Living a Life That Counts

Transcription

1 A COMPANION BIBLE STUDY TO Going Home: The Journey Of Kim Jones Living a Life That Counts TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction: Building an Eternal Foundation Lesson 1: Your Eternal Destiny Lesson 2: Knowing God Intimately Lesson 3: Living a Life of Purpose Lesson 4: Eternal Satisfaction Lesson 5: Treasures in Heaven Lesson 6: Leaving a Legacy 2001 by Whitney Prosperi, Scott McIntosh, and Stephanie Jones Editor: Gail H. Jones Published by The Light Still Shines, Inc. All Rights Reserved. You may copy this booklet as needed for conducting one-on-one or group Bible studies.

2 INTRODUCTION BUILDING AN ETERNAL FOUNDATION On September 15, 1999 a gunman s bullet took the life of twenty-three year old Kim Jones. Her short life here on earth was over and in a split second she passed into eternity. As the world watched the news in shock and horror, her family received word that she had died. They grieved the loss of their daughter and sister. Their tears seemed to have no end as they realized they would never again see Kim here on earth. But they were strangely comforted in the fact that Kim Jones had already died years before. You see, as a college student, she had received salvation through Jesus Christ and had surrendered her whole life to Him. The days of living for her own interests had ended. She decided that she would no longer live for herself, but for Jesus Christ who had saved her. Kim sought to live for Christ with every action and every word. When her life ended on September 15, 1999 it wasn t really her own life, for she had given all of herself to Him. Her life was in His hands. On September 15 she passed from her earthly home to her eternal, permanent home. Heaven was hers to enjoy forever. Heaven is Kim s home today, although her life and legacy continue to live on the earth. The following study is based on a message Kim gave two months before she died. That message* is a wake-up call for all of us who remain. As you read the following thoughts and Scriptures, take some time to examine your own life. Kim s life was characterized by her insatiable love for the Lord. She knew God intimately; she lived a life of purpose; she understood about and cherished her eternal destiny; she stored up treasures in heaven; she anticipated going home; and she left a most compelling legacy behind. What is the legacy you are leaving behind? Are you, like Kim, building a foundation that will last for eternity? *It is entitled A Path of Purpose on the Going Home: The Journey of Kim Jones video.

3 LESSON 1 YOUR ETERNAL DESTINY The only thing that we re going to be satisfied in is the Lord. He created us that way. That is the reason we re living: To have that relationship with Him. Kim Jones* In Kim s message she asked the question, What is the meaning of life? Many people are asking that question these days. You may have even asked that question in the silence of your own heart. Why am I here? Is there a purpose to my existence? How can I find peace? How can I know for sure that I will go to Heaven when I die? These questions are all common to the human race. Many carry them around unanswered until their dying day. Did you know that you can get the answers to those questions? They are found in God s Word, the Bible. There, God speaks to the deepest needs of humanity. He shows us that purpose, security, forgiveness, and destiny are found in His Son Jesus Christ. Let s take a look at some Bible passages and quotations from Kim s talk and seek application for our lives. Look at Romans 3: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. ** 1.1 (a) What does this passage teach about sin? (b) Is there anyone who has never sinned? In Kim s message she states: Let me tell you that there is this man named Jesus, and He loves you so much that He was willing to leave heaven AWESOME heaven and come down to this earth to walk among us and to ultimately die on a cross for you. Read John 3: For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son [Jesus], that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. 1.2 What was God s motivation for sending Jesus into the world? 1.3 What is promised for those who believe in the name of Jesus? * Kim s quotes are from the video or from her journal dated December 1998 to September **All Biblical quotes are from New International Version.

