Commission

The last words of Jesus before He went to heaven are of crucial importance. They were no casual remarks — it was His last, most urgent commission to His followers:

Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Mark 16:15-18 He said to them, “Go into all the world, and preach the Good News to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new languages; they will take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will in no way hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

This is no suggestion — it is a commission. “Go!” Not: “Stay where you are and wait for someone to come to you.” Not: “Live your faith quietly and hope that someone notices.” No: go! Actively, consciously, with purpose. Go into the world and proclaim the gospel.

2. Power to witness

Before the disciples went out, Jesus gave them a promise that changed everything:

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.

The Holy Spirit is the power behind our witness. Without Him, we are weak, fearful and incompetent. With Him, we are bold, powerful and effective. Jesus did not say: “You must do your best to witness.” He said: “You will be my witnesses.” It is not only a commission, it is also a promise. The Holy Spirit in you will make sure that you witness.

We see this beautifully in the book of Acts. The same Peter who denied Jesus three times out of fear of a servant girl stood up on the day of Pentecost and preached with such power that three thousand people came to repentance (Acts 2:41). What was the difference? The Holy Spirit!

Acts 4:29-31 Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus. When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Pray for boldness! Pray for the filling with the Holy Spirit! And then: speak the Word of God. That is the recipe we see in the book of Acts time and again: prayer + Holy Spirit + the Word = powerful witness.

3. How the first Christians witnessed

After the persecution that broke out after the death of Stephen, the believers were scattered throughout the land. But what did they do? They did not stop witnessing — on the contrary!

Acts 8:4 Therefore those who were scattered abroad went around preaching the word.

Notice: it was not only the apostles who proclaimed the Word. It was ordinary believers — men and women who had left their homes because of persecution. Everywhere they went, they told about Jesus. Evangelism was no task for specialists — it was the lifestyle of every believer.

That may encourage us. You do not have to have completed Bible school. You do not have to be a theologian. You do not have to stand behind a pulpit. If you know Jesus and the Holy Spirit is in you, then you can witness. Just tell what God has done in your life!

Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled. They recognized that they had been with Jesus.

Peter and John were “unlearned and ignorant men” — but they had something that all learning cannot give: they had been with Jesus. That is the secret. If you walk with Jesus, people will notice it. Your words gain power, not through your knowledge, but through your relationship with Him.

The first Christians did not let themselves be stopped by opposition. When the Jewish leaders forbade them to speak in the Name of Jesus, they answered:

Acts 4:19-20 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves, for we can't help telling the things which we saw and heard.”

“We can't help telling” — the gospel burned in them like a fire that could not be quenched. That is the passion the Holy Spirit gives. It is not something you can produce by your own effort — it is a fire that the Spirit ignites in you when you live close to Jesus. The better you know Him, the more you want to tell about Him.

Perhaps you think: “But I don't have that passion.” That's okay. Don't start with passion — start with obedience. Do what Jesus says, and the passion will follow. Often the feeling comes only after the action. Go witness, and you will discover that the joy and the fire grow as you do more.

4. Philip and the eunuch: a model for evangelism

In Acts 8 we find a beautiful example of how evangelism can work. Philip was one of the seven deacons (Acts 6:5), not an apostle. But God used him in a special way:

Acts 8:26-31 An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise, and go toward the south to the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert.” He arose and went; and behold, there was a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship. He was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. The Spirit said to Philip, “Go near, and join yourself to this chariot.” Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” He said, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” He begged Philip to come up and sit with him.

Acts 8:35-39 Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him Jesus. As they went on the way, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from being baptized?” He commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and the eunuch didn't see him any more, for he went on his way rejoicing.

What can we learn from Philip?

• He was obedient to God's leading. The angel said: “Go toward the south.” Philip went, without knowing what was awaiting him.
• He listened to the Holy Spirit. The Spirit said: “Join yourself to this chariot.” Philip obeyed immediately.
• He began with a question. “Do you understand what you are reading?” He was not pushy, but sincerely interested.
• He proclaimed Jesus. Starting from the Scripture the man was reading, Philip led the conversation to Jesus. That is always the goal: to proclaim Jesus.
• The result was faith and baptism. The man came to faith, was baptized, and went on his way rejoicing.

5. Paul's testimony

Paul was a master at sharing his personal testimony. He did it time and again — before crowds, before kings, before judges. His testimony always had three parts: (1) his life before Christ, (2) his encounter with Christ, and (3) his life after Christ. Read his defense before King Agrippa:

Acts 26:9-11 I myself most certainly thought that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. I also did this in Jerusalem. I both shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them. Punishing them often in all the synagogues, I tried to make them blaspheme. Being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

Acts 26:12-15 Whereupon as I traveled to Damascus with the authority and commission from the chief priests, at noon, O king, I saw on the way a light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who traveled with me. When we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” I said, “Who are you, Lord?” He said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

Acts 26:19-20 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to them of Damascus, at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.”

