Studying God's Word

One time I was placing gospel tracts in a bank waiting area. An elderly gentleman was watching me and he said, “How do you know?” It’s the first question all believers are asked, so be ready for it. As a believer witnessing for Christ, you must be able to answer this basic question, and any other questions the nonbeliever may have. As a believer, you must exude both knowledge of God and confidence in your own salvation. You can’t fake it. You either have it or you don’t. Nonbelievers aren’t fooled. God’s salvation plan for man is for believers to witness the gospel message of Jesus Christ to nonbelievers so that some might be saved unto eternal life in heaven by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Colossians 4:5 – Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.

Romans 12:1 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

2 Cor. 5:20 – Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God was pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

Titus 2:15 – Speak these things (the gospel), exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

2 Tim. 4:1-2 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

1 Thes. 1:5 – For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance.

Believers gain the knowledge necessary to be an effective witness for Christ by studying God’s word for knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. This is just common sense. You cannot “do” until you know what to “do.” Believers gain confidence by keeping their eyes on Jesus, by maintaining fellowship with God through Bible study and daily prayer. God doesn’t repeat anything in the Bible unless it’s important. There are dozens of Bible verses that command the believer to study God’s word and pray continually. Every new believer starts out on the spiritual milk of God’s word and progresses to spiritual meat through diligent prayer and study. Without this progression, the believer is worthless as a vessel of God and he is unable to be used by the Master for good works.

1 Tim 4:13 – Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Titus 2:7 – In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, in corruptibility.

Romans 15:4 – For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

Romans 12:2 – And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (studying God’s word), that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

2 Peter 1:2 – Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Hebrews 6:10 – For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

You’re not a mind reader. “How do you know?” is an open-ended question that doesn’t tell you anything. You must find out the nonbeliever’s stumbling block by asking a follow-up question. Your witness should start there and expand outward. You might draw out the nonbeliever out by asking, “Tell me what you believe and I’ll start there.” “How do you know” could mean how do you know there is a God; how do you know your God is the right God or the only God; how do you know Jesus is the son of God, and that he is God; how do you know God wrote the Bible; how do you know you’re saved; how do you know when you’re saved; how do I know I can be saved, etc.?

1 Cor. 1:18 – For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Romans 4:4 – Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.

2 Tim. 2:15 – Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

1 Tim. 2:3-4 – For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2 Tim. 2:21 – Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter (dishonor), he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

1 Cor. 15:58 – Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

I created a witness folder where I keep my witness outline based on the Roman road to salvation. I keep a list of proofs and verses of scripture that I can use to answer any of the questions listed above. I don’t really need them anymore, but they’re a crutch I can fall back on if I lose my train of thought. If you want to be an effective witness for Christ you must put in the study work; and you must practice! You’ll get better at witnessing the more you do it, like anything else in life. You can prepare to witness all day long but at some point you must simply do it. Dive into God’s harvest field if you want to be an ambassador for Christ, saving lost souls for the kingdom of heaven. To save many, you must run your race before God with endurance, abounding in the work of the Lord. Before Jesus ascended back to heaven, he commanded his disciples to fulfill the Great Commission, which is to witness Christ to all nations and all people. It’s the thing dearest to God’s heart. God is looking for obedience from us, and if we obey it’ll please God. When we stand before the bema judgment of Jesus Christ on the last day our ultimate goal is to please the Lord. The only way to do that is by witnessing for Christ; a lot.

Romans 10:17 – So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Phil. 2:12 – Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Eph. 5:15-16 – See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Titus 3:8 – This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

Romans 10:13 – For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Hebrews 10:36 – For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.