CHAPTER 7 sharing my faith My Role ole e in n Spreading t the he Gos Gospel spe el To recognize the reality that people cannot accept Jesus as Lord and Savior without first hearing the gospel, and to encourage the practice of sharing our faith so others can hear, believe, and call on Jesus. God has chosen to use His people as His primary instruments to reach people with the gospel of Christ. Therefore, sharing our faith is a part of God s plan to save the world and our calling as Christ-followers. To understand that I have the opportunity to be involved in God s redemptive plan for people around me, and that I become faithful in sharing my faith with others. Background Passage: scripture Passage: Memory Verse: ROM ANS 1 0 : 1 3-1 7 R OM AN S 1 0: 1 3-1 5 R OMAN S 1 0 : 1 5b Everyone who calls on the name of How beautiful are the feet of Jesus will be saved (v. 13). those who announce the gospel No one will call on the name of Jesus of good things. without first hearing and believing the gospel (v. 14a). No one will hear, believe, and call on Jesus without someone sharing their faith (v. 14b). No one will share their faith unless they are sent (v. 15). page 57 SHARING MY FAITH
PREPARING TO TEACH The truth of this spiritual practice is simple: Followers of Christ are called to share their faith with others. The good news of Jesus has the power to bring salvation. The spiritual practice itself is often difficult for many believers. Those of us who communicate this message are to be bold in sharing it so that sinners might find forgiveness and eternal life through Christ. Believers have a variety of excuses to explain why they don t share their faith. Through this study you have the distinct privilege and responsibility of challenging them to put aside their excuses and live as a witness for Christ. This study includes an abundance of questions. By using questions to begin discussion, you open the door for learners to honestly share their fears, talk about the Scriptures, and determine in their hearts to follow God s plan for sharing the good news of Christ. Your role in this and every other study is to share honestly about your own struggles and to be an example of one who is learning and growing in this spiritual practice. Work through the Venture In Travelogue lesson, read and study each Scripture passage, and pray for wisdom as you prepare to lead. Prepare and display three tear sheets with one of these questions on each one: 1. Who shared Christ with you? List as many names as necessary. 2. Approximately how many people do you know personally who don t have a personal faith in Christ? 3. Why are Christians afraid to share their faith? Share Jesus Without Fear, written by William Fay and Ralph Hodge (1988 edition), is a tremendous resource as you prepare for this session and it s a great recommendation for members of the group as well. The book is available at many Christian bookstores and can be purchased as an e-book from amazon.com. page 5 8 SHARING MY FAITH
TEACHING SUGGESTIONS SAVE THE WORLD As learners arrive, direct them to respond to the questions posted on the tear sheets. Introduce today s spiritual practice and open in prayer, asking for God s wisdom and insight as we examine what it means to be a witness for Christ. Teaching Option As learners are arriving, spark interest by playing the brief video, Who is Jesus? It contains conversations with random people about their concept of who Jesus is and demonstrates the vast need for believers to share their faith. The video can be found online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvdypwxpzqw. Review responses on the first tear sheet. Prompt discussion by asking: What do you recall about how the person who shared Christ with you? Do you remember what he or she said? Did this person share a step-by-step plan of salvation with you? Did he or she witness to you with their lifestyle or through a casual conversation, or a combination of ways? Explain. Have you ever personally thanked this person for leading you to profess faith in Christ? Lead a brief prayer of thanks for all those who were instrumental in sharing Christ with the members of this group. Review responses to the second tear sheet. Total the numbers. Ask: Are you surprised at the number of people we know who don t know Christ? Are most of these people your friends, family, coworkers, casual acquaintances, or a combination? Do you think the number is relatively small or on target for a group of our size? Why? Pause and pray for the people represented by the numbers on this tear sheet. Ask God to empower each member of the group to be a bold and effective witness for Him. page 5 9 SHARING MY FAITH
Your discussion will vary depending on whether group members know several nonbelievers or they only know a few. Often after a person becomes a Christian, he or she tends to form new friendships with other believers and may lose contact with nonbelievers. Help learners recognize the vast number of nonbelievers they encounter every day. Review the reasons we re afraid to witness (third tear sheet). Be sure to include fear of rejection, confrontation, embarrassment, or of offending, lack of biblical knowledge, complacency, and bad experiences in the past. Emphasize that most people do not accept Christ s offer of salvation the first time someone tells them; it typically takes the faithful witness of many believers before someone surrenders to Christ. Explain that today s study will address some of these fears and hopefully give us confidence and courage to share our faith. SHARING