Christian Life and Witness Course

Classes are being held from February 4th- March 1st 2008
(click for times and locations)

We are also holding Neighbourhood Discovery Group Training on February 4th and 6th
(click for times and locations)

Christian Life and Witness Course classes, and 'Gravity' for youth, are running for 4 weeks. An ideal opportunity to learn about sharing your faith in a real and meaningful way, these informative classes are being held in locations across Northern Ireland.

"We want to train a multitude of believers to take the Good News of Jesus Christ to people in the community who need to know the Lord." —Franklin Graham

"One of the greatest contributions we make in any Festival is through the Christian Life and Witness Course. No church member should miss the opportunity to take this." —Billy Graham

 

Learn How To: Apply God’s Word to your everyday life and answer the typical questions people ask about Christianity; learn what to say and how to say it.

Course Information

Course topics include:

The Effective Christian Life

The Victorious Christian Life

The Christian Witness

Follow-Up and Care of New Christians

How to Lead Small Group Bible Studies

Serving as an Encourager at the Festival

Times, dates & locations
Classes are being held from February 4th- March 1st 2008.
The course will be offered at numerous locations. Classes, from week to week, shall be identical in content across the locations, so you need not attend the same venue for the duration of the course.
Special 'Gravity' classes are being held for youth, featuring free food(!), local praise bands, and youth relevant videos. Other than that, identical material will be covered in all classes and so adults are welcome to attend Gravity classes too.

Festival Encouragers
Everyone 13 years of age and older is welcome to attend the Christian Life & Witness Course without any obligation of being a counsellor at the Festival. However, only those who attend these classes and complete an application may become Encouragers at the Festival.

Materials Needed
The course is free, and is taught by Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) personnel. No registration is necessary. All materials will be provided without cost. A free-will offering will be received. Please bring your Bible and a pen.

Special Note to Pastors
Pastors are encouraged to set the pace for their churches by attending the Course. Pastors are needed to be Counselor Supervisors at the Festival, and they must attend classes 3 & 4 to qualify.

Ideas Used by Pastors to Encourage Class Attendance:
Students 13 years of age and older were encouraged to attend the CLWC instead of their regularly scheduled youth group meeting.

Our Outreach Leader personally talked to all adults about CLWC attendance.

Small groups were relocated for four weeks to CLWC location(s).

Wednesday night Bible study was deferred to accommodate the CLWC schedule.

Sign-up sheets were passed during the service and then posted on the Festival bulletin board.

The CLWC was advertised through the church newsletter, bulletins, pulpit announcements, viewing of CLWC promo video, and illustrated on church bulletin boards.

CLWC was our primary church activity for four weeks.

Christian Life and Witness Course Content

Lesson 1 – The Effective Christian Life
In this class we will explore some of the key principles to effective Christian service:
· God’s Sovereignty
· Our life witness
· The role of the Holy Spirit
· The importance of Scripture
· Our faith response

Lesson 2 – The Victorious Christian Life
In this class we will answer the question, why is it that some believers grow in Christ to become mature, well-balanced, fruitful Christians, while others spend most of their lives defeated, frustrated and unproductive? We will explore:
· The role of adversity in building character
· God’s promise – fulfillment and joy
· Our problem – sinful, selfish desires
· God’s provision – forgiveness and restoration
· Our practice – dedication and surrender

Lesson 3 – The Christian’s Witness
In this class principles and tools to use in sharing the Gospel will be presented:
· Reflecting Christ in one’s personal life
· Earning the right to be heard by sincerely listening to others
· Presenting the Person of Jesus Christ
· Stressing the love of God
· Keeping it simple
· Serving as a Celebration Of Hope encourager (to qualify to be an encourager, one must attend the Christian Life and Witness course)

Lesson 4 – Follow-Up and the Care of New Christians
Follow-Up is the process of giving continued attention to new Christians until they are at home in the local church, find out how they can serve, develop their full potential in Jesus Christ and help to build Christ’s Church.

In this class we will explore our personal role in follow-up and learn how to facilitate a small group, discovery, Bible Study for those who respond to the invitation at the Celebration.