May 21, 2023
YOU ASKED FOR IT: SHARING MY FAITH
May 21, 2023
Pastor Jonathan Falwell
What makes some folks confident and able to speak out about their faith, while others will only silently stand by, never participating in or initiating a conversation about the Lord they claim to love? Today we will learn how easy it is to share our faith, which is simply telling our own story of salvation. No one’s life is like that of anyone else’s, so your story will be completely different. Join us as we open our hearts to what Pastor has to say.
Focal Passages: 1 Timothy 1:12-19; 2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Corinthians 1:17, 2:4-5; Galatians 5:22-23.
How can I share my faith without feeling weird?
JUST BE YOU! ● Read 1 Tim. 1:12. When you became a Christian, how did it transform your life from the person you were? How did Jesus strengthen you to read your Bible and pray? Has He asked you to serve Him in some manner? ● Read Isa. 51:1. Why is it beneficial to take time to see what God’s grace saved you from? How does this put our own life in perspective, against the enormity of the grace of God? ● Read 1 Tim. 1:13. What did Paul say his former life was like? As Paul continued his ministry, how did his previous reputation precede him as he traveled from town to town? Have you had to contend with a situation like that? How did you overcome it? ● What are some of your greatest assets that God can use? What are some of your personal characteristics that you’ve hated, but now realize God can turn into effective witnessing tools?
TRUST IN HIM! ● Read 1 Tim. 1:14-15a. What are some passages in Scripture that tell us to rely on the Holy Spirit when we have to speak on behalf of God? Who indwells you? Read 2 Cor. 2:4-5. Will He give you the words to say when you are in a position to witness and your spirit is praying “God help me!” when you don’t know what to say? Do you have an example? ● Whose plan is salvation—yours or God’s? If you are carrying out His plan, how can you be certain He will guide you?
TRUST HIS PLAN, your story has more value than you think! ● Read 1 Tim. 1:15b-16. Replace the Pauline references and put your own name and past in this verse and tell how God can use you after saving you out of a life of ___. ● Why was it so effective today to watch the baptism of someone who had spent ten years in prison? Can you imagine his salvation story, and the abuse that must have been heaped on him in prison? Is he being used? Why is it imperative that we be willing to be used?
So, how do I share my faith?
GO BACK TO THE SOURCE: ● Read 1 Tim. 1:18. Why is it necessary to spend time in God’s Word, and talking to Him in prayer? Why must you also be quiet, learning to hear His voice?
TAKE YOUR FAITH DEEPER: ● Read verse 19a. As you learn to know Christ better, what will happen? ● When you met the person you wanted to marry, how did you convince your family or others how wonderful they were? Is that any different?
LIVE RIGHT: ● Read 1 Tim. 1:19b. When people say the church is full of hypocrites, what do they mean? List examples of hypocrisy. How can we keep our conscience clear?
BE READY: ● Read 2 Tim. 4:2. Everyone has been in school at some point! When a test was given, what was the only ethical way to pass it? ● Why is it not possible to introduce someone to Jesus Christ unless you know Him well?
- KNOW YOUR STORY
- BE PREPARED
- CARE MORE ABOUT YOUR WALK WITH CHRIST THAN ABOUT OTHERS’ WALK WITH HIM
- PRAY FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE YOUR STORY
- GENUINELY CARE ABOUT PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY IF THEY’RE NOT OF YOUR CLOSE CIRCLE
- BE NICE TO EVERYONE, NO MATTER WHAT
Close:
Have you ever observed grandchildren when they pile out of the family car, ready for a visit with grandparents? Those who feel the most secure in the love of their Grandmom and Grandpop will fly to their arms and hug tightly until the love is all transferred to each heart. Others may hang back, waiting for a turn, or waiting for an invisible signal that indicates they are wanted.
How do you approach God? Do you run boldly, flying into the arms of your Abba Father (“Poppa”)? Or do you creep quietly, with your cheeks burning, so afraid someone will say you are too bad for Him to love you? Perhaps your shame is overwhelming you, and no matter how often you read the promises, your past still rides on your shoulders.
If you’re like the grandchild who hangs back, when Grandmom holds you in her arms and whispers love to you, do you sob in relief, as she dries your tears? So does your heavenly Father, when you come to Him in repentance for what you have done in this life that you are so sorry for. And because you are truly sorry for what you did, and believe in what Jesus did for you, you offer Him a heart that is broken and ask Him to fix it.
He does. He heals it and makes you a new creature through Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17). Now you have a story. Go out and share it. That’s it. Just tell your story of a new beginning in Christ.
By Sandy Day
May 21, 2023