Connection Central

The Importance of a Testimony

No one else has had the unique set of experiences that God has given to you. However, many people have had similar experiences and will identify with your problems, because “there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man …” (I Corinthians 10:13). An effective testimony shares with others how we have experienced the power of God in our lives through obedience to Christ’s commands. Therefore, the goal in sharing our personal struggles with others is to help them find God’s solutions for similar problems they may be facing. One way to share with others how God has worked in our lives is to use a four-part testimony.

The Basic Outline

1. Define the problem. People relate to problems. In fact, sharing problems can promote healing. We are told, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed” (James 5:16). Problems should be stated in general terms rather than using specific details that may have happened only to you. For instance, if you had a disagreement with your parents, do not focus on the details of the disagreement; rather, state the problem in a more general way, such as: “For many years I had reoccurring conflicts with my parents.” Most people will be able to readily identify with this problem.

2. Describe your “solution.” Explain how you tried to solve the problem in your own way only to make it worse. For example, you could say, “I tried to reason with my parents, but it always ended up in heated arguments that caused further separation.”

3. Explain God’s answer. What command of Christ or Biblical principles did you apply in order to resolve the problem? “I finally realized that I was not honoring my father and mother, and they were reacting to my spirit of pride and disrespect. I asked them to forgive me for this.”

4. Report the results. Describe how God’s solution has brought new resolution to the problem. “When I humbled myself, my parents also asked me to forgive them for their actions, and we now are able to enjoy open communication.”

The more precise and practical these are, the more others will want to hear them. This will result in a growing sense of a fulfillment in your life as you realize that God is making you a “living epistle” that He wants those around you to know and read. (See II Corinthians 3:2-3.)

The Power of a Four-Part Testimony

This is how the Basic Seminar was started. It was simply my attempt to explain to others the things God had taught me. Our human tendency is to not recognize God’s “classrooms” as opportunities to learn and apply His commands. Therefore, the next time a conflict arises, let us ask ourselves what commands relate to the situation and then obey them so that we can enjoy God’s lasting solutions. Then take the time to write out your testimony in a four-part format. These documented experiences will give you a powerful platform for discipling others.

Frozen T-Shirts

Equipment: T-shirts -one for each team.

In preparation for the game, soak the t-shirts in water, fold them in a ball, and put them in a freezer for longer than 3 hours. When you want to play the game, take the t-shirts out. The first team with a t-shirt on a person wins. Because the shirt is frozen, this game could take 15-20 minutes!

Here are 12 simple guidelines that will help you succeed in this spring season 2009

1. Make Calendar with dates, times & locations

2. Use the attendance sheet provided.

3. Draw people to you. Invite the people you meet, at church, at work… wherever you have opportunity.

4. Manage your groups. Check on the people who are absent. Keep track of the people who join you.

5. Stick to your promotion.

6. Don’t be afraid of food. If you can, have a hospitality committee in your group.

7. Be sensitive to time. We suggest an official ending time for your meeting where people can feel at liberty to leave. We also suggest having a final time thirty minutes after that.

8. Be vigilant to manage your group in discussions so that everyone has an equal opportunity to participate.

9. Numbers are not important! It is only important that people connect.

10. Groups should end the week of May 17-23, 2009.

11. Please plan to attend our Spring 2009 Thank You Debrief Celebration -Sunday at 6:00 pm –May 24th.

12. Report and relate to Your LIFE Group Coaches

Nanette Mudiam and Nancy Mitchell – Prophetic and Prayer Groups

Bill Byrd and Cecil Kessler – Hobbies and Sports Groups

Steve Waters and Huck Fincher – Ministry and Missions Groups

Sai Mudiam and Mark Harris – Books and Bible Studies

Santiago Hechart– Fellowship, Food, and Fun Groups

I am complete in Him Who is the Head of all principality and power (Colossians 2:10).

I am alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5).

I am free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).

I am far from oppression, and fear does not come near me (Isaiah 54:14).

I am born of God, and the evil one does not touch me (I John 5:18).

I am holy and without blame before Him in love (I Peter 1:16; Ephesians 1:4).

I have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5; I Corinthians 2:16).

I have the peace of God that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

I have the Greater One living in me; greater is He Who is in me than he who is in the world (I John 4:4).

I have received the gift of righteousness and reign as a king in life by Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17).

I have received the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus, the eyes of my understanding being enlightened (Ephesians 1:17,18).

I have received the power of the Holy Spirit to lay hands on the sick and see them recover, to cast out demons, to speak with new tongues. I have power over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means harm me (Mark 16:17-18; Luke 10:17,19).

