Scenarios Archive - Truth in Love Ministry

Witnessing Scenarios

Practical examples, Bible passages and illustrations to help you witness.

Jonah and Micah

Both the Books of Jonah and Micah display a merciful God who delights in showing compassion and mercy to the least of the deserving.

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Amos and Obadiah

Explore the themes of judgment and rebuke, and discover the sovereignty of God as he remains involved with his people throughout history.

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Hosea and Joel

Explore the themes of the deep infidelity of human sin and the relentless restoration offered to us by Jesus.

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Daniel 1–6

The book of Daniel takes place during the Babylonian captivity. Four young Jewish men, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Daniel, demonstrated faithfulness to God because they trusted in his promise to be faithful and looked forward to the greater kingdom to come.

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Jeremiah & Lamentations

Jeremiah prophesied during the darkest hours of Judah. Idolatry and heathen abominations flourished among a people that had been God’s peculiar treasure. Even when the people performed sacrifices and ceremonies in the Temple, it was all a dead formalism.

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Isaiah

Jesus came to live perfectly under the law and to free us from sin. He rose from the dead and reigns for all eternity as our perfect and everlasting King. Everything will be right again. This message is the heart of Isaiah’s gospel proclamation: good news.

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Proverbs 1–4; 15–16; 22; 31; Ecclesiastes 1–3; 11–12

These books emphasize how to live as God’s people and offer godly wisdom concerning some of life’s most complex problems.

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Psalms 102–103; 110; 116–119; 127–128; 135–139; 146–150

Many psalms under consideration in this section urge the reader to “praise the Lord.” This week’s overarching application will help our Mormon friends and family think about why God is so worthy of praise.

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Psalms 49–51; 61–66; 69–72; 77–78; 85–86

The focus of trust is always on the object, rather than the subject. So what, ultimately, is trusting the Lord all about?

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Psalms 1–2; 8; 19–33; 40; 46

The focus of trust is always on the object, rather than the subject. So what, ultimately, is trusting the Lord all about?

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Job

If God is loving, why does he allow his people to suffer?

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Esther

Where is God when he seems absent?

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Ezra & Nehemiah

The time of Ezra and Nehemiah is exciting as God’s children start to see his promises come true.

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2 Kings 17–25: A Remnant Preserved

Although the tribe of Judah was saturated with unfaithfulness and idolatry, God would preserve a remnant.

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2 Kings 2–7: Passing the Mantle

The life of Elisha leaves us longing for a greater prophet that will put an end to rebellion, mercifully transform hearts, and bring a lasting reconciliation between God and humanity.

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1 Kings 17–19: Elijah’s Ministry

During Elijah’s ministry, God would teach his people and his prophet to trust in him. First, through demonstrations of his power and might with fire and rain sent down on Mount Carmel, but then with the gentle whisper of his Word, God restored his people to himself.

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2 Samuel 5-7; 11-12; 1 Kings 3; 8; 11

2 Samuel and 1 Kings continue Israel’s journey of transition from a theocracy to a monarchy.

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1 Samuel 8–10; 13; 15–18: Longing for a Better, Perfect King

Up to this point in her history, Israel has had only one king—God Himself. Leaders such as Moses, Joshua, Samuel, and all the judges were leaders, not kings. After generations of failing to follow God’s commands, Israel now saw fit to replace their theocracy with a monarchy.

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Ruth; 1 Samuel 1–3: Identity Changes

During the dark days of the Judges, defined by cycles of faithlessness, idolatry, and oppression, the faiths of Ruth, Boaz, Hannah, and Samuel shine bright. Their stories also point forward to the coming Redeemer.

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Judges 2–4; 6–8; 13–16: Man’s Weakness & God’s Strength

The book of Judges contains a series of cycles. First, Israel rebels, then the Lord sends repression. Israel repents, and the Lord rescues. After a season of rest, the Israelites rebel once again, and the cycle repeats.

Read More about Judges 2–4; 6–8; 13–16: Man’s Weakness & God’s Strength

Joshua 1–8; 23–24: Be Strong & Courageous

Through conquest, condemnation, rescue, redemption, and restoration, God draws his people closer to his heart of grace and demonstrates himself to be the only thing in the universe that can truly save them and grant them the blessings of an ultimate promised land.

