During the January series we're looking at 5 areas of our spiritual life in which each of us must take personal responsibility.

-January 3rd we covered the study of God's Word and the skill of Bible Reading.
-January 10th we looked at the need to seek God's face in which we looked at the skill of prayer.
-Today we are going to learn why we should Share God's Message and the importance of the skill of witnessing to others about our faith in Jesus.

We've kicked off a year long Bible study plan called The Great Ones in which we read 1 or 2 key chapters a week. A bible study booklet that aids us in this reading plan can be purchased in CJ's for $2 each.

Witnessing is nothing more than telling starving people how to find bread.
Scripture tells us that mankind has a deep spiritual need that only God can meet or fill. Jesus Himself said in John 6:51 that He is the "bread of life", in other words the ultimate answer for forgiveness, fulfillment, and future hope.

As followers of Jesus we are to share God's message concerning this "good news" to those we come in contact with.
2 Corinthians 5:20 [NCV]

This morning's message is divided into two portions:
First - an encouragement to do what God expects us to do (share His Message)
Second - an equipping offere to enable you to be more effective and confident in this skill of witnessing (will cover this at the end of the service)

The first part of the message is a video featuring Pastor David Platt of McLean Bible Church. David is going to lift our spirits and challenge our hearts in the area of witnessing.

Four Truths to Encourage you to Witness/Share God's Message:

First - Opportunities for the gospel are INNUMERABLE.

Second - Opposition to the gospel is INEVITABLE.

Third - Our God is ALL-POWERFUL.

Fourth - Our Mission is UNSTOPPABLE.

Witnessing is really very simple. We are to:

1. Give EVIDENCE for the truth we proclaim.

2. Explain our own ENCOUNTER with Jesus.

3. Tell others how our EXPERIENCE with God has changed our life.

Here at Grace we have multiple classes to teach you how to be effective in witnessing and how to have confidence in Sharing God’s Message.

If you would like to receive some basic equipping in this area and have access to resources that will help you to be obedient to God’s desire for your life; I ask that you to take the following two steps:

1 - Register at the Welcome Kiosk in the lobby or online (see link below) for a new Online Witnessing Course. This is something new that will get you moving in the right direction. The staff and Elders will do our best to support your growth in this area if you have the WANT TO and then the WILL DO.

2 - Begin to pray that God would create opportunities for you to be used in the lives of others: To Pray, Befriend, Serve, Care for, and to Talk about Jesus.

Birthdays and Anniversaries:

Monday, January 18 - Darwin & Tammie Reid, Eric & Heidi Westendorp
Tuesday, January 19 - Bonnie Maker
Thursday, January 21 - Allan Meehan
Friday, January 22 - Vadik Stephens