Lifestyle Witnessing Lesson 4: Witness with the Teaching of Election in Mind

Lifestyle Witnessing • Lesson Four • Witness with the Teaching of Election in Mind 1. The church grows by grace • 2. Election gives confidence to witness

Prayer The Lord will not forsake his flock, His chosen generation; He is their refuge and their rock, Their peace and their salvation. As with a mother’s tender hand He leads his own, his chosen band—To God all praise and glory!

Lord, ’tis not that I did choose you; That, I know, could never be, For this heart would still refuse you Had your grace not chosen me. You removed the sin that stained me, Cleansing me to be your own; For this purpose you ordained me, That I live for you alone. Amen.

(Christian Worship 236:3 and 380:1)

Witnessing Activity Report Spend a few minutes talking about witnessing joys and frustrations, triumphs and failures.

Introduction Imagine meeting a visitor as you leave church. What if that person’s conversion depended on you doing or saying the right thing? How would you feel? Thank God, it doesn’t. Our salvation, from beginning to end, depends on God’s work. And he wants all to be saved.

Today we’re going to discover the connection between election and witnessing.

Studying God’s Word The church grows by grace Ephesians 1:3-14.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

4 He did this when he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ. He did this in accordance with the good purpose of his will, 6 and for the praise of his glorious grace, which he has graciously given us in the one he loves.

7 In him we also have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in keeping with the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished on us in all wisdom and insight. 9 He made known to us the mystery of his will in keeping with his good purpose, which he planned in Christ. 10 This was to be carried out when the time had fully come, in order to bring all things together in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth.

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In him we have also obtained an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in keeping with the purpose of his will. 12 He did this so that his glory would be praised as a result of us, who were the first to hope in Christ.

13 In him, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and in him, when you also believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. 14 He is the down payment of our inheritance until the redemption of God’s own possession, so that his glory would be praised.

1. Underline words or phrases that describe what God has done for you.

2. Circle two phrases in verse 13 that describe what you do. Consider Ephesians 2:8,9 (Indeed, it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast), then cross out the thing that we do only because the Holy Spirit has worked in us the desire and ability to do it. What do you have left?

3. What comfort do we find in the teaching of election?

4. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 says, “This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” What does this verse teach us about those who ultimately are lost?

Acts 13:44-48 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of God. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with envy and began to contradict what Paul was saying by slandering him.

Then Paul and Barnabas responded fearlessly, “It was necessary that God’s word be spoken to you first. But since you reject it and consider yourselves unworthy of eternal life, look: We are now turning to the Gentiles! 47 For this is what the Lord has instructed us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the end of the earth.’”

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When the Gentiles heard this, they were rejoicing and praising the word of the Lord.

All who had been appointed for eternal life believed.

1. Some Jews rejected the Word of the Lord because “they were filled with envy.” Why do you think they were jealous?

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2. Some of the people who heard the apostles came to faith. “They were rejoicing and praising the word of the Lord” (verse 48). How might these people have shown their gladness and honor for the Word of the Lord?

3. Reread verse 48. How does Luke, the author of Acts, apply the doctrine of election to Paul’s evangelism?

His Word in My Life Agree or disagree: “Since God chose from eternity who would be saved, I don’t have to be concerned about telling others about Jesus.” Explain your answer.

The Jews of Antioch rejected Paul’s witness because they were jealous. For what reasons might people become jealous of your Christian life?

How do you know when a person won’t believe and it’s time to give up on your witness?

We are to think of all people as though they are elect. What makes that difficult?

God told us about the teaching of election to encourage us to rely on his grace.

Election gives confidence to witness Acts 18:1-11 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them. 3 Because he had the same occupation, he stayed and worked with them, for they were tentmakers by trade. 4 Every Sabbath he led a discussion in the synagogue, trying to persuade both Jews and Greeks.

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When Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was entirely devoted to preaching the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 6 But when they opposed Paul and slandered him, he shook out his clothes and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles!”

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He left that place and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshipper of God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the synagogue leader, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians, when they heard, believed and were baptized.

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid, but keep on speaking, and do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 He stayed there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

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1. What made it possible for Paul to start a church in Corinth?

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2. Reread verse 9. How do you think the Lord’s “little talk” with Paul affected his attitude and zeal?

3. A year and a half was a long time for Paul to stay in one place. Why do you think he stayed so long?

His Word in My Life Our salvation was Jesus’ work. Our faith is the Spirit’s gift. Our election is God’s choice.

Where do our witness and lifestyles fit in?

How does the Bible’s teaching of election help you in witnessing?

Aquila, Priscilla, Silas, Timothy, Titius Justus, and Crispus were people God had used to sustain and grow his church. Name some people you personally have seen God use to build his church.

God’s election frees us from pressure as we witness. This comforting truth builds joy into the sharing of our faith!

Summary Without a proper understanding of election, we become a reason a person comes to faith. The burden is on us. But God will bring into his church all who are his. Our role is to show his love and speak his Word. We must go forward with the knowledge that God wants all to be saved.

Life with God God’s motive for choosing you is his grace. Search your daily readings for insights on his grace. Jot down your thoughts to share with the group next time.

• Day 1: Read Romans 8:14-17.

• Day 2: Read 1 Peter 1:1,2,20.

• Day 3: Read Galatians 4:8,9.

• Day 4: Read Romans 8:28-34.

• Day 5: Read 2 Thessalonians 2:13.

• Day 6: Read 2 Timothy 1:9, and plan your witnessing activity report for the group.