Episode 8
The New Christian Podcast
Title: How to Share Your Faith
1.
Greetings
When we think of our faith and sharing it with others,
we are commanded by God to go and make disciples. Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus gives
us our marching orders when He says “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.”
But it begins with sharing the Gospel, What is the
“Gospel” might ask? Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]:
that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was
buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, or in
other words, The central truth of the gospel is that God has provided a way of
salvation for men through the gift of His Son to the world. He suffered as a
sacrifice for sin, overcame death, and now offers a share in His triumph to all
who will accept it. The gospel is good news because it is a gift of God, not
something that must be earned by penance or by self-improvement.
So, what are some simple ways of sharing your faith?
Bill Graham wrote in this address.
1. Identify your
mission field. (It may be closer than you think!)
Have you ever heard the expression, “Bloom where
you’re planted”? That’s what God wants us to do with the Gospel—make the most
of our circumstances and reflect His love to everyone around us. You don’t have
to be a pastor or missionary to tell people about Jesus, either; just think of
all the people around you in need of hope.
Psalm 96:3 tells
us to “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the
peoples!” Keep your eyes open for
people you can talk to and ways you can connect the conversation with Christ.
Catch up with a family member by phone or text message. Use social media to
encourage a friend. Let a coworker know you are praying for him or her. Take
dinner to a neighbor in need. Ask a cashier how their day is going and really
listen. Be intentional about forming relationships with people around you.
One more tip and this is a biggie: Don’t
underestimate the power of prayer. As Billy Graham once said, “Prayer is
crucial in evangelism: … No matter how logical our arguments or how fervent our
appeals, our words will accomplish nothing unless God’s Spirit prepares the
way.”
2. Focus on the
Gospel.
Billy Graham has said, “I do not have to make the
Gospel relevant; it is always relevant in any part of the world … [and] I must
get the whole Gospel in [every] sermon.”
The Gospel has the power to transform lives. If you’re
short on time and want to explain the Good News in a nutshell, share John 3:16:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes
in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
There are also things you can do to show your faith
over time:
·
Live a consistent,
Christ-centered life. (Need help? Find 9 ways to grow in your faith.)
·
Be a friend and a
good listener.
·
The Holy Spirit
gives us the power to share the Gospel (Acts 1:8). Pray He will give you
opportunities to share your faith.
·
Avoid arrogance
and preachiness.
Remember, we’re all sinners in need of a Savior. Try
to see people as God sees them—as treasured creations made in His image and
loved unconditionally. When we see others that way, we will want to follow
God’s command to share the hope of the Gospel.
How exactly do you share the Gospel, step by step?
What do you say and how do you approach it? That
differs from person to person…
3. Share true
stories of God’s power.
No matter how “ordinary” yours may seem, we’ve all got
a story to tell and you never know what it can mean to someone until you share
it.
Jesus often talked in parables so people could better
grasp God’s plans, instructions, and power. In the same way, you can use
personal experiences and stories to relate to others and tell them about
Christ.
Keep in mind, though, that most people will only give
you a few minutes to get your point across. So you don’t ramble on and on, try
writing down your story—focusing on a few key points. Ask God to give you
guidance as you write (James 1:5-6 > If
anyone one of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all
without finding fault, and it will be given to you). These questions
may also help you narrow your testimony down to three minutes or so:
What was life like before you accepted Christ?
How did you receive Christ?
What did you hear?
How did you respond?
Why did you choose to put your trust in Christ?
Try to mention a Bible verse or two, but be careful
not to overwhelm your listener.
How has life changed since accepting Christ? It’s OK
if you stumbled or struggled in the past. The important thing is, to be honest, and relatable here.
Do your best to write the way you speak and practice
you're story until it’s natural.
Above all, remember that
it’s God’s business to turn a person’s heart towards Christ. Though we are to
be obedient in sharing our faith, our persuasion alone is not enough. As 1
Corinthians 3:6 says, some plant, some water, but it is God who makes the seed
grow.
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