Be a Witness: Testimony

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - The power of our testimony rests not on human cleverness, but on the transforming power of God.

TEXT - 2 Corinthians 2:1-5, Matthew 9:35-38

1. Know Jesus.

 • 1 Corinthians 15:3

 • Philippians 3:7-8

 • Galatians 6:14

2. Embrace Weakness.

 • John 9:25

 • Mark 5:18-20

 • Acts 1:8

3. Rest in God’s power.

 • Zechariah 4:6

 • Matthew 9:35-38

NEXT STEPS

1. Declutter your testimony.

2. Ditch the pressure.

3. Shift the burden.

Be a Witness: Good News

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - God calls us to give a testimony. 

TEXT - 1 Peter 2:9-16

1. Testimony #1 - Good deeds.

• “Preach the gospel at all times, if necessary, use words.” Unknown

• 1 Peter 2:12,15

2. Testimony #2 - Good news.

• Luke 2:10-11

• Romans 1:16

• Mark 16:15

• 2 Corinthians 15:1-4

3. Testimony #3 - Good Jesus.

• 1 Peter 3:15

• Ephesians 6:15

• 2 Corinthians 5:17-18

NEXT STEPS

1. Describe what Jesus has done.

2. Describe what Jesus is doing.

3. This is your testimony. Share it.

Be a Witness: Hospitality

Pastor Steve Poole

SCRIPTURE: Luke 19:1-10

1. Hospitality was modeled by Jesus.

• Luke 19:1-10

• Luke 7:37

2. Hospitality isn’t hosting, it's loving others well.

• φιλοξενία - Philo - to love + Xenos - strangers (others)

• Romans 12:13

• 1 Peter 4:8-10

• Hebrews 13:1-2

3. Hospitality creates opportunities to share the gospel.

NEXT STEPS

1. Pray who God wants you to invite to share a meal with and practice hospitality. (unbelieving neighbor or coworker)

2. Invite them over and be hospitable

3. Make a plan to practice hospitality regularly.

JOURNAL PROMPT

What keeps me from practicing hospitality with my neighbors and coworkers?

Witness: Love - August 9, 2026

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - People not projects.   

TEXT - Acts 1:8

Love every person. 

2 Corinthians 5:14. The Love of Christ compels me. 

Witness is an act of love.

Love every person at every threshold.  (Mark 4:26-29)

Trust.

Curiosity.

Openness.

Seeking.

Follower.

Love every person, at every stage, over the long term. 

Acts 1:8

Acts 28:24

 NEXT STEPS

Journal and pray. Who is my low hanging fruit?

Love someone who does not yet follow Jesus. 

Go deeper: https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/player/video/900376?session=949542&position=0&drawer=study-guide

Can I get a Witness? - August 2, 2026

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses.”  

TEXT - Acts 1:1-8

Be a clear witness. 

Luke 1:1-4

Acts 1:1-3

1 John 1:1-3

Acts 4:20

Be a credible witness.  

Acts 1:8

Matthew 5:13-16

Be a comfortable witness. 

1 Peter 3:15

Isaiah 43:10

 NEXT STEPS

Journal and pray. What would help me be a more comfortable witness?

Send your journal thoughts to [email protected].

Invest in growing in your practice of witness for the next 5 weeks. 

JOURNAL PROMPT

What would help me be more comfortable as a witness for Jesus?

REFLECTION 

The woman in John 4 went to the local well to get water. When she arrived, she met Jesus. After her encounter with Jesus she becomes a witness. This is what happened: Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him. (John 4:28-30)

A simple testimony can have a profound effect. When is the last time you shared what Jesus has done?

PRAYER

LORD, Thank you for saving me and calling me to belong to you. Please forgive me for the times I’ve failed to tell others about you. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and give me boldness. Open my eyes to see the people around me, give me the words to say, and help me to speak with kindness and love. Let my life, my actions, and my words point others to Jesus. Use me to bring your light to a dark world. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Better Together                 July 26, 2026

Pastor Kent Landhuis,

THEME - We love one another in practical everyday ways.  

TEXT - John 15:12-13

1. Community is not an idea but a way of life.

a. 1 Corinthians 12:21-31

b. Acts 2:5, 7-9

c. Revelation 7:9-10

2. This way of life creates a better world for everyone. 

a. John 15:5, 12-13

b. “Individualism leads to the degradation and destruction of people.” (The Social Fabric Project)

3. This better world comes by loving in practical ways. 

a. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

NEXT STEPS:

Expand your flock.

JOURNAL PROMPT

Who in our community (Which body part?) are you most likely to exclude from your flock? How can you love them in a practical way? 

Christian Community and Conflict             Date: July 12th, 2026

Pastor Steve Poole

Key Scripture: Galatians 2:11-16

Where there is community, there will be conflict

Christian conflict #1: Go directly to the person you have the conflict

Gal. 2:11 & Matt. 18:15

Christian Conflict #2: Be humble, respectful and loving

Christian Conflict #3: Discern the level of offense and level of relationship

NEXT STEPS

Next Steps:

Join the community of Christ through faith in Jesus

Practice the 3 principles of Christian conflict this week

If you need help with conflict, invite in a friend, pastor or counselor.

Loving as God’s Citizens                 July 5, 2026

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - We make the world a better place for everyone by loving our neighbors. 

TEXT - Luke 10:25-37

Is there a better way?

What if we used fewer words?

What if we showed more mercy?

NEXT STEPS

Fast from the news.

Plunge into the Gospel.

Love someone.

What are you running from?                 June 28, 2026

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - We need one another to find freedom from shame. 

TEXT - Mark 5:24-34

Ashamed and on the run.

Facing shame to find healing. 

NEXT STEPS

Start small and slow.

Don’t quit.

Together is Better                   June 21, 2026

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - We seek out Spirit-led connections of deeper belonging. 

TEXT - Acts 2:37-47

1. Embrace deeper belonging.

• Resist isolation, alienation, and division.

• Find a family.

2. Pursue deeper connection.

• See and be seen.

• Know and be known.

• Love and be loved.

3. Risk deeper relationships. 

• A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35

• To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken.  CS Lewis

NEXT STEPS

Journal: What keeps me from going deeper in community?

Pray: God, where do you want me to go deeper?