4 This passage teaches that salvation comes from believing in the name of Jesus Christ. What does that mean? The Bible also teaches that the demons believe (James 2:19) and we know that they are not going to Heaven. So we know that believing is more than just acknowledging that Jesus exists. It s more than just head knowledge. It means putting our trust in Him for the forgiveness of our sins and realizing that He is our only hope for salvation. It s also heart knowledge. Let s dig deeper. Read Romans 6:23. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1.4 What is the consequence or payment for sin? 1.5 What is the gift of God described in this passage? The Bible teaches that because of Jesus death and resurrection we can have forgiveness of sin. We can have a personal relationship with God. We can be assured that we will go to Heaven when we die. Read John 14:6. Jesus answered, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 1.5 (a) What is the way to God? (b) Is there any other way? When Jesus died on the cross He took on the sins of all humanity and paid the debt for their sin forever. There is no way that sinful man can earn his way into Heaven. From the first man, Adam, all the way through history, man has been sinful. Man s sin has separated him from God. Sin is like a huge crevasse that man cannot cross. That is exactly why Jesus came to the earth. He was born a baby and grew up to live a perfect, sinless life. He then paid the price for all humanity s sin when He died on the cross. This includes your sin, my sin, Kim s sin, everyone s sin. After His death He was buried in a tomb that was sealed with a huge boulder. But nothing could keep Him in the tomb. He rose from the dead, and was victorious over sin, death, and hell. Jesus died and rose in order that man could cross that crevasse separating him from God. He is the only way to God. He became the only way for man to have eternal life. What about you? Have you ever thought about your eternal destiny? Kim Jones asked the question in her message, What would you say if you were standing before the throne of God and He asked you, Why should I let you into Heaven? Think about that question. How would you answer God? The Bible teaches that believing in Jesus Christ s death and resurrection is the only way to receive forgiveness and assurance of Heaven. Your destiny isn t determined by how good you are, how many kind deeds you have done, or if your family is a Christian family. It is only determined by whether or not you have a personal relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. It is a decision that affects your eternal destiny. Christ died so that you wouldn t have to live separated forever from God. However, you must choose this side of the grave. Kim said in her sermon,

5 We are forced to live out the rest of eternity based on the decisions we are making today and in this life. How will you choose? Will you choose to accept God s free gift of love? In the video, Pastor Al Meredith teaches that becoming a Christian is as simple as: Admitting you need a Savior Believing in Christ alone Committing your life to Jesus Christ If you are certain you know Jesus as your personal Savior, then thank Him today. If you would like to become a Christian today, pray this simple prayer. It is not the words that make the difference it is the sincerity of your heart. God, I know that I have done many things in my life that are sinful and have been against Your ways. I am coming to You today in faith and in desperate need of You to save me. I know there is nothing I can do on my own to be forgiven and that is why I put my faith in Jesus death and resurrection. Please forgive me of my sins and save me today. I receive Your forgiveness through Jesus Christ s death on the cross. I ask You to not only be my Savior, but also my Lord. Thank you for saving me and for giving me a place with You in Heaven for all eternity. Help me as I live out my days here on earth to honor You and to live my life for Your glory. Amen. Take comfort in Romans 10:9-10. If you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with the heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. If you prayed that prayer today, find a pastor or Christian friend with whom you can share that decision. Christian support and daily reading from God s Word will help you as you grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ. Put the date below as your historical record of the day you aligned your life with that of God Almighty and began leaning on Him for the strength, wisdom and love to live a life that counts. Today for the first time I asked Jesus to be my Savior and Lord. Date Whether you just prayed to receive Christ or you did it a long time ago, you might want to write a prayer of thanksgiving to God for what He has done for you. (P.S. Please let the Jones Family know if you asked Jesus to be your Savior by contacting them through the website or thejonesfamily@thelightstillshines or write The Light Still Shines, PMB 104, 8000 Research Forest Dr. #115, The Woodlands, TX 77382)