Read More about Joshua 1–8; 23–24: Be Strong & Courageous

Deuteronomy 6–8, 15, 18, 29-30, 34: Return to the Lord

Moses is preparing the Israelites for their transition from being children of the wilderness to children of the promised land. Repeated throughout the book of Deuteronomy are words like “listen, remember, guard, keep, do, and obey.”

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Numbers 11-14, 20-24: Forgiveness Over and Over Again

God had delivered them from slavery, brought them through the waters of the Red Sea, miraculously fed them and gave them water, set up a system of worship and law, disciplined them, and forgave their rebellion and doubt many times over.

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Exodus 35-40, Leviticus 1, 16, 19: Holiness

Throughout this study, we will see that humanity cannot become holy through its work and movement toward God; instead, it is God who works and moves toward humans.

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Exodus 24, 31-34: God is Holy & Perfect

Exodus shows us that God is by nature apart and other than we are when it comes to holiness and perfection. In these closing chapters, the Israelites learned much about the God who had chosen to dwell among them and what life without his presence is like.

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Exodus 18-20: The Giving of the Law

God’s law, summarized in the Ten Commandments, reflects God’s perfect expectations for us. Every single law we break proves our unworthiness and earns us eternal punishment. The absolute nature of the law means that even one sin is enough to damn us.

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Easter

Jesus Christ lived a sinless life and perfectly fulfilled the entire law on our behalf. He did what we could not do. His victory is a gift. Those who are in Christ need no longer fear physical or spiritual death.

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Exodus 14-17: The Only Hope

Throughout the time of the Exodus, the LORD sets up salvation situations in which the Israelites could not save themselves. Their only hope was to trust that they had a God that would rescue and provide.

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Exodus 7-13: The Lord Fights For You

As the annual Passover celebration reminded God’s people Israel of their salvation from slavery in Egypt, the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper reminds us of our spiritual salvation from slavery to sin, death, and the devil.

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Exodus 1-6: I Have Remembered My Covenant

As Exodus opens, the dismal fate of the children of Israel in Egypt is revealed. Why had God allowed his children to suffer in such a way for so long?

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Testimony: A Mormon’s and Yours

Lists the common aspects of a Mormon testimony and gives suggestions for your own testimony.

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The Sledgehammer of a Free Gift

Explains how some Mormons will react negatively to the message of free salvation because it tells them their entire lives have been worthless.

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Emphasize Sin’s Eternal Consequences

Emphasizes the need for urgency and talks about the importance of doing this with the right tone.

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James 2:10

A great passage to show how even one unintentional sin makes us totally guilty. Gives a step by step method for explaining this verse.

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Emphasize What Sin Does to People

Uses three passages to show sin’s effect. Romans 3:10-12: sin makes us “unprofitable”; John 8:34: sin enslaves us; Ephesian 2:5 sin makes us spiritually dead.

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Two Sobering Words for Sin

Evil according to Genesis 8:21 and rebellion according to Daniel 9:9-10.

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Punching God in the Face

Illustrates the fact that who you sin against determines the seriousness of sin. There are different consequences for hitting a friend in the face and hitting the president in the face.

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Ignorance is Not Bliss

Addresses the LDS definition of sin as a conscious act. It uses Leviticus 5:16-17 and Jesus’ prayer on the cross to disprove this.

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God’s Death Sentence for a “Good” Act

Looks at 1 Chronicles 13: 9-10 which records how Uzza was struck dead for touching the Ark of the Covenant.

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Moses’ Sin Shows Sin’s Seriousness

Moses could not enter the Promise Land because he struck the rock rather than speaking to it (Numbers 20:1-12).

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How Healthy Are You?

Uses questions, based on passages from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), to have them examine themselves.

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Examining the Miracle of Forgiveness

Uses quotes from an LDS classic, The Miracle of Forgiveness, to show them they aren’t living up to the standards of Mormonism.

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X-Ray Vision

An illustration about how we need to depend on God’s Word to identify sin.

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The Wedding Garment and Outer Darkness

Jesus’ parable in Matthew 22:1-13 clearly illustrates that the one reason people go to outer darkness is the refusal of a free gift.

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What is Repentance?

An article from Beyeperfect.org focusing on the biblical definition of repentance.

