Theoretical vs. Actual...
Greetings!
WITNESS BREAKTHROUGH (WB) held a weekend WB training conference for over 100 participants in Woodstock, CT
It was co-oordinated by Pastor Norm and attendees came from about 5 different churches in nearby Connecticut and Massachusetts.
MY QUESTION...
On the last day I asked the people.. " what did you get out of the Witness Breakthrough equipping in the days together?"

ENLIGHTENING COMMENT:
A group of younger people in their 30s-40s from a church in Massachusetts were in attendance...a young woman from the group came up to me and said,

"What we like about WB
...it is ACTUAL...not THEORETICAL"

I LOVED HER COMMENT and consider the compliment one of my very favorites because
-THEORECTICAL WITNESSING is unfruitful and stale
-ACTUAL WITNESSING is fruitful and alive
Witnessing
Actual Witnessing Examples
Witnessing in Theory
This is what WB is presently doing at our church in Georgia to make sure
witness equipping is ACTUAL:


First of all...



Theoretical defined:
Concerned with or involving the theory of a subject or area of study rather than its practical application.
synonyms: hypothetical, academic, 
speculative, presumed, untested, unproven



Actual defined:
synonyms: true in fact, proven, real, original, bona fide, tested,
experienced, practical


BIBLE INSIGHT



One of my very favorite verses in the Bible says...
"In all labor there is profit but mere talk leads to poverty"
Proverbs 14:23

Frankly I believe many well meaning Christians have substituted Theoretical for Actual witnessing and it has led to endless witness learning and brainstorming vs ACTUAL Spirit led sharing of our faith where we live, move and have our being. Acts 17:28

Again the Bible says it so well...don't miss it!

And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.
1 Corinthians 2:1‭-‬5 NIV



In our WB equipping this week you will note the goal is lecture and ACTUAL...


Our witness training schedule this week at our church:


Prior to our meeting ...Read Chapters 4-8 from... IF WE ARE THE LIGHT, WHY IS AMERICA SO DARK?

Wednesday agenda:


A TESTIMONY "Why I'm mainly taking this class"- Millann

FFAAIITTH acrostic review and conclusion from chapter 2- Ted


QUESTION: Do I have any more volunteers to give their 1-2 minute testimony? Your life before Christ, how/when you came to faith and what has happened since. I need one from each table. If no one volunteers the table leader will share. Table leaders- I will call on you and you can refer to a member or do it yourself...Agreed?

So far...

Two minute testimony-Wyatt

Two minute testimony-Ray

Two minute testimony -Ham


TABLE DISCUSSIONS 15-20 minutes on your assigned chapter, then REPORT BACK(Acts 4:23) on the questions at the end of the chapters in 5 minutes

CHAPTER 4.. FORGIVENESS and LOVE- table one discuss and REPORT back

CHAPTER 5..WHAT'S MISSING- table two (would Nancy and Wendy join table two since table 5 has eight and 2 couples are traveling from table 2...) Doug is leading the discussion 

CHAPTER 6..BE CAREFUL- table three discuss and REPORT back

CHAPTER 7..WIMPS and MODELS- table four discuss and report back

CHAPTER 8..ICE CREAM and TEAM WITNESSING- table five discuss and report back


MAPS...thanks to Fred we have a geographic map more conducive to our area

YOUR ASSIGNMENT

  • put black stickers where you have been this past week...when you arrive to class go to map and put black stickers on the map

  • put red stickers where you listened to someone after you asked a question or responded to good service or ?

  • ask someone you don't know/or do know (you don't know how they stand re faith in Christ) a question like...HOW'S IT GOING? Listen intently to their response, ask follow up questions and learn to springboard their comments

For example:

As a sports enthusiast I often use springboards related to recent issues in sports like the NFL controversy re kneeling, the faith of the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and players, the quarterback of Alabama, etc, then I give my 1-2 minute testimony


While You're SHOPPING or EATING:

Thank them for their good service and hand them a booklet like STEPS or wristband...but first give your 1-2 minute testimony ...guided by the booklet or wristband

I will give a couple examples


THIS WEEK...in humility and boldness

If you shared the gospel with someone please share your experience with the class...some of my/our experiences this week of sharing Jesus Christ..movie theatre, golf course, restaurant, COSTCO, bringing a friend to church(she had never been to church before!).

IMPORTANT REQUEST:

PLEASE INVITE ONE PERSON or couple to this weeks WB class just to observe one class for possible future attendance



also ASK
...ask me questions that are personal to you re: Witnessing ...
WHAT'S HOLDING YOU BACK FROM BEING A CONSISTANT WITNESS? Or ?

PRAY

...Please pray the prayer on page 6 of your book and ask the Holy Spirit to give you the prayer of PAUL... Col 4:2-6

Ted
Acts 17:28

P.S.After every session Randy's very insightful "Scribe Report" weekly meeting recap is sent to every attendee

www. witnessbreakthrough.org