6 LESSON 2 KNOWING GOD INTIMATELY When was the last time you just said to yourself, I delight myself in the Lord God Almighty? If you took everything away from me, I would still be delighted because the Lord is my song and my strength and my joy and I just love the Lord. Kim Jones How well do you know the people that are the closest to you in your life? Your family and your closest friends? You probably know them intimately. That means you know all about them. You know the great things they do, the things they are good at, their weaknesses, the funny quirks about them, and a lot of things that most people don t know about them. You know these things about them because you know them so well. Do you understand that you can know God intimately? The moment you invite Jesus to come into your life is the moment that you start to build a relationship with Him. Just like in any other relationship, you can go beyond the casual acquaintance stage to the deeper stages of understanding. Many people stop at the acquaintance stage and never know how much they are missing. Don t let that happen to you. Grow deep in your relationship to God. How can you do that? Kim talked about the pursuit of knowing God and compared it to a marriage relationship. She said that the key to growth is time spent with the Lord. Just as in any other relationship, time is critical if you are going to understand and know the other person. Why do we think it would be different in our relationship with God? Kim said, It takes a moment by moment working at it. It is both a process and a lifelong goal. You don t decide one day that you are going to know God, read one book and then understand Him. It just doesn t work that way. Think about it this way. God is unfathomable. Our minds cannot contain Him. They cannot imagine how great He is, how wonderful He is, how powerful He is. But the good news is that even though He is such a powerful and magnificent God, He still promises to reveal Himself to those who seek Him. Read James 4:8. Come near to God and He will come near to you. 2.1 What is the promise of God for those who come closer to Him? 2.2 In what ways can you get closer to God? What if you only spent twenty minutes each day with the most important person in your life? Would that enhance intimacy in your relationship? Probably not. It is the most important relationships that take the most time. They are worth the time and investment. That is certainly true of our relationship with God. It is the most precious relationship we have. Think about how much time you spend actively pursuing knowing God. Does that need to increase? You may want to ask someone to hold you accountable on how you are doing. You may want to find a quiet time book that helps you or buy a Bible translation that is easier to understand.

7 2.3 What are some steps that would help you grow in your relationship with God? Read Isaiah 40:8. The grass withers, and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God stands forever. 2.5 What does this passage teach about God s Word? There are so few things that will last forever. Everything we wear, drive, eat and own will fade away, but God s Word is eternal. It will never be shaken. That is why it is critical that we know it and live our lives by the unchanging truth that is found in the Bible. Read Psalm 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Read Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. 2.6 According to these verses, why is it so important to know and understand God s Word? It is during your time in God s Word that you will get to know what He is like. He will reveal His character and His ways to you. It is like a treasure map that leads to the greatest treasure of all God Himself. Read Psalm 62:8. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. 2.7 What do you think pour out your heart before Him means? We pour our hearts out to our friends and families. Why wouldn t we bring our concerns and troubles to Him? He is the One who can help us most of all. Prayer is simply talking with God. It means bringing before Him the concerns of our lives. It means asking for help and guidance. It means seeking to know Him and learning to hear His voice. It means praising Him.

8 2.8 The word refuge means defense or strength. Why do you think the Bible describes God as a refuge? 2.9 How has God been a refuge to you? Kim s journals were filled with expressions of her heart to God on paper. She brought her concerns, praises, and burdens to God. She poured her heart out to her God. People said that she took God s Word seriously and spent time with Him each day. Whether you write out your prayers or simply speak them out of your heart, just bring them to the God who loves you so much. He is a great God. He is a mighty God. He hears each and every beat of your heart. He knows you by name. Just think you can know Him intimately. What an incredible thought! He longs to spend time with you. Time in His Word and in prayer will launch you on this journey. When you come to Him, you will find Him waiting for you. Psalm 42:1-2 says, As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? Is your passion for God as great as your thirst for water? Kim s very last (September 13, 1999) journal entry reads, I don t want to ever lose the passion of being totally in love with you alone! God, please continue to stir my heart, make me passionate now and always! Spend some time asking God to give you a passion to know Him intimately. Remember it won t happen overnight. It is a moment-by-moment, lifelong pursuit. Write out your prayer. Read it again in a month to check your progress on your journey.