Your personal testimony is a powerful weapon. No one can refute it, because it is your story. How was your life before you came to know Jesus? How did you meet Him? How has your life changed? You don't have to study that story — you have lived it. Just tell it!

Take time to write down your testimony. Keep it short — two to three minutes when you say it. Focus on the facts: what did God do in your life? Avoid Christian jargon that outsiders don't understand. Use ordinary language. And always end with Jesus — for it is not about you, but about Him.

A man born blind who had been healed by Jesus gave perhaps the simplest and most powerful testimony ever:

John 9:25 He therefore answered, “I don't know if he is a sinner. One thing I do know: that though I was blind, now I see.”

He could not answer all the theological questions. But he knew one thing: “I was blind and now I see.” That is enough. You don't have to have all the answers. You only have to tell what you know: “I was lost and now I am found. I was dead and now I live. I was bound and now I am free.”

6. Always ready to give an answer

As a Christian you may always be ready to tell about the hope that lives in you:

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear.

This verse contains three important elements:

• Sanctify God in your heart. It begins from within. If Christ is Lord in your heart, then that radiates outward.
• Always be ready. Not only on Sunday, not only in church, but always — at work, at the supermarket, on the train, at school, with the neighbors.
• With humility and fear. Not aggressively, not judgmentally, not pushily — but with respect, patience and love.

People notice when you are different. They notice when you have peace in the midst of storm. They notice when you are hopeful while the world despairs. And when they ask: “Why are you so different?” — that is your moment. Then you may tell about Jesus.

Matthew 5:16 Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

7. Do not be ashamed of the gospel

In our culture it can sometimes be difficult to speak openly about your faith. You may be laughed at, ignored or even treated with hostility. But Paul calls us not to be ashamed:

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek.

2 Timothy 1:8 Therefore don't be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but endure hardship for the Good News according to the power of God.

Jesus Himself warns seriously:

Mark 8:38 For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him, when he comes in his Father's glory, with the holy angels.

These are serious words. If we are ashamed of Jesus before people, He will be ashamed of us before His Father. But if we confess Him before people, He will confess us before His Father. The choice is yours: the approval of people or the approval of God?

Matthew 10:32-33 “Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven.”

Paul was not ashamed, even though it cost him his freedom, his reputation and ultimately his life. The first Christians were not ashamed, even though they were persecuted, imprisoned and killed. In our country you may be laughed at or ignored — that is nothing compared to what our brothers and sisters in other lands experience. Let us be bold. Let us not be ashamed. The gospel is the most precious gift the world has ever received, and it deserves to be proclaimed with pride.

The apostles were beaten and threatened, but see how they reacted:

Acts 5:41-42 They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus' name. Every day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ.

They were rejoicing that they were able to suffer dishonor for Jesus! And they did not stop. They went on, every day, everywhere. That is the attitude of a true witness of Christ.

8. Feet shod with the gospel

In the spiritual armor of Ephesians 6, the gospel is connected to our feet:

Ephesians 6:15 and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace.

Soldiers needed sturdy sandals to be able to march and stand firm on any terrain. So we need the gospel as our foundation — wherever we stand, wherever we go. The gospel is not only something we proclaim; it is something we wear, something we stand on, something that gives us stability.

“Preparation” is the key word. Your feet are always ready to go. You are always prepared to bring the gospel of peace. Whether it is a neighbor, a colleague, a stranger on the train, or a family member — you are shod with the gospel and ready to share it.

The gospel is specifically called here the “gospel of peace.” That is important. We do not come as accusers, not as judges, not as moral crusaders. We come as messengers of peace. Peace with God through the blood of Jesus Christ. Peace for the restless heart, peace for the weary soul, peace for the searching spirit. That is what we have to offer — the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

9. Sow and reap

Evangelism is like sowing and reaping. Not every conversation leads directly to conversion — and that is okay. Sometimes you sow a seed that only sprouts years later. Sometimes you reap where another has sown. It is God's work, not ours. We sow; God gives the growth.

Galatians 6:7-9 Don't be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don't give up.

Ecclesiastes 11:6 In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening don't withhold your hand; for you don't know which will prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both will be equally good.

Keep sowing! Morning and evening, in every circumstance. You don't know which seed will sprout. Maybe it is a single word, a Bible verse you share, a tract you give, a prayer you pray. God can let every small seed grow into a mighty tree of faith.

