WITNESSING REPORT ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
OVERVIEW
This being a course in personal evangelism, it is only natural that we seek to practice what we study. Ultimately, the only way to learn how to witness is to do it! Therefore, you are required to share your faith with in at least 3 separate encounters with at least 3 different unsaved people during this semester. This is your last encounter. Whenever possible, intentionally seek to reach into your “Jerusalem” where you live, work, and play – make evangelism a daily lifestyle.
Witnessing encounters must be completed within the timeline of this course. No prophetic or posthumous reports will be accepted. For full credit, the witnessing opportunity must be brought to the point of seeking a response. This means that you need to demonstrate intentionality in reference to presenting Christ and offering an opportunity for a response. The listener’s response is not the issue; rather it is our intentional obedience to the Holy Spirit in calling people to follow Christ. Please remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit and demonstrate a loving approach.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. The Witnessing Report should be a true, face-to-face encounter with an unbeliever (a person who is not born again) during the current semester.
a. Virtual encounters via FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype are allowed for the report only with special permission from the professor.
b. You are not permitted to document a “mock” or “role-played” encounter.
2. You must share the gospel with an unbeliever. It is not acceptable to simply invite them to church, have a religious discussion, hand them a tract, share your testimony, pray for them, or even serve them, without actually sharing the gospel. Sharing the gospel is the key.
3. One goal of this encounter is to help you adapt to people of different cultural and philosophical backgrounds in your conversation. Keep this in mind as you are sharing with others and if you were able to make cultural adjustments, make sure that you reflect that in your paper.
4. If you share your faith with someone and during the conversation you find out that they are already saved, you must find another individual who is not saved to witness to and document for the Witnessing Report.
How to Write the Witnessing Report:
There are three sections to this Witnessing Report:
Part ONE – What were the circumstances surrounding your conversation with the unbelieving person when you presented the gospel?
• For example, where were you/what were you doing/what was going on when you began your conversation with the unbeliever?
• How did you begin the gospel conversation?
• To the best of your knowledge, what is the cultural background of the person you shared with? ex: religious background, cultural perspective, church experience.
• Were you able to adapt your conversation or presentation of the gospel to the person’s cultural background? If so, how?
Part TWO – What was the reaction (questions/comments/statements) of the unbeliever?
• For example, was he/she hostile, penitent, curious, confused, etc.? Explain, offer examples, paraphrased quotes, etc…
Part THREE – What did you do/say to the person in light of the person’s reaction to your presentation of the Gospel?
• For example, if his/her reaction was to accept Christ, what did you say to them – did you pray with them, etc.?
• If his/her reaction was not to accept Christ at this time, what did you say to them – did you ask if you could pray for them?
• Did you ask them if it was ok if you could pray for them this week that they will sincerely think about what was said in this conversation?
• Did you rehearse some important points made during the conversation so that it would “stick” with them after you parted ways? Explain.
Each of the 3 witnessing encounters must be summarized in a 1 – 2-page report using 12-point, Times New Roman font, double-spaced and adhering to the current Turabian format.
IMPORTANT: The Witnessing Report is not graded on the quality of the encounter, your performance, or the individual’s reaction. It is simply graded on whether or not you meet the requirements of the assignment listed above – you must actually share the gospel. The point of this assignment is to create life skills and accountability related to sharing Christ as a natural part of daily life. As Christians, we are all expected to be willing and obedient participants in the Great Commission. As you know from this class, that definitely includes sharing the gospel!!!