9 LESSON 3 LIVING A LIFE OF PURPOSE So how about you? Are you walking a path of purpose? Kim Jones When people speak of Kim Jones they always talk about her contagious joy and radiant smile. She always seemed to be smiling. Her life was characterized by joy. To know her meant you knew she loved Jesus Christ with all that was in her. To know her also meant that she was going to share with you how you too could know Him. Her life was filled with purpose. In the message two months before her death she stated, There are two basic reasons why we are alive (1) to get to know the Almighty Creator of this whole universe through relationship with Jesus Christ, His Son and (2) to do what God has called us to do. The compass of her life was set by these two purposes. What about you? What would you say is the reason you are living? Have you determined the compass that will set the direction for the rest of your life? Read Philippians 3:7-9. But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 3.1 What does Paul consider to be the most important goal in life? 3.2 To what does the verse compare things of this world for the sake of Jesus? 3.3 What are some things in your life hindering you from having a life of purpose? When our goals are to know Christ more and to fulfill His plans for our lives, we find the greatest joy and satisfaction. This may not mean the easy way and rarely does but we can rest in the truth that our lives will be directed by purpose. They will make an impact on eternity. Read Ephesians 2:10. For we are God s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advanced for us to do. 3.4 According to Ephesians 2:10 Why were we created? You are a one of a kind original. In Kim s message she said, God put you on this earth at this time period in this century to do something! He has created you in order that He would use you to make a difference for all eternity. You have the choice as to whether you will let Him use your life or spend it on your own agenda. Kim decided that she would live for the purposes of God in her generation. She wanted God to use her life each and every day to tell others about His love for them. God is using her life in a mighty way!

10 3.5 How can you let your life be used for God s purposes? Read Proverbs 3:5,6. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 3.6 How much of our heart should we trust God with? 3.7 Whose understanding should we lean on? 3. 8 Explain what you think He will make our paths straight means. Read Matthew 6:33. But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 3.9 List specific ways you can seek His Kingdom first in your life. God calls us to seek Him first not just the plans He has for our lives. We must seek Him because we love Him and want to know Him. Then the plans have a way of finding us. Knowing Him is better than knowing a plan any day. Read Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us What do you need to do to run the race successfully?

11 3.11 Think about your life. What is keeping you from giving your best to Him? Will you pray the prayer Kim prayed: Lord, will You help me to evaluate the ways I am spending my energies. Please show me if I am living a wise life. Please make it count for eternity. Spend some time alone with God asking Him to help you live your life with His purposes in mind rather than your own. He will be the strength you need as you build a foundation that will last for eternity. Write a prayer that shows your desire to live a life of purpose according to the design of God.

12 LESSON 4 ETERNAL SATISFACTION I think many of us say, Yeah, I m a Christian and I believe in Jesus but I d be really happy if I had more money, or if I had a new car, or if I had a girlfriend or a boyfriend, of if I was married or wasn t married or... The list goes on and on. I m here to tell you that those buts have got to stop. Kim Jones Have you ever wanted something so badly and then finally received it, only to find that you were still as dissatisfied as you felt before? Why is that? Why is it that we humans are always looking for that perfect thing or person that will satisfy us? It is because God created us with deep needs in our hearts that can only be satisfied with Himself. The Bible often refers to those needs as thirsts. In John 7:37-38 Jesus said, If a man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. 4.1 Where does Jesus proclaim that the people who are thirsty need to go? Jesus calls us to come to Him with our deepest needs. We must bring our thirst for purpose, acceptance, love, forgiveness and wholeness to Him. The world is constantly promising to satisfy, but it cannot deliver. It says that if we have enough money, success, acclaim or friends, we will be satisfied. It says that we must have the newest look or know the right person in order to be happy. People go chasing after all of these things only to come back empty. 4.2 How do people try to satisfy their inner thirsts rather than going to Jesus? In John 10:10 Jesus also said, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 4.3 Jesus promises not only to satisfy us but also to fill us to abundance. Why then are people tempted to go other places to get their needs met? Kim said, The only place that we re going to be fully satisfied is in the Lord. He created us that way. That is the reason we re living to have that relationship with Him. We hold on so tightly to these things in our hands that we think are going to make us so happy. What we don t understand is the minute we give them up to the Lord, He fills our lives with so much goodness.

13 4.4 What are the things that you are holding onto, hoping they will satisfy you rather than giving them to the Lord? 4.5 Are you willing to give them over to the Lord and allow Him to meet the deep needs of your heart? Read Psalm 37:4. Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. 4.6 What is the promise for those who delight in Him? 4.7 How can you delight in God today? The incredible truth of this passage is that the more you delight in knowing God and seeking Him, the more your heart is delighted by Him. He becomes the greatest desire of your heart. Those who find their deep joy in God are those who are the most satisfied. They don t run to the world trying to get their needs met. They have found that they have living water inside of them. The water is Jesus. He satisfies their deepest thirsts. Read Psalm 63:1-3. O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. This describes the cry of a person who knows that only God can deeply satisfy. This is one who has laid down the things that promise satisfaction in order to know the true thirst quencher Jesus Christ. Nothing or no one can compare with Him. What about you? Does this passage describe your heart? 4.8 What are the thirsts of your heart?