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3 Nephi 11 and Repentance

Examines the LDS teaching on repentance. Includes an article on repentance from the LDS official website. Helpful not just in connection with 3 Nephi 11 but anytime repentance is being discussed.

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Beware of Talking About Salvation

Explains the LDS definition of salvation and encourages speaking instead of “living eternally with Heavenly Father.”

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Talk About Jesus’ Keeping of the Commandments for Us

Suggests counteracting Mormonism’s “do” with the “done” not only of Jesus’ death but also of his perfect life for us.

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The Hearts Test

We like this for a few reasons. 1) Mormonism says our purpose for being on earth is to be tested; 2) it emphasizes that Jesus kept the law for us; and 3) it deals with a topic most Mormons are totally unaware of.

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Talk About Perfection

Addresses Mormonism’s emphasis on perfection and how to use Matthew 5:48 and Hebrews 10:14 to talk to them about sin and salvation.

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Eternal Life: a Gift or a Reward?

This quotes a couple of LDS sources to show what it teaches about eternal life and then gives the biblical basis for saying eternal life is a gift and a present possession of believers.

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Ephesians 2:8-10

Emphasizes to carefully explain “saved” and “grace” when using this passage.

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Parable of the Pharisee and Publican

A good way to proclaim justification to Mormons because it is an unknown parable to most of them.

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Excited About Judgment Day

Contrasts the uneasiness Mormons experience about Judgment Day with the confidence we can have.

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Forgiveness and the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

Explains how this parable doesn’t teach that God forgiving us rests on our being forgiving but that our being forgiving results from God forgiving us.

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One Way to Use 2 Nephi 31

Sometimes Mormons ask Christians to read this chapter from the Book of Mormon. This shows how you can focus on the topic of eternal life.

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The Runaway Teen

An illustration based on the idea of reconciliation and justification happening before faith.

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Faith and Works: James 2:14-26

Gives a thorough explanation of this chapter which is a favorite of many Mormons.

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Jesus’ Treatment of the Rich Young Man

A story Mormons like to use to say that works are important in addition to faith. This article shows, however, that it is not a both and situation but is either or. It is either by faith or by works.

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An Illustration: Little Orphan Andy

Many Christians have found this story effective in illustrating the difference in being motivated by fear or love.

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Grace-Plus Illustrations

Gives three illustrations based on Romans 11:6 on how our works added to grace ruin grace.

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How to Determine a True Prophet

Explains how to use Deuteronomy 13:1-3 to move the discussion off a prophet’s character and history to his teachings.

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Refuting the LDS Claim of a Corrupted Bible

Warns about making this a topic of discussion and offers a simple illustration to blunt their claim of a corrupted Bible.

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Talking About the Trinity

Discourages you from bringing this topic up. But if it does arise, emphasize not so much God’s nature but how much greater God is than us and the comfort this gives you.

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Mormonism’s Explanation of 2 Nephi 25:23

Uses quotes from LDS leaders to emphasize that this verse does definitely teach that people must work to be saved.

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His Grace Is Sufficient

This is the title of an article that Mormons sometimes give Christians. Not only is a copy of this article provided but also a commentary explaining how it portrays classic Mormonism.

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The Gift of Grace

This is the title of a talk given by a LDS apostle. Not only is a copy of his talk provided but also a commentary explaining how it portrays classic Mormonism.

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Giving Us Piano Lessons or Making Us Pianists?

Spells out a way to counter the popular Mormon illustration that God gave us piano lessons.

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1 Corinthians 15:29

Mormons often refer to this passage when talking about baptizing for the dead. This brief article shows how you can neutralize their use of it.

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1 Peter 4:6

Mormons refer to this when explaining their belief that people can be converted after death. This brief article lays out the correct biblical interpretation.

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Moroni 10:32

Mormons sometimes quote when discussing perfection. It shows how even its context in the Book of Mormon nullifies their point.

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We Are Christians Just Like You

Almost everybody who has spent any time at all talking with Mormons have been told this. Most find it extremely frustrating but are also in a quandary wondering how to respond.

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Address the Fall Using Romans 5:12-21

A LDS doctrine which greatly puzzles Christians is the idea that good resulted from Adam’s Fall.

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How to Talk about the Completeness of the Bible

The goal, even when addressing this topic, is to share the good news of complete forgiveness in Christ.

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