FRIENDSHIP EVANGELISM – Part 2 YOUNG ADULT CELLS MAR 2006

FRIENDSHIP EVANGELISM Member’s Notes

I. Introduction
Learning Outcomes:
In last week lesson, we learn that friendship evangelism is the most effective Understanding, Skill
way to win our friends to Christ. We looked into some biblical basis for
friendship evangelism and see how Jesus initiates conversation and present Objective:
the truth about Himself. At the end of this lesson,
you will be able to:
• Write a three-minute
In this week lesson, we will learn how we can evangelize our friends, namely
personal testimony for
through our ______________________.
evangelistic purpose.
• Practise sharing your
II. The First Step in Friendship Evangelism testimony to someone in
the cell.
A common reason for not sharing the gospel is not knowing how. As a
believer, commit to adopting a clear method of presenting the gospel. Some
of the people think that a method makes them “canned” or impersonal.
People who are highly effective in evangelism use a particular method. A
clear approach actually makes you more personal because you already know
what you will say regarding the Gospel, and you are freed up to enjoy the
person with whom you are talking to.

The first step in friendship evangelism is to carve out your personal

testimony. Sharing your personal testimony is non-threatening to your friends
and provides a platform for you to share the Gospel. Nobody can argue with
your personal experiences with God.

A careful prepared testimony, given in the power of the Holy Spirit can be of
immediate and effective use in nearly every witnessing situation.

III. How to Prepare a Three-Minute Testimony

1. Ask the Lord to give you _____________ and ___________ as you write.
(James 1:5,6)

2. Follow a 3-point outline: “My Life with Christ.”

I. Life before knowing Christ
II.How you came to know Christ (be specific)
III.Life after you received Christ (changes He has made and what He
means to you now.)

If you come from a Christian family and does not recall any conversion
experience, follow the below outline:
I. Any specific crisis situations in your life or family?
II.How did knowing Jesus make a difference in that situation?
III.What does knowing Jesus mean to you in your everyday life?

3. Begin with an interesting ____________________ sentence and close with

a ___________ conclusion. Include relevant, thought-provoking, secular
facts and experiences.

4. Write in such a way that others will feel ______________ with you in
__________ and present experiences.

5. Give enough ______________ to arouse interest.

6. Use at least _________, but at most _________ Scripture verses.

7. Edit _______________ and rewrite as necessary before the final draft.

8. Choose something characteristics of your experience that is of general

interest to non-Christians. Build your testimony around a __________ , for
example, success, life’s best, money, dreams of the future, God’s plan for
me, what I want most of life, desire to help others, etc.

9. Emphasize how the Lord make a ______________in your life.

Member’s Notes
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FRIENDSHIP EVANGELISM – Part 2 YOUNG ADULT CELLS MAR 2006

10.Remember, the same Christ lives in you, whether you trusted Him early or
later in life. Do not be concerned that your testimony be exciting, just that
it be _______________________.

11.Be __________________. Christ does not eliminate all the problems of

life, but enables you to live them out with peace and confidence.

12.Be ___________________, not negative, from start to finish.

13.Give your testimony in a group situation the same as you would to an

_______________________________.

IV. Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Making statements which reflect __________________ on the Church and
other organizations or people.

2. Preaching at _____________. Use your natural speaking voice. This is a

testimony, not a “preachimony”.

3. Using ________________.

4. Speaking with such ___________volume that you cannot be readily heard.

5. Speaking in glittering generalities or using words that are ____________

to non-Christians. Terms like “salvation”, “saved”, “born again” and “sin”
etc needs to be explained.

6. Using poor _______________, or exhibiting nervous habits (especially with

your hands).

7. Talking as you __________ to and fro in your seat.

8. Being _________________. (Adhere strictly to the time schedule).

V. How to Share Your Testimony Effectively

1. Share your testimony with loving _________________ in the power of the
Holy Spirit.

2. Speak loudly and clearly in a natural, __________ tone of voice.

3. Avoid _________________ when you speak, such as rubbing your nose,

jingling coins in your pocket, swaying etc.

