Who Do You Say I Am

John 1:1-3; 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

In my career, as a sales trainer, asking questions is one of my greatest tools. But this is not a new idea. In the Bible, leading questions are asked by both Satan for the purposes of evil: "Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” and Jesus. And He continued by questioning them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”

In witnessing; questions are the key that help you to learn what the person thinks. And their answers will help you to know where to focus your efforts. Also using: “The Question”; "WHAT DO YOU THINK GOD IS SAYING TO YOU?” is a most valuable tool in transitioning the conversation so that the person ends up first person personal with the Holy Spirit. Many Christians spend their whole lives never listening to the leading of the Holy Spirit. This also helps a seeker to discover that the Bible is not hard to understand, which is a common misconception. Downplaying your insights should be a primary goal. I will role play so that you can see how a typical conversation will often go.

BW: “Monique, read this verse and explain to me what you think God is saying to you;
MM: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
MM: “I don’t know what it means”
BW: “Okay let me help you. What does God mean when he says; "in the beginning?"
MM: “At the beginning of creation?”
BW: "Good, How about; “was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
MM: “In the beginning was the Bible?”
BW: “that’s a good start”
MM: “and the Bible was with God and the Bible was God?”
BW “good job, see how much more powerful it is when you are understanding what God is saying to you, rather than me just explaining it to you?
MM: “Yes I do, but I’m still not so sure I understand”
BW: “Well. That’s why I’m here to help. In this verse, God wants you to understand that He comes to us in a number of ways. It is clear that he wanted to get first things first with you. God’s word is the truth and he wants you to know the truth was the same truth you are reading now, was there in the beginning of time, it is never changing and inerrant and to understand that this same truth is in actuality God who is in reality the absolute truth.
MM: “How did you get all of that out of this one verse?”
BW: “I have studied God’s Word and when I listen to the leading from the Holy Spirit, the verses come to mind. “Jesus said; I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.” This is one of the most exciting promises of the Bible. when we become a Christian, God sends the Holy Spirit into our heart and mind to help and guide us to know His truth and righteous ways.

Now read the next verse.
MM: “He was in the beginning with God.” “Is God saying: Jesus was with Him at the beginning of the creation of the world?”
BW: "Excellent, if it is not clear to you, that just means that the Holy Spirit wants you to search out the answer to your questions in His Word, so that you can know the Truth."
MM: “No, that was fairly clear. I just wanted to see if you agreed.”
BW: “Gladly, but always remember that it is the scripture, and the leading of the Holy Spirit, combined with inspired Godly teachings that allows us to understand the truth.”

MM: “Let’s try the next one. ‘All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
MM: “Jesus created all things, there is nothing Jesus has not created, and the truth came to earth in the form of a man, Jesus and He walked with the disciples in Israel. I’m not sure I understand what His Glory or grace means.”
BW: That’s fine. When you are reading scripture, it is wise to write down those things you don’t understand as points that you need to study and pray about.”
As far as you did get was excellent, and obviously God is making things clear to you. The question I have for you is: “Do you believe what you have learned so far is true?”
MM: I want to believe it. But with my atheist upbringing and everything I have been taught at home and in school … most of what I have learned is the opposite. My mother says there is no god. I am not sure what I believe.
BW: Don’t worry. I know your mother told you there were no miracles also. But do you know what the biggest miracle I have ever seen is?
MM: “What?”
BW: God’s Word changes people’s hearts and minds. I have seen it over and over. First He changes the desires of their hearts, and then over a period of time, day by day, principle by principle, their lives are transformed. Would you like to have a transformed life?
MM: “I would, do you think that’s possible?”
BW: “Yes; I am confident … it is a promise from God” All you need to do is listen to Him verse by verse and “follow Jesus, His Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit, who will talk to you in your spirit, and through the Word. Remember what Jesus said; “He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of Truth” Jesus is Truth. He never lies. All of His promises to us can always be trusted.”

Okay friends, can you see how this works … when we become a helper rather than the Christian answer man … the power is in the Word, and the key is that they discover the truth, and that it becomes personal between them and God, rather than you and them. Be careful not to get in the way. Can you also see why it is so important to get the person on the phone, rather than messages on the internet? The net is great for making contacts, but much is gained in an actual conversation. The more you follow this plan, the less likely you are to not know what to say. The Word always has the answers. Your role is to anticipate what is on their heart, and look to God’s Word for verses that gives answers to the issues in front of you. If you are asked a question where you do not have the answer or a verse does not come to mind; just say, "let's write that down and pray about it, I'm sure God will provide the answer."

Why do you think I focused on John 1:1-3-14 in this first meeting? Obviously, Monique was raised in an atheist home. In the talk, I would also have probed what she believed and did not believe in depth. I would ask about her parents, and what caused their divorce, and how their beliefs may have contributed to their separation. My questions, would have these underlying purposes: to understand the answers to the questions: Where is she? and Where does she want to be? and What scriptures will provide the solutions to her dilemma? Once I am led to a verse, I simply ask her to read the verse and ask "WHAT DO YOU THINK GOD IS SAYING TO YOU?” and then, “Are you ready to do what God wants you to do?”

Next we will look at some basics with Monique, which was what she was originally was asking for. We will guide her through them one by one and watch as the Holy Spirit moves on her heart. I titled this post "Who Do You Say I Am" because I wanted you to note that there were probably a hundred questions in this post I did not ask Monique. I would have surely asked her this question. I have tried here to not make this a very long example. In an actual discussion, it is critical that you do not go in directions that lead away from the purpose of the discussion. But always keeping in mind that the primary purpose is to help this person enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ, answering their questions is a key to reaching this life changing result.

John 3:16-18 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God”
God Bless you my friends, Bob