Why We Trust the Eyewitnesses
Month 12: On Mission & Finishing Well · Why We Believe
Today's Scripture
Read together: Luke 1:1-4 & 1 John 1:1-3
1 Many have undertaken to compose an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. — Luke 1:1-4
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have gazed upon and touched with our own hands—this is the Word of life. 2 And this is the life that was revealed; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. — 1 John 1:1-3
Memory Verse
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.””— Matthew 28:19-20 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: 2 Corinthians 10–13
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Around Day 333 of 365 — Paul's "weakness made strong," and "examine yourselves" as you finish the letter.)The Heart of It
Before we go and tell others about Jesus, it's fair to ask a question. How do we know the story is true, and not just a tale that grew over time? Listen to how the New Testament writers describe their work. Luke says he "carefully investigated everything from the beginning." He wrote "an orderly account" so Theophilus would know "the certainty of the things" he'd been taught (). That's the language of careful investigation, not the language of making up myths. And John writes almost as if he's still amazed. "Which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have gazed upon and touched with our own hands" (). He's saying, I touched Him. I'm not passing on a rumor. I am a witness.
This is huge for the mission Jesus gave us. We are sent to "make disciples of all the nations." And the message we carry rests on people who actually saw and heard and touched the risen Lord. They wrote it down while plenty of other eyewitnesses were still alive, both friendly ones and hostile ones, who could correct any mistakes. Legends need time and distance to grow. But the Gospel was preached in the very city where Jesus was crucified, just weeks after it happened, to people who could have checked the facts. We don't follow Jesus by closing our eyes and hoping. We follow Him because trustworthy people staked their lives on what they saw with their own eyes.
Around the Table
John said, "I saw Jesus with my own eyes! I touched Him with my own hands!" He wasn't guessing. He was there.
Let's do it: Point to your eyes, then to your hands, and say, "John saw Jesus! It's true!"
A rumor is something you only heard about. A witness is someone who was actually there. The Bible writers were witnesses.
Let's talk: If your friend said, "I saw a deer in the yard," would you trust him more if he were standing right there, or if he had just heard it from someone else?
Luke carefully investigated and wrote an orderly account. John testified that he had seen and touched Jesus. The Gospel claims to be history you can check, written while hostile witnesses could still object.
Let's go deeper: Why does it matter that the resurrection was preached in Jerusalem, the very place it happened, and not safely far away?
💬 Conversation Starter
Have you ever been sure of something because you saw it yourself, even when someone didn't believe you?
🛡️ Defending the Faith
When someone says, "The Bible is just legends that got exaggerated over hundreds of years" — you can kindly answer that the opposite is true. The Gospels were written within the lifetime of the eyewitnesses. Luke "investigated." In 1 John we read, "we have seen… handled." They were preached first in the very city of the crucifixion, where enemies could have disproved them. And the witnesses chose death over taking it back. Legends grow in the dark, over centuries. This was claimed in broad daylight, within decades. Then do what Peter said. Give your reason "with gentleness and respect" (). You might ask gently, "What would it take for you to look at the evidence with me?"
For Dad · Go Deeper
Your kids will one day hear a confident teacher, or a video, say the Gospels are just folklore. The best gift you can give them now is the idea of eyewitness testimony. Christianity is a faith rooted in claims about real events that real people checked. It isn't built on private feelings. Notice Luke's tone. He sounds like a historian, naming his sources and aiming at "certainty." Christianity has never asked anyone to leave their brain at the door. As you teach this, model the posture too. You don't have to know every answer to be confident. Confidence comes from the strength of the case and the character of the Witnesses, not from your ability to win a debate. Hold the truth firmly, and hold the person gently.
Draws on: McDowell & Wallace — Josh McDowell, Evidence That Demands a Verdict; J. Warner Wallace, Cold-Case Christianity.
Let's Pray Together
"Father, thank You that our faith is built on true things. It is built on people who really saw and heard and touched Jesus. Make us sure of the truth. Make us gentle and ready when others ask. In Jesus' name, amen."
We don't follow a rumor. We follow a risen Lord that real witnesses saw, touched, and died for.