Sometimes you sow with tears. Sometimes it is difficult and seems fruitless. But God's Word promises:

Psalm 126:5-6 Those who sow in tears will reap in joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed for sowing, will certainly come again with joy, carrying his sheaves.

Sow with tears, reap with joy! If you share the gospel and it seems no one is listening, if you weep over the hardness of hearts, if you are about to lose courage — then remember this promise. The harvest is coming. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but the harvest is coming. God is faithful to His Word.

1 Corinthians 3:6-7 I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

It is liberating to know that the results do not depend on you. You plant, someone else waters, but God gives the growth. Your task is to be faithful in sowing — the harvest is up to God.

10. Practical: how do you start a conversation?

Theory is fine, but how do you do it in practice? Here are some handles:

Sharing your testimony

Your personal testimony is your most powerful weapon. Prepare a short version (2-3 minutes) with three parts:

• How was your life before Jesus?
• How did you meet Jesus?
• How has your life changed?

Practice it out loud. Tell it to a friend, a fellow believer, your mentor. The more often you tell it, the more natural it becomes.

Asking questions

Good questions open doors. Some examples:

• “Do you believe in God?” — A direct but not aggressive question.
• “Have you ever thought about what comes after death?” — Almost everyone thinks about this sometimes.
• “May I ask you something? If you were to die tonight, are you sure you would go to heaven?” — A confronting but loving question.
• “Do you know the story of Jesus?” — Many people don't, even though they think they do.
• “May I pray for you?” — Almost no one says no to this, even non-believers.

Use of tracts and brochures

Tracts are a practical aid in evangelism. You can hand them out on the street, leave them in waiting rooms, give them to people you meet. A good tract contains the gospel in short, clear language with Bible verses. It is a seed that you plant — the Holy Spirit can use it long after the conversation is over.

11. Praying for openings

Evangelism begins on your knees. Before you open your mouth to people, you open your mouth to God. Pray for openings, pray for boldness, pray for the people around you:

Colossians 4:3-4 praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds, that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.

Even Paul — the greatest evangelist after Jesus Himself — asked for prayer! He did not ask: “Pray that I be safe.” He asked: “Pray that God opens a door for the Word.” That may also be your prayer: “Lord, open a door today. Give me the words. Let me meet someone who is seeking You.”

Colossians 4:5-6 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

“Redeeming the time” — or literally: “buying back the time.” Every moment is precious. Every meeting is an opportunity. Be alert to the doors God opens and step boldly through them.

Pray also for specific people. Make a list of five people around you who do not yet know Jesus, and pray for them daily. Pray that God opens their hearts, that He creates circumstances through which they become receptive, and that He gives you the opportunity to speak with them. You will be amazed at what happens when you pray with focus for the people around you.

1 Timothy 2:1, 3-4 I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks be made for all men. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth.

God wants all people to be saved! That is His heart. And He invites us to pray for that and to work for that. Prayer and evangelism go hand in hand. First pray, then speak. And sometimes: speak while you pray, and pray while you speak. The Holy Spirit leads you in both.

12. The harvest is great

Jesus looked at the crowds and His heart broke. He saw people who were lost, like sheep without a shepherd. And He spoke words that are just as urgent today as they were then:

Matthew 9:37-38 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest.”

The harvest is great! There are millions of people in our country and beyond who do not know Jesus. People who are seeking, who are struggling, who are desperate, who hunger for truth and love. The harvest is ready — but the laborers are few. Will you be a laborer? Will you let yourself be sent out into God's harvest?

It begins close to home. You don't have to go abroad — begin in your own street, in your own family, at your own work. Look around you with the eyes of Jesus. See the people. Have compassion on them, as He had compassion. And tell them the good news.

Matthew 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd.

Jesus did not look at the crowd with disgust or impatience. He was “moved with compassion.” His heart broke for lost people. May our heart also break this way. May the need of the world not leave us indifferent. May the love of Christ drive us to open our mouth and tell the good news.

There are millions of people in our country who do not know Jesus. People who live without hope, without forgiveness, without a relationship with God. People who are stuck in addiction, in depression, in loneliness, in fear. The gospel is the answer — not our eloquence, not our program, not our good intentions, but the gospel itself, the power of God for salvation.

2 Corinthians 5:20 We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us. We beg you on behalf of Christ: be reconciled to God.

You are an ambassador of Christ. An ambassador of the Kingdom of God. God entreats through you. Let that sink in — the almighty God wants to use you to make His love known to the world. What an honor! What a responsibility! What a privilege!

Bible verses to memorize

Memorize the following three texts. Write them down, carry them with you, and repeat them regularly: