Equipping Christ's People for Witness
The purpose of this section is to provide resources that equip believers to live out our calling in Christ to share the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world around us.
The Mandate to Witness
The three most prominent Bible passages on the believer’s call to evangelism are Mt. 28:16-20, Lk. 24:44-49, and Acts 1:7-8. The Matthew passage is the most formal and seems directed to the eleven remaining apostles. It is formal, comprehensive, and strategic. The Luke and Acts passages are to the eleven plus other followers of Christ thus making clear that this call to witness is to all followers of Christ. (see The Mandate to Witness diagram).
John Stott writes:
Christ expects His witnesses to take the initiative. ‘You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be my witnesses… (Acts 1:8). This is the risen Lord’s standing order to all his followers. We can no more restrict the command to witness than we can restrict the promise of the Spirit.
(Our Guilty Silence, Emphasis added.)
Evangelism Partner
This is a very simple idea. An evangelism partner is someone who will pray for you as you share the gospel with a non-believer. And you commit to do the same for them. We encourage every member, young and old, to establish an evangelism partnership with a fellow believer.
Resources for Believers
There are many good resources for believers to help them grow in Christ in the area of evangelism. Below is a list (with links) of training materials we have used in our evangelism training programs.
Training Materials:
Books as Resources to Equip Believers:
1. Honest Evangelism by Rico Tice
2. The Continental Divide of History by Billy King
3. Tell the Truth: The Whole Gospel to the Whole Person by Will Metzger
4. Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J. I. Packer
5. Questioning Evangelism by Randy Newman
6. Becoming a Contagious Christian Participants Guide by Mittleberg, Stroebel, and Hybels
7. The Reason for God by Tim Keller
8. The Gospel Uncompromised by William E. (Billy) King
Books and Materials to Give to Non-believers
1. The Gospel of Mark
2. The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
3. Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis
4. Why I Am a Christian by John Stott
5. The Reason for God by Tim Keller
6. Who Will Save You From God?/Real Life Real Answers by Billy King (Gospel Tract Booklet)
Media Resources