As a Challenger leader you will have the opportunity to share with youth what it means to be a Christian. Every Challenger leader needs to become aware of age-appropriate ways they can share the message of Christ. Youth are inquisitive creatures by nature, and they will inquire about what it means to be a Christian and what they have to do to become a Christian.
Leaders need to exercise prayer and great care in the matter of sharing answers concerning spiritual matters with youth. Our role is that of seed planters, allowing the Holy Spirit to water the seeds of faith. We are called to lift up Jesus Christ and allow Him to draw all men unto Himself. We need to become spiritually sensitive to the activity of God, and not hinder young men from coming to Him. Knowing that the invitation never ends for those whom the Father draws to Christ.
Personal Testimony
To witness literally means to tell what you have seen or heard from first-hand experience. When witnessing, you are sharing your personal experience and relationship with Jesus Christ. Without a personal "Love" relationship with Christ, you have nothing to share. Be able to explain how you personally talk with Jesus through prayer, what it feels like to have the Holy Spirit working inside you, how Jesus speaks to you, how He helps you in everyday life, what it means to give Him control of your life, and how you value His friendship and guidance. It is important to be able to tell youth how you came to know Christ personally. Developing a personal relationship with a young man provides the best opportunity to share this witness in a meaningful way.
Explaining the Message of Christ
The Bible gives first-hand knowledge of Jesus Christ and the way to have a relationship with Him. It is a powerful witnessing tool. It is important to know Scripture verses in order to help explain how one can accept the gift of God – salvation. The "Roman Road," listed below, is a good plan to know. This method of presenting the gospel includes Scripture verses taken from the Book of Romans.
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Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
- All have missed the mark in obeying God and knowing Him personally.
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Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Separation from God results in death, but Jesus can give us eternal life.
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Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
- Because God loves us, He sent His Son to take our place in death – the punishment we should have received for our sins.
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Romans 10:9-10 – That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
- To accept the gift God offers, you must:
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Ask God to forgive your sins.
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Believe that God forgives you for disobeying Him and accepts you as you are.
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Believe that Jesus died in your place, and then God raised Him from the dead. Jesus is a real person who is alive today and is ready for you to know Him personally.
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Ask Jesus to take control of your life. Begin your personal relationship with Him.
Remember that you are telling about a person, not explaining a scientific formula. Ask questions that will give you some idea of the youth’s understanding. Realize that you cannot make the decision for a young man, nor do you have the power to save them. Only the Holy Spirit can work in the life of an individual to bring them to Christ. Only a relationship with Jesus Christ will save a person.