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A few weeks ago, I was reading in the book of Judges and I was struck by something that had been plaguing me for some time.
When my husband and I pastored a church we had several missions. Two of those missions were to minister to the people inside the church and reach the unchurched and those who were no longer walking with the Lord.
But what was the key. At times we became frustrated by the future generations and even our own children when it came to church and being involved. Yet, we didn’t know how to bridge the gap. We did everything we had been taught or had read in books but something seemed to be missing. What was the key?
What is the “Key” to building a legacy in families of those who serve the Lord generation after generation?
What is the “Key for reaching the unchurched?
Why does one generation serve the Lord and the next one turn away?
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I feel part of the answer is found in Judges Chapter 2
Now that whole generation, the generation that had walked with Moses—the generation that saw the walls of Jericho fall—that generation passed on, and another generation grew up after them, a generation that did not know the Eternal and had not seen the great works He had done for Israel. Consequently this new generation served the gods of Canaan—the Baals as they were called—doing what the Eternal God considered evil. They abandoned the Eternal One, the True God of their ancestors, who brought them safely out of Egypt. Instead, they began to serve the gods of their neighbors, the Canaanites, bowing low before their images, causing the Eternal to burn with anger. (Judges 2: 10-12 The Voice).
As I read this verses, it was as if a lightbulb went on. In the church, we put a lot of importance and weight on the testimony. Testimonies are great and build our faith and the faith of others to believe if God did it once, He will do it again. Testimonies are powerful. They are important. but if the stories we tell of what God has done for us in the past or even what He did for us today are all we share then we are missing the mark. It’s not enough for people to just hear about our testimonies, we must invite them into an encounter where they can have their own testimonies with Jesus.
As I read Judges 2 this time, it suddenly brought clarity I had not had before. I serve the Lord, not only because I have read the Bible or heard the testimonies of who He is and what He has done for others. BUT, I serve the Lord and am a believer because I have had my own encounters with Him. My own personal encounters with the Lord lead to my personally testimonies. YAY… Yes, this is all great news, but it must be more than that.
As we read in Judges, the generations that walked with God and saw Him move mightily first hand, KNEW God. They didn’t just read about Him or hear about HIm. They experienced Him.
We see the power of going beyond the testimony in John 1:36-39. John the Baptist was sharing and telling about who Jesus was and what He would do… AKA: Testimony. But Jesus went beyond the testimony when He invited others to “Come and See.”
John the Baptist: Do you see Him? This man is the Lamb of God, God’s sacrifice to cleanse our sins.
At that moment, the two disciples began to follow Jesus, who turned back to them, saying:
Jesus: What is it that you want?
Two Disciples: We’d like to know where You are staying. Teacher, may we remain at Your side today?
Jesus: Come and see. Follow Me, and we will camp together.
It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they met Jesus. They came and saw where He was staying, but they got more than they imagined. They remained with Him the rest of the day and followed Him for the rest of their lives. (John 1: 36-39 The Voice).
When we only tell stories about what God has done and we do not invite or give the opportunity for future generations or others to experience and encounter God for themselves we are missing the mark about sharing the wholeness of the good news of the Gospel. Going beyond the testimony is an invitation to encounter Jesus and experience all He has to offer.
The fullness of the gospel message is not only sharing the good news of who Jesus is and what He did, BUT it is an invitation to “Come and See” and encounter Him personally.
Episode #118 ~ Beyond the Testimony
If we are to reach the unchurched or even future generations we must be willing to go beyond the testimony of what God has done for us. Yes, testimonies are important, but there is something missing.
What is the “Key” to building a legacy in families of those who serve the Lord?
What is the “Key for reaching the unchurched?
Why does one generation serve the Lord and the next one turn away?
When we only tell stories about what God has done and we do not invite or give the opportunity for future generations or others to experience and encounter God for themselves we are missing the mark about sharing the wholeness of the good news of the Gospel. Going beyond the testimony is an invitation to encounter Jesus and experience all He has to offer.
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Check out the newest #Podcast from @Dare2Hear Episode 118: Beyond the Testimony Share on X
Meet Your Podcast Hosts:
Debbie Kitterman ~Podcast Host
Debbie is an author, speaker, pastor and the founder of “Dare 2 Hear,” a ministry training individuals in hearing the voice of God. Debbie is a natural encourager who is passionate about equipping individuals so they can go deeper in their relationship with God, reach their God potential and claim their Kingdom inheritance.
Debbie’s writing and teachings inspire faith and build bridges for people to believe and expect the impossible. Debbie has been equipping people to hear the voice of God in their own life and how to release the prophetic into the lives of others for over 20 years. She travels and speaks internationally.
Brandi Kitterman ~Podcast Co-host
Brandi has grown up in an environment and culture of the prophetic where it is a normal part of everyday life. She brings a perspective the younger generation can relate to on how to implement the prophetic in everyday life.
Brandi is the digital media director for Restoration Church, a free lance graphic designer and a visual worship leader. She not only leads worship at her church, but she uses graphic design and video to serve her customers in getting their message out to the masses. Brandi’s creativity helps engage individuals and draws them into a deeper relationship with God. She is the owner of Create Media and enjoys creating messages through media for churches and other clients.
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Debbie Kitterman is a natural born encourager who is on fire for God. She is passionate about equipping individuals, so they can go deeper in the relationship with God, reach their God-potential and claim their Kingdom inheritance. Debbie is a wife, mother, author, pastor, speaker and the founder of “Dare 2 Hear,” a ministry that trains individuals to hear the voice of God. She travels to churches internationally and is the founder and teacher of d2htraining.com, an online course designed to equip the believer in releasing God’s heart. Her writing and teachings inspire faith and build bridges for people to believe and expect the impossible. She is also an ordained Foursquare pastor, currently serving with her husband, John, as senior pastor of Restoration Church in Lacey, Washington. Learn more at: www.debbiekitterman.com
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We live in a time, where those around us are in desperate need of a real encounter with Jesus and in need of encouragement. We are called to encourage one another daily (Hebrews 3:13), and to build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). My book will teach you how to step out and do just that.
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Words have power.
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I’ve always focused on the telling of testimonies; but I can see what you are saying about “Come and See.”
I am going now to listen to your podcast and examine this further.
Such a great point!
Testimonies indeed open the door but an invitation then to Come n See must follow. Thx so much for this reminder!
I love this! God wired us to learn from our own experiences. Science has shown that learning from experience, whether it is physics or riding a bike, is what changes our thinking and our bodies to learn the movement. “Come and see…” Jesus instructed us. This reminds me how I can ‘think’ too much and miss the opportunities to follow and see, and experience all that He wants of me.
I appreciate you sharing this key with us, Debbie, “Going beyond the testimony is an invitation to encounter Jesus and experience all He has to offer.”