Witness: 7 Week Church Wide Initiative
We invite you to embark on our 7-week church wide journey into what it means to be Christ’s witnesses. This series is an opportunity to reflect, engage, and grow alongside your life group or ministries as we explore this calling together. Jesus has called each of us to be His witnesses—not merely through our actions, but through the very essence of who we are. While our behaviors may change, this isn’t a course on how to witness; it’s an invitation to embody the role of a witness.
When we prayerfully consider the places and people God has positioned us among, we’ll find countless opportunities to share the life-changing good news of Jesus. Together, let’s embrace this calling and trust that God can use us to impact lives for eternity!
Weekly Resources
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Sermon Summary
We are all called to be witnesses of Jesus and the Good News He brought to the world. To do that effectively we need a clear understanding of who Jesus is and what His plans and purposes were.
In Acts 1:8, Jesus commissions His disciples to be His witnesses. As followers of Christ today, this call is for
us as well. All of us, as Christ’s followers, are to live in such a way that our lives bear witness of what we have seen and heard about Jesus and His message of Good News. But, if we want to be effective witnesses, we need clarity on what or who we are bearing witness to. So, let’s take time getting to know Jesus and His mission. And as we do, let’s consider how the Holy Spirit can help us be effective witnesses. Being Christ’s witnesses is not just something we do, this is who we are. If this seems difficult, let’s remember that God promised His to give us the Holy Spirit to help us live as His witnesses wherever we go and whatever we do.
Reflection Questions
- In Acts 1:8 we read some of Jesus’ final words before He ascends into heaven. In this moment Jesus commissions His followers to be His witnesses after He is gone.
- What do you think the mood of the disciples would have been in this moment? What was Jesus asking of them when He calls them to become His witnesses?
- How do the circumstances in our lives impact our interest or willingness to intentionally be a witness today? What does it mean to be a witness of Jesus today?
- In Matthew 11:2-6 we find the account of when John the Baptist asked for clarification
about who Jesus was.- Why do you think John the Baptist needed clarification about who Jesus was?
- Have there been times in your life when you have struggled to fully grasp who Jesus is?
- How can clarity about of who Jesus is strengthen our ability to be His witnesses? What are some practical ways to deepen our understanding of who He is?
- What difference does having clarity about Jesus’ mission make in our motivation and expression of being Jesus’ witness? How would you describe Jesus’ work of introducing God’s kingdom? What makes this good news?
- In Acts 1:8 Jesus says that the Holy Spirit will empower His followers to be His witnesses.
- Why do we need this help?
- How can we seek the Holy Spirit’s help? What does it look like to live fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives?
Practical Application & Reading Reflections
Who is one person in your life God may impress on your heart to be praying for and who you could be a witness to?
Sunday: Acts 1:8; Matthew 5:23
Monday: Romans 1:16-17 – The power of the Gospel.
Tuesday: Luke 24:45-49 – Jesus commissions His disciples.
Wednesday: Psalm 96:1-3 – Declare His glory among the nations.
Thursday: 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 – Ambassadors of Christ.
Friday: Isaiah 52:7 – How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.
Saturday: Reflect on how the Gospel shapes your life and relationships.
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Sermon Summary
Jesus calls us to be all in on his mission to reach the world.
Some of Jesus’ last words reveal the mission of the church: make disciples. The task would take great commitment, and it’s a heritage that has been passed on to all followers of Christ. The close of Matthew’s gospel encourages us to put our faith in the authority and constant presence of the risen Jesus as ruler of all and as our companion through the Spirit. This conviction demands that disciples of Jesus would reorient their identities around God’s desire that his people would be a blessing to the world, sharing the hope of Jesus in word and deed. For this, God’s people must rally together as a community to make decisions for our neighbors who are strangers to the life-changing hope of salvation.
Reflection Questions
- We may be tempted to read these words of Jesus as simply one amongst many, but we would do well to remember that Jesus at this point has died and resurrected. This forces his audience (us included) to think of him differently.
- Why is Jesus’ authority important to Christian thinking? What encouragement can we take from his claim to authority?
- How might we communicate this idea of authority to someone without a Christian or faithed background who has become suspicious or skeptical towards authority?
