Let’s take some time to discuss witnessing this week. I want to begin the discussion with a book I have been re-reading.I spent part of Sunday evening reflecting on Bill Hull’s book, Jesus Christ Disciplemaker. I perused Hull’s tome so I can begin to discuss it with CrossPoint’s staff on Tuesday. We try to discuss two or three books each year as a staff. We will invest the next three months discussing Disciplemaker.
Even though the book was written more than two decades ago, Hull’s thoughts remain relevant.
For example, explaining the weight of witnessing the author writes:
Witnessing (declaring the gospel to unbelievers) is a valuable and rewarding experience. If a Christian knows this fact but does not practice it, it is no more than theory. I can tell you that chocolate ice cream is delicious. I can use my powers of persuasion, and even convince you of what I say. But until you actually taste chocolate ice cream, you do not really know. Many Christians don’t witness. In their minds they realize the importance of witnessing, but they lack a heartfelt knowledge of its value. Their knowledge is intellectual but not empirical (p. 91).
Wow! That’s strong.
Do you witness?
Do you realize the importance of witnessing?
Is your experience in witnessing a matter of practice or theory?
Do you have a heartfelt knowledge of sharing the gospel?
Is your knowledge of witnessing intellectual or empirical?
Perchance you can see why I am asking our staff to read and discuss the book. Tomorrow, I will share how Hull’s illustration reminded of a witnessing encounter I experienced in Oxford, Mississippi in the late 1980s.