Skip to main content

How Did Jesus Witness?


Jesus initiated a conversation with a woman by asking her for a drink of water in John 4. 

 Then, he skillfully shifted that conversation from a thirst for water to that woman’s inner thirst. 

 Step by step Jesus related perfectly timed truth in a friendly way. 

Notice in John 4:18 that the turning point in the conversation occurred when the woman suddenly realized that 

Jesus knew her, understood her problem, and still cared. 

 If Jesus hadn’t skillfully approached the subject, he would have probably failed in witnessing like many of us do today. 

What can we learn from this? Read John Chapter 4 and ask how did Jesus witness, and how do I need to do it differently?

1. He started a conversation by asking a question.
2. He overlooked differences.
3. He looked for a way to connect.
4. He related spiritual truths in a way that could be easily understood.
5. He refused to be judgmental.
6. He avoided argument.
7. He stayed on topic.
8. He remembered that sin is only a symptom of not knowing Him.
9. He believed that His efforts would be fruitful.
10. He adjusted His schedule to build relationships with His new friend's friends.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dan Dehaan's Metro Bible Study

In the late 1970s, I attended an interdenominational Bible Study called “the Metro Bible Study” in Metro Atlanta, which began as a Small Group in “Dad” Charles Ellis’ basement. It was taught by Dan Dehaan, and eventually outgrew Dad Ellis’ basement by moving to the Griffin Middle School.  When I first started attending, it had grown to 300 teenagers who meet ever Tuesday night and featured Contemporary Christian Music played by “The Pat Terry Group”.  As the Metro Bible Study continued rapid growth, they eventually moved to the First Baptist Church of Smyrna, Georgia where it peaked around 1200 attendees.  In the summer of 1982, Dan Dehaan died in a plane crash and teacher John Riley took over. Under John Riley, the Bible Study grew to about 1,500 after eventually moving to Mt. Paran Church of God. When I was first invited to the “Metro Bible Study”, I didn’t go to hear Dan Dehaan teach because I didn’t know who he was.  What I went to hear...
2 comments
Read more

Where is God when times get tough?

Mark 4:35-41 (NLT) 35  As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.”  Faith is based upon something.  Jesus said that they were all going across the lake.  The disciples should have based their faith upon what Jesus had said.   36  So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed).  37  But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. You can be in the center of the will of God, and the journey can get tough.  38  Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion.  Faith doesn't fret.  Jesus was in the same ship as they were, but he was relaxed and asleep.   The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” Our mi...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Trouble?

What do we do in the middle of trouble? Do I trust God when I don't understand? That's the situation the captives found themselves in, and this was God's response. Jeremiah 29:4-11  (NLT) 4  This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem: 5  “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce.   6  Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away!  7  And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.” 8  This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let your prophets and fortune-tellers who are with you in the land of Babylon trick you. Do not listen to their dreams...
1 comment
Read more