“You will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere.” Acts 1:8 (NLT)
The most effective way to let other people know about the great things that God can do in their lives is to tell them the story of what God has done in your life. That is what makes a difference.
Jesus said in Acts 1:8, “You will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere” (NLT). When I hear the word “witness,” I think of a courtroom. It’s a perfect picture of what God’s asking us to do to make a difference in the world. He doesn’t tell us to be the attorney, arguing the case. He doesn’t tell us to be the judge, judging other people. He wants us to be his witnesses.
What does a witness do? A witness just says, “Here’s what I’ve seen. Here’s what I heard.” A witness tells other people the story of what God has done in their life.
Friends don’t keep good news from their friends. You tell your friends the good news of what God has done in your life so that it can make an eternal difference in their lives.
Are you unsure how to get started? Here’s a simple action step: Write out your story and share it with your small group. Start sharing with the people who are close to you so you can get some practice. Then God will give you the opportunity to share your story with someone who needs to hear the Good News.
You may think you don’t have a story that’s interesting or compelling enough to share. But if God has saved you from your sin and given you hope and joy that lasts forever, then that will never be boring! It will be the greatest news you could ever tell someone.
“Come and listen . . . and I will tell you what [God] has done for me” (Psalm 66:16 GNT).
Who in your life needs to hear about what God has done for you?
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
Talk It Over
What insecurities do you have about witnessing to people?
How do your fears change or dissipate when you read that you can simply share your story with someone to start a conversation about the Gospel?
Why do you think it’s important to write down your story?
This devotional © 2023 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Friends don’t keep good news from their friends. Find out how to tell your friends the Good News of what God has done in your life so that it can make an eternal difference in their lives in today’s #DailyHope devotional.
Rick Warren Bio
Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church, one of America’s largest and most influential churches. Pastor Rick is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Purpose Driven Life. His book The Purpose Driven Church was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th century. Pastor Rick created The PEACE Plan to address the five global giants—spiritual emptiness, self-serving leadership, poverty, disease, and illiteracy—through the power of ordinary people in the local church. His Daily Hope broadcast and daily devotionals are offered around the world. You can listen to the broadcast or sign up for the free devotionals at PastorRick.com.
Tags
40 Days of Community – 2023, Community, Evangelism, Friends, Saved, God’s Love, Small Groups, Encouragement, Acts 1, Psalm 66
Broadcast Series: 40 Days of Community – 2023
Sermon Series: 40 Days of Community
Sermon: 016202_Reaching Out Together