MY FAITH IS ESSENTIAL AND EXPECTED Ask: Do you agree with the title for the second Travelogue section (p. 72) Sharing my Faith is Essential and Expected? Why or why not? Direct learners to locate in their Bibles and read silently Romans 10:13-15. Guide the exploration of these passages using the additional Scriptures, questions, and instructions in the Travelogue (pp. 73-75). Supplement the examination as needed by asking: Do you agree that witnessing is an action, not a vocation, for most believers? Explain. What s the difference in being a witness and the spiritual gift of evangelism? What are some synonyms of the word herald? How are you a herald? Do you picture those without Christ as captives? How is this image helpful when you think about your responsibility to share your faith? How does knowing you aren t responsible for someone s salvation only for sharing the gospel ease your fears about witnessing? page 6 0 SHARING MY FAITH
Visit the website http://biblehub.com/commentaries/romans/10-13.htm to review a variety of commentaries on Romans 10:13. Click the > arrow to move to the commentary for each consecutive verse. SHARING MY FAITH IS EMPOWERED Call for volunteers to read aloud Matthew 28:18-20; John 20:21-22; and Acts 1:8. Ask: Do you agree or disagree with this statement from the Travelogue (p. 76)? If you know the gospel well enough to come to faith in Christ, you know enough to tell someone how to be saved. Explain. Review the Travelogue writer s example in the third paragraph of this section (p. 76). Ask: Have you witnessed the power of the message in a similar way? When and how? SHARING MY FAITH THROUGH LIVING MY FAITH Briefly summarize Acts 16:16-28 and then read aloud Acts 16:29-34. Ask: How did Paul and Silas use their circumstances to be a witness for Christ? Why is it crucial for us to maintain our commitment to be a witness in all circumstances? How can our challenges in life and even our failures be used by God in our witness for Him? Emphasize these two statements from the Travelogue (p. 77): You can t share something you don t have. You can t change the world by proclaiming the gospel of Christ if the gospel has not changed you. Offer to share the gospel with anyone who is not certain of their own decision to embrace Christ s offer of salvation. Read Becoming a Christian by Dr. David Jeremiah at: http://www. davidjeremiah.org/site/about/becoming_a_christian.aspx. page 6 1 SHARING MY FAITH
DISCIPLINE MYSELF TO SHARE MY FAITH If time permits, ask a volunteer to read aloud each of the Scriptures highlighted in this section. Guide discussion of the six points in this section of the Travelogue (pp. 77-80) by asking questions such as: Pray: Why does prayer need to be the foundation of witnessing? What else would you add to the pray for list? What would you add to the pray that list? Think Positively: Do you view the opportunity to share your faith as a joy or a duty? Why? How does your attitude affect your witness? Be Prepared to Share: What verse(s) was shared with you when you accepted Christ as your personal Savior? How could you utilize the verses listed in the Travelogue (p. 79) during a witnessing opportunity? Share about a time you used an evangelistic tract. Have you written out your personal testimony? If so, how was that helpful? If not, how helpful do you think it would be to write out your personal testimony? Be Intentional: If you have ever developed a friendship with someone simply as a means to share Christ with them, what were the results? Do you agree with the Travelogue writer about the difference in intentional and conditional relationships? Why or why not? Start Spiritual Conversations: After reviewing the suggestions in the Travelogue (pp. 79-80), what additional conversation starters could you add to the list? How is being a good listener key to engaging in a spiritual conversation? Be Involved in Organized Outreach: What opportunities for organized outreach are offered through your church? What s the benefit of organized outreach? CONCLUSION Review the tear sheets from the beginning of the lesson. Emphasize that we cannot allow our fears to stand between those who need a relationship with Christ and eternity. Share the video, Who is Jesus? (either again or for the first time) as a reminder of the lost condition of our world. Go online to the website: https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=lvdypwxpzqw. Remind learners that there are similar people in our community, those we encounter on a daily basis, who are just waiting for someone to share the good news of Christ with them. page 6 2 SHARING MY FAITH
Teaching Option Distribute an index card to each person. Provide these instructions: On one side, record the names or initials of a person(s) you know who needs a personal relationship with Christ. On the other side, write out a prayer asking God to give you boldness and opportunity to share His love with this person(s). PRAY Observe a time of silence and encourage learners to honestly place their fears before the Lord and to ask Him for a heart of compassion for those who don t know Him and a boldness to share their faith. FOLLOW THROUGH Follow up with any group members who are unsure of their own salvation. Text or email the group members to let them know you are praying for them this week. Put aside your own fears and excuses. Share your faith with someone this week either through a direct witness, a casual conversation, or the outreach ministry of your church. Be an example for others in your group. page 6 3 SHARING MY FAITH