As we go out to speak the greatness of God’s Word to others, we prepare ourselves. We fill our hearts with the Word and consider how to share it with others. We also stay willing to speak for God, actively watching for opportunities to do so. By preparing, acting with willingness, and applying some practical keys, we can make speaking God’s Word our way of life.
We want to be fully prepared to speak God’s Word.
Colossians 3:16:
Let the word of [pertaining to] Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Our first essential step to prepare to speak God’s Word is to let His Word dwell in us richly. Then we can give some careful thought to sharing the Word in a way that helps people.
Colossians 4:6:
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer [respond to] every man [every one].
With God’s Word dwelling richly in us, we now consider how to speak it with grace. We want to speak what meets people’s needs, so we listen to them with care and patience. This helps us to answer everyone in the proper manner.
Preparing to speak also includes knowing and utilizing our Way Ministry resources. The ministry Web sites and social media handle a wealth of topics that cover so many aspects of life. In addition to speaking the Word to someone, we can direct them to a resource they can use when we are not with them.
To make speaking God’s Word our way of life, we also want to be willing. We want to speak God’s Word. We don’t limit ourselves to specific witnessing times or wait for someone else to act first. We watch for the opportunity to speak everywhere we go, even in settings that are unfamiliar or situations where others seem unreceptive. The Apostle Paul in Athens is a vivid example of someone who was willing to speak God’s Word, no matter the situation.
Acts 17:16:
Now while Paul waited for them [Silas and Timothy] at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
Not only was Paul without his companions, he was also in a city that wholly worshipped idols. A scenario like this could have been reason to hold back, to perhaps wait for another believer to join him, or to assume that the people of the city would not respond to God’s Word. But Paul wanted to speak the Word.
Acts 17:17:
Therefore disputed [conversed] he in the synagogue with the Jews [Judeans], and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.
What was Paul disputing, or conversing, about? Verse 18 explains that “he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.” God gives us this powerful example of someone who was prepared and willing, so we can see ourselves being the same.
Now let’s look at three practical tips that can help us be prepared and willing to speak God’s Word:
- Develop a habit of awareness whenever you are out. Observe the people and situations around you; pay attention. Look for ways to be helpful to people, and be willing to interact.
- Prepare a clear, succinct, one- or two-minute sharing of your story of deliverance, or a sharing to describe our ministry to others. This way you can be confident and prepared to speak.
- Make a habit of sharing a Biblical truth or practical learning with fellow believers any time you have the opportunity, not just at fellowship meetings. The more we put into words what impacts us from the Word, the more comfortable we will be to speak to anyone, anywhere.
We can be prepared to speak when we keep the Word dwelling in us richly and consider how it relates to the concerns and needs of people around us. Like the Apostle Paul, no matter the situation, we can be willing to speak the Word and seek the opportunity wherever we go. And there are simple things we can do that will help keep us prepared and willing to speak God’s Word so it becomes our way of life. Let’s give our all to be prepared and willing to speak God’s Word, confidently bringing joy and answers to those we speak to.