JOURNAL
Sermon: May 28th Given for Life s Sake!! Truth: We cannot live without Jesus. Eternal life is only attainable through surrender to Jesus. All the verses for today reiterate our death, even while alive, apart from Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Reflect honestly on where your heart is regarding this truth; let this be addressed to God, who says we can come to Him with all things. What makes this truth so difficult to embrace? Where are you personally in surrendering to this truth? Ephesians 2:1-5 Romans 6:20-23 Restate this truth in your own words, so it feels natural to say Why is surrendering to this truth crucial to sharing who Jesus is with others? Pray about this truth and ask God to help you surrender to this. Who in your life needs to hear this truth? But now that you have been set free from sin and become slaves to God, you have the consequence of a holy life, and the outcome is eternal life. - Romans 6:22
Sermon: June 4th Late is a dear cousin to Never You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. Luke 12:40 NLT Paul conveys a sense of urgency in that we are to accept the gospel and the truth that Jesus will return. If we are called to share this news and don t, who will share this news? How does this thought make you feel? How does the previous scripture make you feel? Are you ready for Jesus return? Does it change the way you think of how and when you will share the good news of new life with Jesus? Who comes to mind when thinking of sharing the new life you find in Jesus and his love? What has prevented you from sharing this with them? Luke 12:35-40 Acts 1:6-11 Romans 10:11-15 Revelations 22:20, 20:15 Pray about the person that needs to hear about the gospel and ask for the Holy Spirit to help through this process of learning how to share Jesus love with them. Who helped you learn about new life with Jesus and his unconditional love? How did they share this and the gospel with you? All who call on the Lord s name will be saved. Romans 10:13
Sermon: June 11th A True Work of Art Jeremiah 31:1-7 Ephesians 3:17-21 Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we can ask or imagine by his power at work within us. Ephesians 3:20 How well have you understood God s overall plan for winning back and redeeming His people before this lesson? What barriers have you possibly run into, whether in the world or in the Word, that have caused you to question this? Journal about your honest responses to this truth and/or your gratitude for God s great love for His masterpieces. Why is this truth of God redeeming his people crucial to know and be able to communicate when sharing about Jesus? State this truth in your own words. Quiet time with God: Pray a prayer of gratitude for God s love and work in your life. Pray for guidance on how to share your story with others.
Sermon: June 18th Don t Leave Home Without Him God meets all our needs, and is present in every day. How have you experienced and/or wrestled with this in your own faith walk? What creeps into the way of being aware of God s work in each moment of your life? How can you adjust your activities or attitudes to be more open and aware of what God is constantly doing in your life? Acts 17:24-29 2 Peter 1:3 2 Corinthians 9:8-9 John 10:10 Look inside your own life. What are your greatest needs? How has Jesus met those needs and taken care of your situations? What was Jesus timing like? How can these situations help you share the story of Jesus to others? Think about ways to incorporate these truths into your story. God truly is the answer to all our questions and the only source of all our needs. -Pastor Jason Write a prayer in your own words to ask God to continue shaping your heart and preparing those hearts with whom He s desiring you to share the good news.
Sermon: June 25th Seeing Inside Out So, since we have been made righteous by his grace, we can inherit the hope for eternal life. Titus 3:7 Before and After Your before and after Jesus story you seen Jesus do exactly this in your life? may be clear as day; if you have always expressed belonging to Jesus, it Write your story of how and why may not be as clear. In both cases, there you invited Jesus into your life. is a time when you have turned to Jesus and surrendered your life to him. What was your life like before Jesus came into your life, or before you confirmed your life in Him? What new attitudes, behaviors, directions have you experienced as a result of Jesus in your life? Titus 3:3-7 Colossians 1:19-22 Colossians 3:1-11 1 John 4:10 Ecclesiastes 3:11 Spend some time praying and thinking about your life. How does the course of your life fit the course of the gospel presentation in the scriptures provided? Where, how, in what ways, and when, have
Sermon: July 2nd If Only We Knew 2 Corinthians 4:13-18 Hebrews 7:25 James 1:16-18 Especially in a Wesleyan tradition, the moment of salvation, regarding a specific turning point, is only half of the full salvation picture. The rest is found in the life and work of the Holy Spirit following that turning point. Journal about how Jesus has continued each day beyond that specific moment to bring you closer to Him in relationship and work on the rough parts of your life and heart. Every good gift, every perfect gift, comes from above. James 1:17 Confess some of the barriers that stand between you and the fullness of Christ and his new life living fully in you. Ask the Holy Spirit to help eliminate some of those barriers and work in you to overcome those barriers. How will you personally walk with others as a life-changed life-changer to experience this transformation as a new creation in Christ with the fruits of the Spirit pouring forth? How will you continue to cultivate your own growth in the fruit of the Spirit as you walk with others?
Sermon: July 9th Fishers First Become Builders Start your time with prayer. Pray about the process of creating your testimony and ask for the Holy Spirit to fill you and help you see clearly your story. Pray and ask God to reveal names of those with whom He is desiring you to share your story. Writing Your Testimony Act 26 1 Peter 1:3-9; 3:15-16 1 John 2:12-14 Instead, regard Christ as holy in your hearts. Whenever anyone asks you to speak of your hope, be ready to defend it. 1 Peter 3:15 The most important thing is to be able to tell your story, not sell it, and share clearly what Jesus has done and how your life has changed. Guide for writing your testimony Testimony resources Thoughtco.com How to write your Christian Testimony 1) Acknowledge the power of your story if it s what Jesus has done, it IS extraordinary, regardless how dramatic or subtle it is. 2) Study examples in scripture 3) Pray intently about your story and how it should be shared 4) Include the three plot points: life before, the process of how Jesus came into your life (where, who, what, how), and life since 5) Be authentic, honest, and genuine 6) Concentrate your story to one theme or focus www.openbible.info Search for scriptures that specifically speak to you and reflect your salvation story Use the next page to start journaling your story using some of these resources and tips.
Sermon: July 16th Loving is Reaching Instead, regard Christ as holy in your hearts. Whenever anyone asks you to speak of your hope, be ready to defend it. 1 Peter 3:15 Journal about your excitement and Colossians 4:2-4 1 Corinthians 3:5-9 Matthew 10:19-20 Pray for strength, courage, and love in your first attempts to share and visit with someone. Ask that God will grant you courage, even though what you are saying may not be received. apprehensions regarding beginning to share your story. Let these words be honest words to Jesus share exactly what s on your heart. Think about how you might share your story. Journal about your overall plan and what your conversation might sound like with your friend Pray and write down the name(s) of who you are being led to share with. Include as many as are coming to you, regardless of the feasibility. Pray for guidance on where to start. Things to do before telling your story First be a friend by showing love (in your words, actions, etc) Seek activities, outings, and fellowship opportunities at church or through other venues to build that relationship Take more time getting to know them and their story than impressing yours on them Surrender to God s leading in your developing relationship Let this be a time honored process Listen to God s timing for when to share your story
Sermon: July 23rd All-out best in class Journal about the entire experience of this series. How has it challenged your heart? How has it changed your heart? What have you learned? How would you share this with others for their own ability to share the good news about Jesus? He said to them, Go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever doesn t believe will be condemned. Mark 16:15-16 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 Mark 9:35-37 Mark 16:15-16 Journal about your next steps and how you will make sharing about Jesus not merely a task, but a natural way of life and conversation. How will you safely and successfully live into the words Paul shares about becoming like all to reach all? Pray about your next steps. Ask God to guide you through this process of reaching others. Open your heart to the people you wrote down and continue to pray for them and how to reach them with your story.