What does it truly mean to be a witness for Jesus?

In today’s Reading Room session, Matt continues through the Doing as Jesus Did section of Practicing the Way, exploring the call to preach the gospel — not merely through arguments or techniques, but through a transformed life.

This episode challenges the common fear and pressure many believers feel around evangelism and reframes witnessing in a deeply freeing way:

A witness simply tells what they have seen and experienced.

Witness is not merely something we do — it is something we are.

Jesus said:

We are not salespeople trying to “close the deal.”

We are people who bear witness to the life of Christ we ourselves have encountered.

One of the strongest insights from today’s reading:

• People have agency and free will
• Salvation involves both God’s initiative and human response
• Our role is faithfulness, not control

Matt also reflects on the famous phrase from John Wimber:

This section explores:

• Spiritual gifts
• Healing
• Prophetic encouragement
• Words of knowledge
• Living naturally supernatural lives

Not in manipulation or hype —

but in calm, loving, Spirit-led ways.

One of the most compelling sections of the reading centers on 1 Peter 2:12.

The Greek word translated “good” can also mean:

• beautiful
• lovely
• compelling

The early church often evangelized not through celebrity platforms —

but through ordinary believers living radically different lives:

• practicing Sabbath
• hospitality
• generosity
• community
• faithfulness in marriage
• emotionally healthy relationships
• serving others

A striking insight from today’s reading:

The Greek word for witness is closely connected to the word martyr.

In the early church:

• witnessing often cost reputation
• comfort
• status
• ambition
• sometimes even life itself

Matt reflects honestly on how difficult this can be in modern culture:

to remain faithful while risking rejection, misunderstanding, or embarrassment.

1. What was your first reaction when you realized believers are called to preach the gospel?
2. Could learning to become a better listener actually make us better witnesses for Christ?
3. Are people drawn toward the beauty and peace of your life with Jesus?

Sometimes we make evangelism far more complicated than it needs to be.

As we truly walk with Jesus…

as we live in healthy community…

as our lives are transformed…

the gospel begins to naturally overflow from us.

Not forced.

Not mechanical.

But alive.

Next Reading Room session:

Continuing through:

Be with Jesus.

Become like Him.

Do as He did.