1) The wheel of life

2) Who is a witness?

A witness is anyone who has met Jesus, which has resulted in a visible change in his character and his life.  If you are a Christian, you are a witness for Christ in this world. This is not your choice.  Your choice is that do you want to be a good witness who glorifies Christ, or one that crucifies Him daily.

Philippians 1:27 …………………………………………………

Matthew 5:16 …………………………………………………

3) What does it mean to witness?

To witness is to recount our encounter with Jesus Christ and how it has changed our lives.  Foremost, our lives should be a witness of Christ even before our mouths testify.  People should become curious about Christ by observing our lives and when they ask us, we should be prepared to respond according to the following verse:

1 Peter 3:15  …………………………………………………

4) How do we testify about our lives?

Share your testimony according to the following three steps:

1. How I was before salvation:

You should give a description of your life before your faith in Christ so that the audience develops an idea of who you were and what kind of life you were leading.

For example, if any of these were present in your life before you met Jesus, mention them and describe them briefly:  sorrow, loneliness, depression, fear, anger, bitterness, pride, selfishness, hatred, sexual immoralities, drugs, alcohol, family problems, problems with children, marital problems, work problems, insecurities, etc……………………

2. What brought me to Christ? 

Describe the way you came to know Jesus Christ, the Bible, the church or other

Christians.  Explain how you came to accept Jesus as your God, Lord and Savior.

For example, may be it was the kindness of the church members, the feeling of 

peace you felt in the church, the joy you observed during the worship, people’s

unpretentious faith, true Christians you met, understanding that God is our Father,

understanding that Christianity is not a religion but a relationship with God,

understanding that God forgives sins, that He changes lives, that He became flesh

and came after you a sinner, etc…………

2. How did my life change after salvation?

Share how you changed spiritually, mentally and physically after you came to Christ.  For example:  “I could never forgive anyone before, but now I pray for my enemies and ask for blessing on them.  I am experiencing an unexplainable joy.  I feel strangely peaceful.  I am confident that I will always remain in God even if the world turns upside down.  The problems of the world, although still present, will not over power me anymore.  Our marriage is full of joy and happiness.  In this busy world, our children have clear and worthy plans for their future.  I feel I relate better to my coworkers.  I have asked friends and family for their forgiveness.  I have forgiven those who have hurt me and have prayed blessings of them.  I am free from cigarettes, alcohol and drugs.  I am free from the emptiness of life.  I have truly learned the meaning of love and humility” and etc……………

Suggestions for evangelizing to friends, family members and coworkers:

1. Have an exemplary life in Christ.
2. Your love for others should be noticeably different from the past and felt by people.
3. Your ability to remain joyful in difficult times must be noteworthy.
4. Your peace and calmness during difficult times must be noticeable.
5. You should become known for purity and righteousness in you life.
6. You should become famous for your humility and steadfastness in your faith.
7. Your sympathy for others should surprise them.
8. Your gentle and kind reaction to those who insult you, ridicule you or are angry with you should embarrass them.
9. Invite your friends and loved ones to church and the SHABAHANG group meetings.
10. Avoid arguments about religion.
11. Respect other people’s beliefs and faith.
12. Be aware that your war is not against men. See all men lost children of God who are in need of salvation.
13. Your battle is with the evil forces. So pray fervently for the salvation of your loved ones.
14. Share your testimony with your loved ones.
15. Watch the movie ‘Jesus’, in Farsi (or English, if that is their native language), with them.
16. Give them the New Testament as a gift.
17. Give them evangelical tapes from the church as gifts.
18. Invite your friends and family along with the church and SHABAHANG group leaders to your house.
19. Make sure that you don’t alienate anyone in the SHABAHANG meetings by your behavior or prayers.
20. Evangelize, evangelize, evangelize and talk only if it becomes necessary!!!

5) Personal application: 

• Make a commitment in prayer that you will become an upright witness for Christ

from today forward.

• Write down your testimony.

• Practice to give your testimony in less that 5 minutes.

• Make a list of all the people you know and pray for their salvation daily.

• Make notes of the needs of the people you know and pray for their needs so that God is glorified in their lives.

• Use the above list for follow up steps and do not stop praying for them until they are saved.