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Evangelism and
Witnessing

Introduction
Contents
Helps 
Daily Discussion Online
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Cover
INTRODUCTION

Why Our Church?

Although experts disagree on the exact number, one thing is certain: many Protestant denominations exist today. Hundreds, even thousands.

Which leads to such questions as, Why the Seventh-day Adventist Church? What’s our purpose? What relevance do we have?

The answer is simple: God raised up this church to proclaim “present truth,” the Three Angels’ Messages of Revelation 14:6–12.

Yes, a number of churches exist and many with aggressive outreach and evangelism programs too. But, at last count, there’s only one church specifically proclaiming the Three Angels’ Messages of Revelation 14. That church is ours–and that’s why we’re here. Period.

Thus, whatever else our church is doing, first and foremost, we should purposefully attempt to lead as many people as we can into God’s eternal kingdom. Whether we call it “spreading the gospel,” “evangelizing the world,” or preaching “present truth,” our core business is to tell the Jesus story with the intention that people will accept Him as Lord and Savior and become disciples and even disciple makers.

Although most local churches are involved in many activities, and (ideally) all of those activities are good and useful—our challenge must be to make all that we do as a church relate to the core business of reaching the lost with the “everlasting gospel” (Rev. 14:6) and all that it entails.

Of course, even with the benefits of modern technology the task is huge. And when all is said and done, the task falls upon millions of volunteers motivated by a love for God and for lost humanity—a love for those whose sins Jesus bore on the cross just as much as He bore ours.

While evangelism and witnessing is the personal responsibility of each believer, the whole body of Seventh-day Adventist believers (the church) has a corporate responsibility, as well. As each member contributes to the evangelistic goals and strategies of his or her local church, precious people are won to Christ. And here’s a point that can’t be overemphasized: if it’s not done at the local church level, it just won’t get done.

In the context of outreach, understanding spiritual gifts also is important. It is vital, however, to not only encourage members to discover how they are spiritually gifted, but to also present them with opportunities to exercise those gifts. Fundamental belief number 16 says in part: “God bestows upon all members of His church in every age spiritual gifts, which each member is to employ in loving ministry for the common good of the church and of humanity. Given by the agency of the Holy Spirit, who apportions to each member as He wills, the gifts provide all abilities and ministries needed by the church to fulfill its divinely ordained functions.”—Seventh-day Adventists Believe . . . (Hagerstown, Md.: Review and HeraldŽ Publishing Association, 1988), p. 206.

An understanding of the gospel story coupled with a personal connection to Jesus Christ will enable people to work with the right motivation for saving souls. Evangelism and witnessing should be motivated by a love response, not by fear or guilt.

As with any study, this quarter’s lessons will help to increase a person’s store of biblical knowledge. That’s fine, but the goal is not just to gain knowledge, no matter how wonderful the knowledge. The goal is for us to use that knowledge for good, and in this context the greatest good is to give those who face eternal destruction the opportunity for eternal life.

That’s the reason for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. What better one could there be?

Joe A. Webb is pastor of Nambour and Yandina churches in the South Queensland Conference, Australia.


Contents:

Note: Our "Mobile" version uses BibleGateway, which works better for some mobile devices.
On the other hand, the original version works better for other mobile devices. So take your pick.

No. Study
Date
Topic Mobile
Version
Helps

April 7

Defining Evangelism and Witnessing 

Mobile Lesson 1

April 14

Every Member Ministry 

Mobile Lesson 2

April 21

Spiritual Gifts for Evangelism and Witnessing  

Mobile Lesson 3

April 28

Evangelism and Witnessing as a Lifestyle  

Mobile Lesson 4

May 5

Sequential Evangelism and Witnessing  

Mobile Lesson 5

May 12

Personal Evangelism and Witnessing  

Mobile Lesson 6

May 19

Corporate Evangelism and Witnessing  

Mobile Lesson 7

May 26

Equipping for Evangelism and Witnessing 

Mobile Lesson 8

June 2

Releasing Into Ministry  

Mobile Lesson 9

10

June 9

A Love Response  

Mobile Lesson 10

11

June 16

Let the Church Know  

Mobile Lesson 11

12

June 23

Evaluating Witnessing and Evangelism  

Mobile Lesson 12

13

June 30

A Perpetual Ministry  

Mobile Lesson 13

Principal Contributors:
Joe A. Webb
Editor:
Clifford R. Goldstein
Associate Editor:
Soraya L. Homayouni
Publication Manager:
Lea Alexander Greve

Editorial Assistant:
Sharon Thomas-Crews
Pacific Press Coordinator:
Wendy Marcum
Art Director and Illustrator:
Lars Justinen
Concept Design:
Dever Design


Sabbath School Study Helps

The Study Helps include all related scripture and most EGW quotations. The "New King James Version" of the Bible is used with permission.  The related Study Help is linked from each lesson and a link to the whole quarter's Helps is provided on this page.


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