The Ten Basic Steps: Lesson 4-Witnessing and the Word of God
Objective: To learn to use the power of God's Word in witnessing.
Read: Ephesians
1 & 2
Memorize: I
Peter 3:15
2. The Crowd's Response
3. The Power of the Word
4. The Value of Scripture Memorization
5. Life Application
When the early Christians received the power of the Holy spirit at Pentecost, the news spread quickly throughout Jerusalem, and a large crowd gathered, seeking the meaning of this phenomenon. Peter, under the control and in the power of the Holy Spirit, addressed the inquisitive crowd.
Who
were these people? Some had been present at the crucifixion earlier and
had cried, "Crucify Him" and, "Let his blood be on us and
on our children" (Matthew 27:22, 25). Possibly some in the front
row were those before whom Peter had used profanity when he denied Christ
(Matthew 26:73,74).
Under these fearful circumstances, Peter's resources had to be God's Word, prayer, and the Holy Spirit. The purpose of this lesson is to demonstrate the use of the Word of God in witnessing, and its results.
Peter's Witness
Read Acts 2.
1. Of all the disciples, why was Peter the least qualified to witness for Christ, and yet the most qualified, as suggested above and in Acts 2?
2. How much of Peter's sermon involves quotations from the Bible (such as from Joel, David, etc.)?
How much Scripture memorization do you suppose Peter had done in his early life?
3. What part does the Holy Spirit play...
In those who share Christ's message (John 14:26)?
In those who hear Christ's message (John 16:8-11)?
4. What part does prayer play (Acts 2:42-47)?
5. What did Peter say to convince them of sin (Acts 2:23, 36)?
6. List some great things Peter preached about God (verses 24, 34, 35, 38, 39).
The Crowd's Response
How many became
Christians that day?
List the emotions
experienced by the hearers before and after conversion.
Why did some listeners respond in anger first?
The Power of the Word
Summarize Isaiah
55:11.
According to Hebrews
4:12, how does the Word of God affect the non-Christian as you witness?
In Ephesians
6:17, what is the Bible called and why?
As you will see in more detail in Lesson 6, it is the Holy Spirit who brings men to grips with the issues as we witness.
The Value of Scripture Memorization
Committing portions of Scripture to memory is the best way to know the Word of God, and as a result, to know Christ. Also, by having the promises and commands of the Word memorized, we can apply them to any life situation at a moment's notice, especially when we want to use them in an unexpected witnessing opportunity.
List some things
God has promised us in II
Peter 1:2-4.
List some ways
that memorizing Scripture will help you according to: I
Peter 2:2-3, Hebrews
5:12-14, Joshua
1:8, Psalm
1:1-3, and Psalm
32:8.
List some ways,
mentioned in the following references, in which God's Word will nourish
your growth. Romans
10:17, Psalm
119:11, 165.
Name one thing
for which God's word is absolutely essential, according to I
Peter 1:23.
Life Application
List specific ways
in which the preceding Bible verses will help you in your witnessing.
Which verse do
you believe you need the most?
Memorize that passage.
How will you apply it?
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