Discussion Guide | September 6th, 2026

September 8th, 2026

Can I Get a Witness? | Dr. Bill Shuler Discussion Guide

Summary

This sermon, titled "Can I Get a Witness?", calls believers to move beyond a surface-level faith and into an active, Spirit-led life of witnessing for Jesus Christ. Drawing from the story of Andrew in John 1, the pastor illustrates how ordinary people in ordinary moments can become instruments of God to bring others into a life-changing encounter with Jesus. Pastor Bill's message emphasizes that God places us in defining moments, and our sensitivity to His Spirit determines whether we seize them. The sermon also outlines the heart of a soul winner, pointing to Paul and Moses as examples of people who cared so deeply for others that they were willing to sacrifice themselves for their salvation. Practical tools are offered, including key scriptures to memorize, how to break through "sound barriers" in spiritual conversations, and how to write a three-minute personal testimony. The call to action is clear: be like Andrew, prioritize sharing Jesus with family, friends, and strangers, and trust that God will use even the most overlooked and imperfect people for His eternal purposes.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You today with open hearts and willing spirits. As we gather together, we ask that You would quiet the noise of our daily lives and help us to truly hear what You want to speak to each of us. Just as You placed Andrew in the right moment to bring others to Jesus, place Your hand on this group and make us sensitive to Your Spirit. Open our eyes to the defining moments You have already placed around us, and give us the courage and love to respond. May this time together not simply be a discussion, but a genuine encounter with You. In Jesus name, amen.

Ice Breaker

Think of a time when someone said or did something small that ended up making a big difference in your life. What was it, and why did it stick with you?

Main Study

Key Verses

John 1:35-42
John 3:16
Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23
Romans 5:8
Romans 10:13
Acts 4:12
John 14:6
Exodus 32:32
Romans 9:3

Questions

Pastor Bill described two different dimensions of prayer: one that is routine and personal, and one that is deeply Spirit-led and outward-focused. Which dimension do you find yourself living in most often, and what would it look like to move deeper?
Andrew's first response after meeting Jesus was to find His brother and bring Him to Jesus. Who in your life, especially a family member, have you been meaning to share your faith with but have not yet done so? What has held you back?
The sermon used the story of Billy Graham's vision about Marilyn Monroe to illustrate missed opportunities. Have you ever felt a nudge from God to reach out to someone but did not act on it? What happened, and what did you learn from that experience?
Pastor Bill described three "sound barriers" in witnessing: mentioning Jesus, sharing the gospel or your testimony, and asking someone to receive Christ. Which of these barriers feels most difficult for you to cross, and why?
Billy Graham identified five universal needs that only Jesus can meet: unfulfilled social and material pursuits, an empty heart, deep loneliness, guilt and shame, and fear of death. Which of these do you see most clearly in the people around you, and how might that shape how you share your faith?
Moses and Paul both expressed a willingness to sacrifice their own standing with God for the sake of others knowing Him. What does that level of passion for souls look like in a practical, everyday sense for someone in your life right now?
Pastor Bill encouraged everyone to write a three-minute personal testimony covering life before Christ, how and why they received Jesus, and how He has changed their life. Have you ever written or shared your testimony in this way? What would you include?
The sermon emphasized that God uses overlooked and imperfect people, just as Andrew noticed the boy with five loaves and two fish when others did not. How does it encourage or challenge you to know that God is not looking for the most obvious or polished person, but for a heart that is fully His?

Life Application

This week, take time to write out your three-minute personal testimony. Cover three things: what your life was like before your decision for Christ, how and why you received Jesus as your Savior, and how He has changed your life since then. Once you have written it, pray and ask God to show you one specific person in your life to share it with this week. It does not have to be a formal conversation. It can be over coffee, on a phone call, or even in a text. Take one step beyond the first sound barrier and simply mention Jesus in a natural, loving way. Trust that God has already prepared the heart of the person He is sending you to.

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Closing

Key Takeaways

God places us in defining moments to be His witnesses, and our sensitivity to the Holy Spirit determines whether we recognize and act on those moments.
Being a witness starts close to home. Like Andrew, our first priority should be bringing those in our inner circle, especially family, to Jesus.
Salvation is not a vague generality. It has a specific moment of decision, and we are called to invite others into that moment with boldness, love, and gentleness.
Every person outside of Christ carries universal needs, including emptiness, loneliness, guilt, and fear of death, and only Jesus can truly meet those needs.
Practical preparation matters. Writing a personal testimony, memorizing key scriptures, and keeping a prayer journal equip us to be ready witnesses at any moment.

Ending Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for this time together and for the truth of Your Word that has stirred our hearts. We confess that it is easy to live on the surface of life and miss the moments You have prepared for us. Forgive us for the times we have stayed silent when You were prompting us to speak. We ask that You would make us more like Andrew, people who are always looking for the one to bring to You, whether it is a brother, a stranger, or someone others have overlooked. Give us boldness that is wrapped in love, and humility that walks in Your authority. Seal in each of us what You have spoken today, and send us out from this place as witnesses who are ready, willing, and expectant. May our lives point others to You, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. In Your name we pray, amen.

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