I have put off the old man and have put on the new man, which is renewed in the knowledge after the image of Him Who created me (Colossians 3:9,10).

I have given, and it is given to me; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, men give into my bosom (Luke 6:38).

I have no lack for my God supplies all of my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

I can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one with my shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16).

I can do all things through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:13).

I shall do even greater works than Christ Jesus (John 14:12).

I show forth the praises of God Who has called me out of darkness into His marvelous light
(I Peter 2:9).

I am God’s child ⎯ for I am born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God, which lives and abides forever (I Peter 1:23).

I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ unto good works (Ephesians 2:10).

I am a new creature in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17).

I am a spirit being ⎯ alive to God (I Thessalonians 5:23; Romans 6:11).

I am a believer, and the light of the Gospel shines in my mind (II Corinthians 4:4).

I am a doer of the Word and blessed in my actions (James 1:22,25).

I am a joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17).

I am more than a conqueror through Him Who loves me (Romans 8:37).

I am an over comer by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony (Revelation 12:11).

I am a partaker of His divine nature (II Peter 1:3,4).

I am an ambassador for Christ (II Corinthians 5:20).

I am part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people
(I Peter 2:9).

I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ (II Corinthians 5:21).

I am the temple of the Holy Spirit; I am not my own (I Corinthians 6:19).

I am the head and not the tail; I am above only and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13).

I am the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).

I am His elect, full of mercy, kindness, humility, and longsuffering (Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12).

I am forgiven of all my sins and washed in the Blood (Ephesians 1:7).

I am delivered from the power of darkness and translated into God’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13).

I am redeemed from the curse of sin, sickness, and poverty (Galatians 3:13; Deuteronomy 28:15-68).

I am firmly rooted, built up, established in my faith and overflowing with gratitude (Colossians 2:7).

I am called of God to be the voice of His praise (II Timothy 1:9; Psalm 66:8).

I am healed by the stripes of Jesus (I Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:5).

I am raised up with Christ and seated in heavenly places (Colossians 2:12; Ephesians 2:6).

I am greatly loved by God (Colossians 3:12; Romans 1:7; I Thessalonians 1:4; Ephesians 2:4).

I am strengthened with all might according to His glorious power (Colossians 1:11).

I am submitted to God, and the devil flees from me because I resist him in the Name of Jesus
(James 4:7).

I press on toward the goal to win the prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward
(Philippians 3:14).

For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, love, and a sound mind (II Timothy 1:7).

It is not I who live, but Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20).

1. A day without sunshine is like night.

2. On the other hand, you have different fingers.

3. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.

4. 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.

5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.

6. He who laughs last, thinks slowest.

7. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.

8. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.

9. Support bacteria. They're the only culture some people have.

10. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

11. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.

12. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.

13. How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand.

14. OK, so what's the speed of dark?

15. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

16. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.

17. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?

18. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

19. What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?

20. Why do psychics have to ask you your name?

21. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, 'What the heck happened?'

22. Just remember -- if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.

23. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

String Toss Game

Get a spool of string or yarn. Have each person answer 3 to 5 questions about themselves when they have the string in their possession. They then hold on to the string and throw the ball/spool to another so they can answer the questions. You eventually create a web of some sort. In the end, describe how the web is analogous to the group in that we all play a part in creating the web, connecting to each other, and that if one person was gone it would look different. Likewise, it is important that we all take part to make the group what it is, unique and special.

Here are some questions:

1. Where were you born?

2. What is your job?

3. How did you find out about our group?

4. What’s your favorite food?

5. What is your passion?


Have fun playing it!

Dear Life Group Leaders,

It is so exciting to communicate with you.

By now I am sure that you have either started your Life Group or about to start. We would like to let you know how proud we are of you in launching out in this exciting ministry. We want to make sure you have the information and the tools you need to serve the people God sends your way.

To this end we will continue posting icebreakers, lessons, and articles that will help you be effective in your service.

We encourage you to communicate with us your challenges, your prayer requests, your testimonies, and your praise reports. We are here for you! Next week we will be advertising the Life Groups on the WAIO News so it will be great if you could e-mail us some group pictures of your meetings.

Thanks again for serving the Lord and our Word Alive family through this ministry!

We love you and appreciate you.

Sincerely,

WAIO Pastoral Care Dept.- Bill Byrd, Santiago Hechart, Nanette Mudiam, Mark Harris, Nancy Mitchell