14 4.9 God wants all of you every single day. Will you turn to God for satisfaction and fulfillment of them today? II Thessalonians 5:17 says to, Pray without ceasing. Prayer is talking to God. Ask Him to make your relationship with Him so intimate that you are finding your satisfaction in God alone. Share the desires of your heart below.

15 LESSON 5 TREASURES IN HEAVEN Sometimes we start to focus so much on this world that we forget that God has said in His Bible that this world is not our home. We are strangers and aliens in this place. This isn t it and listen to this...this is the most amazing thing. We are forced to live out the rest of eternity based on the decisions that you are making today and in this life. Are you living a life that is going to count not only in this life but in the eternity to come? Kim Jones What are your greatest desires and dreams? Have you ever considered that only some things will really last? This world is filled with things and pleasures that are only temporary. They aren t necessarily bad but they are temporary. They are here today and gone tomorrow. What is in now will be old news next year. The music you enjoy today will start to sound old to you in the near future. We are creatures who live in the here and now, but the here and now is just that here and gone. As you look at the Scripture passages below, think about the things you pursue and value. Are they things that are quickly passing away or will they stand forever? We were made for eternity. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, He has set eternity in the hearts of men. That is why we tire of these earthly things so quickly. Our hearts are only satisfied as we set them on the things that really matter eternal things. For those who set their hearts and minds above truly have treasure that cannot be taken from them. Read Matthew 6: Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 5.1 What do you think storing treasures in Heaven means? 5.2 What are some practical things that you can do to store up treasure in Heaven? Every time you pray for others and ask for God s will to be done in a situation, you are choosing to focus on the eternal. Each time you share the love of Christ with someone you are choosing eternity over temporary treasure. When you give your money to help further the name of Jesus being spread to others, you are focusing on eternity. This is just the beginning. The key is not in our outside behavior, but what is in our hearts. What we set our hearts upon will determine our actions and attitudes.

16 5.3 What does For where your treasure (the things you really value) is, there your heart will be also mean? 5.4 If you were honest with yourself, would you say that your heart is set more on eternal or temporary things? Think about what kind of investment you are making in the world. Is your time and effort affecting this temporary world alone, or is it making a difference that will count for eternity? Are you using the opportunities God has given you to make an impact for the Kingdom of God? Read I Timothy 6: Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 5.5 (a) What does it mean to be rich in good deeds? (b) In what ways can you be more generous and willing to share? 5.6 Kim challenged people to ask the question of themselves, What am I doing that is going to count for eternity? Ask yourself this question today. Read Colossians 3:1-2. Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Have you ever noticed that it is so easy to set our hearts on the things here on earth? The world seems to demand the attention of our hearts and minds. But we do not have to live this way. We are called to live according to a higher pattern. Only in His strength can we live in this world without becoming consumed by it. The key is focus. What we focus our hearts and minds on will determine the course of our lives. It will determine where we go, what we do, and what we pursue. 5.7 (a) What are you focusing on today? (b) Does it need to change?

17 Read Philippians 4:8-9. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. This verse gives us a standard by which we can evaluate our thoughts. We can determine whether our hearts and minds are focused on the right things. 5.8 Ask God to reveal to you what thoughts you have about yourself, a situation at home office or school that does not meet His standard for our thoughts. 5.9 How do you think God will make a difference in your world if you change those thoughts? Don t underestimate what God can do through you as you change your focus and begin laying up for yourself treasures in heaven. We can make a difference in our world by evaluating our thoughts and choosing to think as God would have us think. Kim s goal was to make the most of her moments. What will you do with yours? No matter how you use your time--whether you are a parent, a student, a volunteer, an employee or employer, consider allowing God to use you to make an eternal difference. These are opportunities He has given you. Allow Him to use you where you are. Write out a prayer to God that tells Him of your desire to store up treasures in Heaven and of your desire to change your focus and the thoughts that do not conform to His standard.