4. Avoid ________________ and other high pressure methods of getting a

“decision” for Christ.

5. __________ often. Ask the Lord to give you a happy, radiant countenance.

6. ________________ your testimony and ______________ it until it

becomes natural.

7. ____________ the openness of your friend. If he is interested to know

more, proceed to share the _____________.

8. _____________ for your friend as you shares and ask God for insights to
issues pertaining to him/her.

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FRIENDSHIP EVANGELISM – Part 2 YOUNG ADULT CELLS MAR 2006

V
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Look through the sample testimony attached. Spend some time to think and
write your personal 3-minute testimony and practise sharing it with someone
in the cell.
0.5

Sample Testimony
Life Before When I was younger, I was rebelling against my parents by
deliberately doing things I know they did not approve of. Yet deep
down inside of me, my conscience tells me that I should not steal, tell
lies, and do those things that hurt my parents, my friends and myself.

(Life Concept I hated the things I did and wanted to change but the more I tried,
Illustrated) the worst I became. I felt powerless and hopeless in my struggles to
change. In fact, I felt a tremendous amount of guilt over my rebellion
Theme: and disobedience. There was so much guilt in me that there are times
Dealing with Guilt. I would wake up in the middle of the night, bearing out in cold sweat
and gripped by fear that if I die before things are made right, what
would happen to me?

Receiving Jesus One day, a friend came to me and spoke to me about Jesus Christ. I
did not believe at first but he challenged me to test God out. During
Scriptures used: this time when I was searching, I learnt that he came to die for my
Rom 5:8 sins and I could experience eternal life in him. Not only that, I learnt
Rom 8:1 that He loves me unconditionally. For the Bible says that “very rarely
will anyone dare to die even for a righteous man, but God
demonstrated in love for us in this: While we are still sinners, Christ
died for us.”

I began to open my heart and as I received Jesus, a flood of light

came into my life. A great sense of joy overcame me as I receive the
unconditional love of God. I know that Jesus had taken away my guilt
and shame for the Bible says that there is now no condemnation for
those who are in Christ Jesus.

Life Since That was 3 years ago.

(Life Concept Since knowing Jesus Christ, all my guilt have been dealt with. I have
Illustrated) peace and I am no longer terrified by the anxieties about life and
death because I know I have eternal life in Christ Jesus. I also have a
Theme: greater purpose in life knowing that God is always there to help me
Peace with God through this life. Becoming a Christian doesn’t mean that I will not
And purpose in have any problem in this world, but I know that God is always there
life. to help me. It is the greatest thing that ever happened to me.

Now, may I ask you a question?

Member’s Notes
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FRIENDSHIP EVANGELISM – Part 2 YOUNG ADULT CELLS MAR 2006

How NOT to give a Personal Testimony.

I was unsaved and needed to be saved. I was blessed when the Holy Spirit spoke and I
was born-again. My conversion happened when I put my faith in Jesus Christ, my LORD,
God and Messiah who died for the sins of the whole world. Praise God! Hallelujah! Amen!

I received salvation when I believed in the Gospel and was washed by the blood of the
Lamb of God according to the book of Revelation. I was persecuted and even lost all my
friends and my job. Praise Jesus! The Devil has been after me ever since. Praise His
wonderful name! The trails and tribulations are unbearable. I just hope that I can hold
on until Jesus Christ appears in the rapture and then maybe I will be able to go to
heaven. All praise and glory be given to Jesus forever and ever. Amen!

Personal Testimony Worksheet

Name: Cell Group:
Date:
Step 1: Life before/Crisis Situation

Step 2: Receiving Jesus/How knowing Jesus helped

Step 3: Life after knowing Jesus/What Jesus meant in everyday life

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FRIENDSHIP EVANGELISM – Part 2 YOUNG ADULT CELLS MAR 2006

Member’s Notes
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