Sharing Your Faith pt.1 - June 2, 2011

Point of View:
Today I want to share with you the most precious and treasured gift I have ever received; the free gift of eternal life. I want to dig into the Gospel and how we can go about sharing our faith with others in a way that is not crazy or scary. My goal over the next couple weeks is that this mini-study can become a guideline on how to lead someone to Christ rather than me just telling you what the Gospel is. I guess you will be the judge. Ha-ha

So, this week I want to talk about the thing that normally makes sharing your faith awkward. What is it? Not knowing how! I think that this “awkwardness” comes from not knowing how to get into a spiritual conversation, right? How do we do it, when do we do it, where do we do it… these are all good questions. So, let’s get started this week with how to get into a “spiritual conversation”. Well, like I said, its tough to start talking to your friends/family/anybody without making it feel awkward. I think this plays a big part in why so few of us do so, so let me share some of my favorite ways to lead into having a conversation about the Gospel or God. My favorite way is probably the most simple and direct and you just simply say this “Yo, What do you think happens when we die?” You simply let them tell you their thoughts and then ask them if you can show them what the Bible says about the afterlife, or if they don’t want you to open a Bible, (That happens) Memorize some verses. (Ill go through some good verses soon. For now, check The Word) If that approach isn’t for you, try asking, “Do you or your family go to church? (Or mass, ect.) ” If they say yes, ask them what they believe, if they say no, still ask them what they believe! When they finish telling you what they believe, ask them if you can share your beliefs. Whatever way you choose, listening to what they say is important and will make it more of a conversation than you “preaching at them.” Hope this can help you out.

The Challenge:
Be in prayer as we go through this mini-study on sharing your faith. I know it can be scary or awkward, but trust me, if we really love our friends and family we should share this good news with them as well.

Prayer Points:
• Thank God for sending His only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins.
• Ask for wisdom as we start talking to our friends about God. We might not have the words to say, but He does.
• Pray that you would be a vessel that God can work through as we start sharing our faith.

The Word:
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God - Romans 3:23

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
- Romans 5:8