To Inspire Training for Witness

Official Workbook overture source text

1-11 
To Inspire Training for Witness 
WHEREAS, Jesus Christ commands His people to make disciples 
by Baptism and teaching (Matt. 28:19–20); and 
WHEREAS, Christians as God’s people are to “proclaim the 
excellencies of him who called [us] out of darkness into his 
marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9) and to maintain constant preparation 
“to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope 
that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15); and 
WHEREAS, Martin Luther observed, “We live on earth for no 
other purpose than to be helpful to others. Otherwise it would be 
best for God to take away our breath and let us die as soon as we 
are baptized and have begun to believe. But He lets us live here in 
order that we may lead other people to believe, doing for them what 
He has done for us” ( What Luther Says  
[CPH, 1959] §3021; WA 
12:267), and “The godly rejoice when the Gospel is widely spread, 
many come to faith, and Christ’s kingdom is increased in this way” 
(What Luther Says [CPH, 1959] §3013; WA 40:II:18); and 
W
HEREAS, We teach “that the kingdom of God would come 
among us, and so we pray that … God’s Word would be proclaimed 
throughout the world—also by us — that His Spirit might bring 
others under His gracious reign” ( Luther’s Small Catechism with 
Explanation [CPH, 2017], 249); and 
WHEREAS, Christians know and interact with many non -
Christians and unchurched people through their vocations and daily 
lives (e.g., family, coworkers, classmates); and 
WHEREAS, Most people who attend church for the first time or 
for the first time in a long time do so at the invitation of a member 
who has a relationship with them; and 
W
HEREAS, In this sinful world, Christians are often hesitant or 
fearful to speak of Christ with others; and 
WHEREAS, Such hesitancy and fearfulness can be addressed 
through teaching and learning not only the biblical message of the 
Gospel but also particular ways to become conversant concerning 
it; and 
WHEREAS, There are resources for learning how to share the 
faith, such as Synod’s Every One His Witness , Ongoing 
Ambassadors for Christ, Jesus Door-2- Door, Lutheran Hour 
Ministries’ Spiritual Conversations workshops, and so forth, that 
help prepare Christians for witness to people from various specific 
backgrounds; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Oklahoma District continue to preach Christ 
crucified for sinners so that all might believe and be saved; a nd be 
it further 
Resolved, That the district encourage its pastors and other church 
workers to inculcate a desire in people to witness, consistent with 
the Lutheran Confessions, particularly to unchurched people; and 
be it further 
Resolved
, That the district in convention encourage all the 
baptized members of her congregations to recognize they are 
Christ’s witnesses wherever they are; and be it further