18 LESSON 6 LEAVING A LEGACY Dear God, I just come before You and I ask You that You would touch each person s heart Lord, help us to live a life of purpose and with meaning. Lord, help us to live a life that is going to count for eternity. Lord, just give us life abundantly. Help us to stop holding on to the things that are going to perish, but to store up our treasures in Heaven. God, do so much more than we could ever ask or could ever know. In the precious most holy name of Jesus, I pray. Amen. Kim Jones Have you ever thought about the fact that you are leaving a legacy? Everyday you are writing the story of your life. It is read by all who know you, all who come in contact with you, and even those who will come behind you. You can leave a legacy of earthly accomplishments and acclaim. You can leave a legacy of selfishness and greed. Or you can allow God to write each and every page, directing your hours and minutes, using your life to point others to Himself. The simple truth is that you choose what will be in the book of your life. When others read it, what will they find? Read Psalm 139:13-17 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Think about that for a minute. God chose exactly where and when you should live on this earth. He created you for a purpose. He knew you would attend your particular school, be born into your family and have your interests. He placed you especially where He wanted you at this particular time for a special purpose. He wants you to use your life to spread the love of Christ to the people you will encounter. You are no accident. You are a part of God s divine master plan. By yielding your life to that plan, you will experience Him in ways you will hardly believe. That was the case with Kim Jones. Everyone with whom Kim came in contact knew that Jesus Christ loved them. She shared with her friends, with strangers, overseas and in America. It really didn t matter where she was because she saw each place as a divine opportunity. She shared the love of Jesus with those in her path. Read I Peter 3:15. But in your hearts set apart Christ as the Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 6.1 When are we commanded to be prepared to share about Christ?

19 6.2 (a) Who shared with you about Jesus Christ and His love for you? (b) Where would you be today if that person had not shared with you? 6.3 Think of five people you know who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. List their names below. Place those names in a location where you alone can see them regularly and pray for them each day. Ask God to use you to share Jesus love with them. You may be a part of their lives for that very reason. Read Jude Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them 6.4 We know that God is the one who actually saves people, but when we share with others from what are they saved? 6.5 (a) List some reasons that people do not share their faith with others. (b) What are some reasons that have kept YOU from sharing your faith? 6.6 What are some ways that you can overcome these obstacles to sharing your faith? Read II Corinthians 3:3. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

20 Your life is a letter a message for all who come in contact with you. What will they read when they do? Will they see the love of Christ? What will they hear when you open your mouth? Will they hear of His hope? They are watching and reading. Ask God to let your life be the message He would send each and every page, each and every day. This is the legacy that will last for eternity. Kim did not know when she spoke these words that her opportunity to leave a legacy would be over in six weeks. You guys, we re basically a bunch of backpackers. We are all just travelers, we are all just on a journey, and we are all heading for our home and someday this body of mine, it s going to die, it s going to pass away. Kim Jones We don t know that we have tomorrow. All we know is that we have right now. You choose whether you will walk to the cross or away from it. You choose whether or not you will share the message of hope with others. You choose every moment how others will remember you. You choose each moment what kind of legacy you will leave. Choose right now to serve him. Choose to live each moment for the Lord without looking back. Choose to walk to the cross and kneel there. Choose today to follow Kim s example of loving people and sharing Christ. 6.7 Take a moment and review the choices that are open to you. Decide what kind of legacy you will leave behind you. If your legacy starts today, what kind of legacy do you want to leave in six months or twenty years. How do you want to be remembered? For what do you want to be remembered. People said of Kim Jones that it was obvious she let Jesus Christ live His life through her. She yielded to His plan each day. Write out a prayer asking God to help you yield each day to Him and to live in HIS strength and power.

21 Dear Lord I pray that you would minister to our hearts right now. Lord, teach us that you are awesome! Teach us that You want us to live a life with purpose and with meaning. Lord, teach us what really counts. Lord, teach us that we can really be free. In the name of Jesus, I love You. Amen. Kim Jones July 1999 Please let us know how the Bible study has impacted your life and how THE LIGHT STILL SHINES! Contact the Family At: The Light Still Shines, Inc. PMB Research Forest Drive #115 The Woodlands, TX Web Site: JonesFamily@thelightstillshines.org Phone: