Our pastor is currently preaching a series called No More Lonely Night – Befriending People for God.
Today we looked at being a part of groups outside the church and getting to know people who need Christ. We talked about sporting, hobby and other groups that put us in touch with non-churched people.
The following is part of an article I found which seemed to fit in well with the theme. I added it to our church newsletter today.
Casting the NET
Some people think: “Oh no! I’m not sure I could ever learn to share my story effectively, much less lead someone to Jesus.” While feelings of inadequacy are common, allowing them to keep us silent is not biblical. Of course it is true that we cannot save anyone through our own wisdom or efforts. However, Jesus can and will do it through us.
Sharing Jesus is a natural expression of walking with Him. Our evangelistic lifestyle flows out of our daily and life-changing relationship with Him.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians already possess everything we need to effectively share with someone how they too can personally experience the life-changing power of God-our story.
Your story has authority. A personal story is difficult to refute. The experience has happened to you. You are a specialist on your own story. The antagonistic Pharisees had no defense for the simple, forthright testimony of the blind man who had been healed.
Your story communicates. People enjoy hearing other people’s stories. A concise and well-thought-out description of your own journey to faith can have a powerful effect on your listeners.
Your story relates. The people with whom you are sharing may be experiencing the same feelings, struggles and temptations you have, without the benefit of Jesus in their lives. They will be able to relate to your life experiences, especially the difficulties and challenges of your quest for true meaning and joy in life.
Your story is powerful. It enables the presentation of the gospel to be both unique and personal. Jesus told stories, and we have stories to tell too. The whole Bible is a story of how God has loved and sought the love of His human creation. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus deserves to be retold over and over. And we have our stories to tell about how God has reshaped who we are.
Sharing the truth of Jesus Christ with others doesn’t have to be the difficult task we’ve been fooled into believing it is.
Posted by Rodney Olsen
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“Fear of not having answers.
What if they ask questions I can?t answer? you may wonder. Share anyway. It?s a faulty assumption to believe that any of us is capable of answering all possible questions that might be raised.”
Not having all the answers is probably my biggest fear concerning witnessing, which is pretty silly when I think about it. If I wait until I have all the answers then I will die without having told anyone of Christ.
It is much easier for me to tell of what Christ has done in my life and in the life of my family. I can answer all of THOSE questions, and people have responded. Reguardless, this is an area where I need to work on.
Thanks for the reminder, Rodney.
I’m a firm believer in Christians belonging to groups outside the church
Thanks Rodney, that was cool. I might just borrow it for Cutting Edge- the Student Group I belong to :P.
Thanks again for sharing