HOW TO SHARE YOUR FAITH BLAKE BURGET MARCH 10, 2016 THE GREAT COMMISSION Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. MATTHEW 28:18-20 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. ACTS 1:8 When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. MATTHEW 9:36-38 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. ACTS 4:12 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I JOHN 5:11-12 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. II PETER 3:9 And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ s behalf: Be reconciled to God. II CORINTHIANS 5:19-20 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome. I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. ROMANS 1:14-16 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. ROMANS 10:14-16, 17 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law, so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law, so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. I CORINTHIANS 9:19-23 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. I PETER 3:14-16 We engage in evangelism, not necessarily because we want to, or because we choose to, or because we like to; but because we have been told to. The church is under orders. The risen Lord has commanded us to go, to preach, and to make disciples, and that is enough for us. JOHN R. W. STOTT If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him. C. T. STUDD Father, make of me a crisis man. Bring those I contact to decision. Let me not be a milepost on a single road; make me a fork, that men must turn one way or another on facing Christ in me. JIM ELLIOT
WHY DO WE SHARE OUR FAITH?
THE EVANGELISM STRATEGY 3D ONE LIFE DEVELOP FRIENDSHIPS A process of building authentic friendships with non-christians based on common interests by offering unconditional acceptance with relational intelligence. (Trust) DISCOVER STORIES A process of extending genuine interest and curiosity, and seeking to sincerely understand through asking relevant questions and listening really well. (Empathy) DISCERN NEXT STEPS A process of prayerfully determining the best next steps to engage the friendship and respectfully facilitate the greatest spiritual impact. (Influence)
DEVELOP FRIENDSHIPS But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. Having thus a fond affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. I THESSALONIANS 2:7-8 DROP CLUES EARLY ASK FOR HELP BE INTENTIONAL FIND COMMON GROUND HANG OUT TOGETHER BUILD BRIDGES OF TRUST A basic ingredient to building meaningful friendships with non-christians is a growing level of trust within the relationship. What can you do to build bridges of trust within the context of a friendship with your ONE LIFE? What could potentially dismantle the bridge of trust between you and your ONE LIFE? TRUST BUILDERS TRUST BUSTERS
DISCOVER STORIES Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also the interests of others. -PHILIPPIANS 2:4 BE CURIOUS SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND ASK GREAT QUESTIONS LISTEN REALLY WELL EXPRESS EMPATHY THE ART OF ASKING QUESTIONS THE ART OF LISTENING
DISCERN NEXT STEPS Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders, make the most of every opportunity. -COLOSSIANS 4:5 BE PRAYERFUL SERVE GIVE RESOURCES EXTEND INVITATIONS SHARE THE MESSAGE HONOR THE PROCESS OF INFLUENCE DO S DON TS