- Read 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 and discuss how Paul’s conclusions to Jesus’ claims changed how he lived and how we could start imitating him.
- Colossians 1 is also a great supplementary reference point!
- We put a lot of weight onto the word ‘disciple’, but here the primary focus is about welcoming people into becoming followers of Jesus.
- What hurdles do we face incorporating ‘disciple-maker’ into part of our identity in Christ?
- Read Joshua 1:5-7 and compare the similarities to our Matthew 28 text. How might the backdrop of God leading Israel into the Promised Land help us understand what Jesus is calling us into? How are the two different from each other?
Practical Application & Reading Reflections
Where and when can you have your conversation with your one? How can you take action?
Sunday: Matthew 28:19.
Monday: Mark 16:15 – Proclaim the Gospel to all creation.
Tuesday: Genesis 12:1-3 – Abraham’s call to bless the nations.
Wednesday: Psalm 67:1-7 – God’s blessing and mission.
Thursday: Acts 13:47 – A light to the Gentiles.
Friday: Jonah 3:1-10 – Obeying God’s call.
Saturday: Reflect on God’s call in your life and pray for courage to follow.
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Sermon Summary
The ability to fulfill our mission as Christ’s witnesses flows from our ability to embrace our identity as Salt and Light.
In the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 Jesus makes some incredible statements about who His followers are. In the beatitudes Jesus describes people who are pure in heart, and peacemakers. This is what it looks like to be blessed – to have the favor of God on your life. And, these are characteristics which show up in the lives of citizens of God’s kingdom. After these startling statements Jesus describes His followers as salt and light. In these descriptions we find clarity about our identity as Christ’s followers and the way we are to fulfill our mission as His witnesses. When we embrace our identity as salt and light, we discover value, purpose and meaning in our lives. And, we discover how we can impact the world around us by being seasoning and a bright light guiding others to Jesus. When we do this, God is glorified!
Reflection Questions
- Take a moment to read Matthew 5:3-12, which are commonly referred to as the beatitudes.
- How do Jesus’ words in the beatitudes help us understand what a follower of Jesus should look like today? Why would Jesus words have been shocking to his original audience? How do they challenge you today?
- As Jesus talks about His followers as salt and light, he is making a significant statement about our identity in Christ.
- How does the image of salt clarify our identity as Christ’s followers today? Why is this so important to remember if we are going to be effective as Christ’s witnesses?
- Two ways which salt can be used are as a seasoning or a preservative. How does the imagery of being seasoning or a preservative help us understand how we can live as a witness today? How can it be hard to be salt today?
- What is Jesus saying about our identity when He says we are the light of the world?
- What are some ways we can practically live out our identity as light in a dark world?
- Both of these images are powerful affirmations of our purpose and identity as Christ’s followers, but they also both come with a warning.
- What are the practical implications from Jesus statement that salt can lose its saltiness?
- What does it look like to hide your light? Why would anyone hide their light?
Practical Application & Reading Reflections
What situations where living as salt and light is important today? How can you be intentional about being Christ’s witness as salt and light?
Sunday: Matthew 5:13-16
Monday: Colossians 4:5-6 – Seasoned with salt.
Tuesday: Daniel 1:8-16 – Daniel as salt and light in Babylon.
Wednesday: Psalm 119:105 – God’s Word as a light to our path.
Thursday: 1 Peter 2:9-12 – Living as God’s chosen people.
Friday: Proverbs 4:18 – The path of the righteous is like the morning sun.
Saturday: Reflect on how you can be salt and light in your community.
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Sermon Summary
Each of us have the opportunity and responsibility to be a witness to our families.
In the book of Deuteronomy God instructs, through Moses, the people of Israel about how they are to live as the people of God. Included in these instructions are some very specific challenges related to families. Whether that is honoring your mother and father, or impressing God’s word on your children, we are reminded of the importance of being a witness within our families. The challenge for each of us is that if we are going to do this well, we need to develop a deep relationship with God, be intentional in our actions, and be consistent in our faith. If we do this, we will give our families the opportunity to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Reflection Questions
- In the book of Deuteronomy Moses instructs the people of Israel about what it looks like to live as God’s people.
- Why do you think it was so important for Moses to go over God’s instructions for living as His people before the people entered the promised land?
- What is the correlation between how God was shaping the people of Israel into a nation and how we live together as a biological family, or a church family?
- As we consider Moses’ instructions about families there are three elements of his discussion that were highlighted in this message: developing a deep relationship with God, being intentional in our actions, and staying consistent in how we live out our faith.
- What should our motivation be for developing a deep relationship with God?
- What are some practical and intentional actions you can take to encourage your family to get to know God? How does this apply beyond the parent/child relationship?
- Why is it so important to be consistent in how live out your faith within the context of your family? What are some practical ways to help us stay consistent?
- When we consider being a witness within our families, a very practical application for everyone is to think about how we interact and connect with our spiritual family.
- How can the different generations within the church express the heart of the teaching on family found in our Deuteronomy text?
- What can we do to encourage those within our church body who may be struggling with the reality of unsaved family members, or conflict within their families?
Practical Application & Reading Reflections
What steps can you take to be a more effective witness within your current family situation?
Sunday: Deuteronomy 5:16 & 6:1-9
Monday: Ephesians 6:1-4 – Instructions for families.
Tuesday: Ruth 1:16-17 – Commitment in family relationships.
Wednesday: Psalm 127:1-5 – The Lord’s blessing on the home.
Thursday: Colossians 3:12-17 – Love and harmony in the home.
Friday: Proverbs 22:6 – Train up a child in the way they should go.
Saturday: Reflect on how you can honor God in your home life.
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Sermon Summary
We are called to be love and care for those in need around us. When we live this out, we will be witnesses to our neighbours!.
In the Gospel of Luke, we find an interaction between Jesus and an expert in the law. The lawyer first wants to know how to inherit eternal life. When Jesus responds that he should love God and his neighbour as himself the lawyer then asks who his neighbour is? In answer to this question, Jesus tells a story about a kind and generous Samaritan who goes out of his way to help an injured man. At the conclusion of the story Jesus then asks – who was a neighbour? Clearly, it was the Samaritan, even though the law expert couldn’t admit it. The challenge Jesus presents is not only to try and figure out who your neighbour is, but to be a good neighbour. When we do that, we have the opportunity to be Christ’s witnesses!
Reflection Questions
- For the Jews hearing Jesus’ words about loving their neighbours, this would have been a good reminder of how they were to care for their fellow Jews.
- How does the idea that Jews had a responsibility to love and care for one another impact how we think of the needs of others within our own church community?
- How should you determine what the limits of care you can give are, or should be?
- In this story, loving your neighbour seems not only directed at our physical neighbours, or our church community, but anyone in need.
- Who are the people in your life that you would consider a neighbour you should love?
- What adjustments could you make to your interactions with others in order to become more aware of the needs of people you regularly rub shoulders with?
- What practical steps can you take to practically support the people around you?
- Jesus’ challenge to the law expert was stunning because the Samaritan was the hero of the story. But then, Jesus encouraged this Jewish man to act like him.
- How can we make sure we are willing to reach out and care for others, even if they are different than us, or are our enemies?
- How does loving our neighbours, as a good neighbour, provide us the chance to be a witness for Jesus?
Practical Application & Reading Reflections
Who are the people in your life that might be considered a neighbour to you? How will you reach out and show love to them this week?
Sunday: Luke 10:29-37
Monday: Matthew 25:34-40 – Whatever you did for the least of these.
Tuesday: John 13:34-35 – Love one another
Wednesday: Psalm 133:1-3 – The beauty of unity.
Thursday: Romans 12:9-13 – Loving your neighbour in action.
Friday: Micah 6:8 – Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God.
Saturday: Reflect on how you can love and serve your neighbours.
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Sermon Summary
We must to be servants in our workplace
Work can feel like a lot. Adding to it the task of being a witness for Jesus can be outright daunting. However, even if we feel like our workplaces are hostile warzones, Peter challenges followers of Jesus that our conduct needs to such that people who are unsaved and hostile toward us will ultimately be moved to follow Jesus. This requires us to shift our thoughts about how we work and embody the role of a servant where we work.
Reflection Questions
- The Old Testament community had built in practices, like sabbath, tithing, freeing slaves, returning land, and caring for the poor baked into their work identity.
- What kind of people does a community who thinks the workplace is just about money and success produce? Why are those values consistently prevalent?
- How might the aforementioned checks and balances alter our relationship to work? In other words, what were those things supposed to produce in the Israelite (and our) lives?
- How does Peter’s reminders that we are ‘sojourners and exiles’ contribute to the picture of how Christians interact with the world around them?
- Do you have any examples of someone who acts with great integrity in the workplace, and can you describe the effect they had on you and others?
- Peter weaves the reality of suffering for Jesus’ sake in his letter. You could decide to read all of 1 Peter in like 15-20 minutes, or you can look through these following texts:
- Read 1 Peter 1:6-9 and discuss how suffering contributes to the discipleship of followers of Jesus.
- Read 1 Peter 3:8-17. How do words contribute to the suffering and/or well-being of a community?
- Read 1 Peter 4:12-19. Why and how do we suffer for God’s will? And, how does sharing in Jesus’ suffering contribute to how we process it?
Practical Application & Reading Reflections
Is love and service a motivating factor of your work/school life?
Sunday: 1 Peter 2:9-12
Monday: Colossians 3:23-24 – Work as for the Lord.
Tuesday: Daniel 6:1-10 – Daniel’s faithfulness in his work.
Wednesday: Ecclesiastes 3:9-13 – The gift of work.
Thursday: 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 – Living a quiet, productive life.
Friday: Proverbs 16:3 – Commit your work to the Lord.
Saturday: Reflect on how your work or studies can glorify God.
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Sermon Summary
When life gets tough, and being a witness for Christ, gets tough, we are called to persevere and not give up!
In the book of Hebrews there is a powerful passage about persevering when life gets tough. It begins by reflecting on those who have walked this path before and bear witness to the fact that even when life is hard perseverance is possible. This passage gets very practical in its call to run the race of life well by challenging us to get rid of all that hinders or entangles. This could be sin or just useless items we are holding on to. And it challenges us that our ability to endure comes when we fix our eyes on Jesus. Through the Spirit’s work in our lives, and by following Christ’s example, we can live in such a way that we do not grow weary or lose heart. When we do that, we will be able to faithfully live as Christ’s witnesses!
Reflection Questions
- Take a moment to read through chapter 11 and consider the cloud of witnesses.
- What stands out to you about the lives of those who were commended for their faith?
- How do these heroes of faith bear witness to God’s goodness and strength that is available as an encouragement for us today? How can their example help us to live as witnesses today?
- In Hebrews 12:1-3 there are some incredibly practical instructions for us that will help us live out our faith well, even when life gets tough.
- When you think about laying aside hinderances and the sin that easily entangles, what are some concrete examples of both, you have struggled with? Why is it important to differentiate between something that hinders and sin that entangles? What can you do to overcome these challenges?
- If God has a race marked out for us, how can we discover what that is and consistently walk that path? What are some aspects of God’s will that apply to all believers?
- What does it mean to fix our eyes on Jesus? What are the implications for us that Jesus is the author and perfector of our faith?
- Jesus lived a life of incredible perseverance. What is the joy set before Him that motivated Him to endure the cross? How can this encourage believers to persevere as witnesses today? What does it mean that Jesus scorned the shame of the cross?
- How can we ensure that we are not growing weary or giving up? What are the ways the community of faith can help us persevere?
Practical Application & Reading Reflections
Are there hinderances or sins in your life you need to let go of? What are the names of those who need you to persevere as a witness so they can discover the life Christ offers them?
Sunday: Hebrews 12:1-3
Monday: Galatians 6:9-10 – Do not grow weary in doing good.
Tuesday: Job 1:20-22 – Job’s perseverance in suffering.
Wednesday: Psalm 37:7-9 – Waiting patiently for the Lord.
Thursday: 2 Timothy 4:7-8 – Fighting the good fight.
Friday: Isaiah 40:29-31 – Strength for the weary.
Saturday: Reflect on how God has sustained you and pray for perseverance.