Witnessing does not have to be complicated. Below are some simple ways to let your light shine in your community and anywhere you may go. As you read these, perhaps you will be inspired with some ideas of your own. Be creative. Feel welcome to add any ideas of your own to the comments for this post.
A kind, courteous Christian is the most powerful argument that can be produced in favor of Christianity. —Ellen White, Gospel Workers, page 122.
The following is commentary on the Sabbath School Bible Study Guide lesson for March 1.
It counts for something that the first book of the Bible to record the lives of the apostles after the resurrection is entitled “The Acts of the Apostles.” It is not called “The Beliefs of the Apostles,” or “The Apostolic Enlightenment.” Although the deeds of the believers were heavily grounded in beliefs and spiritual vision, it was their works and lives that attracted attention. This supports the commonly held view that people do not respect what a person or organization says, until they respect what that person or organization does.
Tim Stafford writes on the Christianity Today website:
“Jews do not associate with Samaritans,” John says (4:9) in commenting on Jesus’ conversation with the woman at the well. The two groups had a long and grievous history, like estranged family members. They had a partly shared worldview (both revered the Pentateuch, though in different versions), a shared point of origin (“our father Jacob,” as the woman put it to Jesus), and well-defined points of contention (where should you worship, at Mount Gerizim or Jerusalem?). They knew each other; therefore, they did not associate with each other.
Gospel-writer Luke tells us of the Samaritan village that refused hospitality to Jesus and his followers. Why? Because they were Passover pilgrims headed for Jerusalem. Samaritans didn’t like Jews doing their Jewish thing. James and John took the inhospitality for a religious affront; in fact, they were ready to firebomb the village (Luke 9:51–56). These groups had a familiarity that bred suspicion and mutual grudges.
The website ChurchRelevance.com has had some great posts recently. Often it seems popular Christian thought is hopelessly muddled with pop psychology and post-modernist thinking. And among more theologically grounded Christian groups, culture and relevancy are topics that seem scarcely thought of. For that reason I am deeply encouraged to read someone clearly present a sound explanation of how the church should relate to culture.
The recent post, “Rick Warren on Engaging Culture Relevantly and Biblically,” is worth reading. I really like their posting style: bite-sized and “salty.” Definitely recommended reading.
Craig Groeschel of LifeChurch.tv (Edmond, OK) shares three questions on his blog that are valuable in evaluating the quality and effectiveness of your church.
(more…)
