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Introduction

What it Means to Witness

When we think of the word “witness,” we often envision someone at a legal trial, at the witness stand, giving a testimony about what they heard and saw with regard to a crime. Essentially, this is what a Catholic man is called to do for his faith. There was a great crime against humanity: the coming of sin into the world and the suffering it brought to the earth and its people. But there was also a loving God who looked down upon this suffering and provided a remedy for our situation in Jesus Christ. The only Son of God willingly left his home in heaven to walk the road to Calvary and take our sins to the cross.

Jesus has touched our lives. We have experienced his love, and we know that it transforms us daily into godly men. We have seen the impact Christ has had on our families, our work, and our relationships. If we are honest with ourselves, we should be overwhelmed with all that he has accomplished for us. How could we not give witness to the great things Jesus has done? How could we not share the story of salvation with everyone we meet? What could keep us from living a totally sold-out life that offers God the glory and thanksgiving he deserves? This is what witness is all about.

During the next ten weeks, we will be looking at what it means to be a witness for the gospel of Christ. We will see that it involves more than saying words or doing holy tasks. Being a witness involves every aspect of our lives and results in deepened relationships and transformed lives.

This book is both a personal daily devotional and a tool for group study with other men. Each day, you are encouraged to read through the day’s devotion, pray and meditate on the message from God’s Word, and reflect on the questions provided, always remembering the theme for the week and seeking to apply it to your life. It is suggested that you take fifteen to thirty minutes in the morning to complete each devotion, and then let your prayerful experience with the Lord guide you throughout your day.

On Saturday you are encouraged to look back on your week of study, reflecting on the progress you’ve made, thanking God for the work he has done in your life, throwing any mistakes into the ocean of God’s mercy, and committing to personal goals in areas where you’d like to see improvement in the coming week.

For those who want to take things a step further, you are encouraged to keep a journal where you write your reflections, track your progress in Christian living, and dialogue with the God who is leading you on this journey of manhood. You can then use your journal to help you share your insights and discoveries with other men.

The key to growing with this study involves two things: taking time to read and learn each day, and then living out the message through practical acts of love. This means taking the reflection questions and turning them into action steps that you can do as you love your family, serve your church and community, and lift up your brothers in the faith.

Once a week you are encouraged to come together with other Catholic men to share your thoughts on the devotions, the insights you have gained in prayer, and the ways you have put these principles into practice in everyday life. The leader of your study group will facilitate a discussion, focusing on those passages, reflections, and actions that have meant the most to the men in the group. After a general sharing of thoughts about the daily devotions, the leader can focus on the Saturday “Go Deeper” questions. As each man shares ideas, the leader will encourage the other men to build on the ideas raised and add their own unique voice to the discussion.

As you make this journey, determine to spend more time in prayer, study, and worship to grow in your faith. Look for opportunities to interact with your brothers as you build one another up, carry one another’s burdens, and hold one another accountable before God. Love your families and your communities with the same uncompromising love that Christ has poured out onto you. Look for ways to make this world a better place by being a man who represents Christ and his Church well. And look forward to all the blessings that are to come in God’s good time!