Firenze, Day 4

I just realized I completely forgot to write a post about Florence. We took a day to visit some of the missionaries in Florence and tour the city. It was SO exhausting, and beautiful, and fun! :) Here are some pics from our day in Firenze:

Cool thing we did: We had the opportunity to go to the Galleria del'Accademia where Michaelangelo's David statue is. Probably one of the most incredible, amazing things I have ever seen!!! The picture above is actually a copy of the original put in the David's original space, in Piazza della Signoria. Too bad I couldn't take a picture of the real David, because it was incredible. So, if you want to see it, you're just gonna have to make a trip to Florence. :) The Accademia also holds Giambologna's Rape of the Sabines, and Botticelli's Madonna and Child & Madonna and the Sea. One of the coolest experiences ever.

On our arrival to Bologna from Florence, John decided to take a bet and take a dip in the pond. It was really cold. And he fell in. Hilarious. :)

Our team in front of the hotel on our last night. Sad to leave.

Effective Witnessing

Acts 8:26-40

What is your witnessing technique? Are you out for numbers only, beating people over the head with your testimony, hoping to mark notches on your spiritual belt? Or are you philosophical, enjoying deep discussions on religion, without communicating the simple message of Jesus? Or are you a silent witness, never opening your mouth about Jesus unless someone asks – and few, if any, ever do? Or are you simply... available?

Philip was available. He hadn’t gone to a Witnessing Conference, where he did role-play scenarios practicing various witnessing techniques. He hadn’t studied up on the way others approached people about Jesus, pouring through book after book getting ideas for the right things to say at the right moment. He hadn’t memorized the “Roman Road” with all the associated commentary so he could repeat it verbatim to anyone he ran across. Nope… he hadn’t done any of these things. He was merely available.

Take a moment to read Acts 8:26-40 once more (use the link above), and then think about what Philip did.

First of all, Philip was led by the Spirit (v. 26). This means he was leading the kind of life that allowed him to hear when the Spirit spoke to him. He had a deep, personal relationship with Jesus and was open to what His Spirit led him to do.

Next, Philip was obedient (v. 27), acting upon what the Spirit told him to do. Once he was in the company of the statesman, he didn't leap right into witnessing or giving a long, theological discourse. He talked with the man, listening and looking for the right opening (v. 30). He asked a simple, leading question. Noticing that the statesman was reading Isaiah, the prophet, Philip said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" That opened the conversation wide for a good discussion, didn't it? When the statesman responded (v. 31-34), Philip was tactful, opened his mouth, and "began to preach Jesus to him"… just that simple. No long treatise on religion… no confusing doctrinal garbledegook… no long, pre-rehearsed discourse filled with “Christianese” words that only a long-time Christian would understand… None of that… Instead, Philip’s shared the simple message of Jesus and Him crucified (v. 35). The results? Read verses 36-38 for yourself.

Study Philip's method of witnessing. If you really want to learn a witnessing “technique” by heart, this is the one to follow. The steps are simple, uncomplicated, and easy. All you have to do is be available.

Devotional by Dogwood Ministries Inc.