BSOM102: Sharing Your Faith as a Lifestyle [Audio & Video]
Notes: Sharing Your Faith as a Lifestyle
Sharing Your Faith as a Lifestyle was taught via Skype in a nation in Asia on October 18, 2017 as part of the Believers School of Ministry. This is one of the most important messages which we have to share with the Body of Christ. Each of us have a part in reaching this world for Jesus Christ and each of us CAN share our faith and reach others with a little help and encouragement. Be sure and watch the video or listen to the audio and put into practice the things that you learn. All the teaching notes are here as well.
This message is a part of the Online Believers School of Ministry.
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Notes: Sharing Your Faith as a Lifestyle
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The purpose of this lesson is to encourage believers to share their faith and to give the major keys to help them to reach others for Jesus.
INTRODUCTION
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Mark 16:15-20, KJV.
He told to go into ALL the world, including where you live.
The most effective form of evangelism is what you do everyday, where you live, where you work, where you play. It’s just being an influence, a help, a blessing to people and bringing the knowledge of God through Jesus Christ to them right where they live.
80 to 90 percent of the people that come to Christ come as a result of the witness or invitation of a friend or relative. There’s proclamation evangelism, which we need, there’s media evangelism, advertising etc., but by far the most effective evangelism is you reaching out on a personal level to those around you.
Tom’s testimony: Chuck and Lynn invite us to church. Marvin “Angel” also. Farmer friend is led by God to visit father of a young man who attempted suicide. Son receives Christ.
Work with your local Bible-believing church. Be a team player. Be friendly. Be a witness by a holy lifestyle. Let people see Jesus in your life. Be a part of a team that makes disciples.
WE ARE ALL CALLED TO MINISTER Ephesians 4:11-16
v 12 AMP …[that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the church)
99 percent of all Christians are not vocational ministers.
You are called to be a witness for Christ. Acts 1:8
God has left you in this world for a purpose. Jn. 17.15
You are called to the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
If every Christian reaches one person=church doubles.
Tommy Hicks vision: Great giant shaking himself of debris and junk. Then he melts into the earth. Rivets of gold and silver flow all over the earth. It starts with your own relationship with God. Ordinary believers can do extraordinary things as they come to God and believe His Word.
LIFESTYLE EVANGELISM IS ABOUT LOVING PEOPLE
Some people’s religion makes them mean. You don’t see that in the ministry of Jesus. He forgave people and then challenged them to go and sin no more. He ate with the sinners and showed them a better way. Be nice!
“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world…” John 3:17, KJV.
Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” John 8:11, KJV.
Show mercy! That does not mean that we don’t talk about sin. The Bible says that we save some with fear. But there’s a difference between telling the truth and beating someone over the head with it. Love the people! Bless people! It opens the door to share Jesus. It’s the life you live, the kindness you show, the prayers you pray.
“…the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” Romans 2:4.
Zaccheas: Just sitting there being Jesus! Zacchaeus repents, receives salvation. Luke 19:10
Hindu woman on airplane. Wall up. Wall down. Shared the Gospel. Has anyone ever shared with you the Gospel? She said “No.” Shared Gospel and how to receive Christ.
We are called to release forgiveness to people. John 20:21-23, KJV.
You can minister out of a place of peace. Rom 5:1
By having the preparation of the Gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:15
Jesus did not hold people’s sins against them. Do that, and it will free you up to minister to them, rather than judging them. Your relationship with God can be a bridge to someone to find Jesus as their Lord and Savior. See 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
BE PREPARED TO SHARE THE GOSPEL
Be ready to give an answer to those who ask you. 1 Peter 3:15, KJV.
Study to show yourself to be approved. But don’t wait until you know the whole Bible to share Jesus. 2 Tim 2:15
Survey—most pastors thought that their people knew how to share Christ. but the survey indicated that most people in the churches did not know how to share Christ. Study the Gospel until it becomes second nature.
The Gospel is the power. Romans 1:16, KJV. Some ways to Share the Gospel:
Share your testimony
Give a tract or use a tract (Story of shopkeeper and Tom)
Invite them to church (1 out of 4 say they would come if invited)
By sharing scriptures with them (Romans Road for example) Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9-10
THE SIMPLICITY OF THE GOSPEL
1. God created everything and made man perfect and sinless Genesis 1:1, 26-28
2. Man disobeyed and invited sin and brought death into the human race. Genesis 3:1-8, Romans 5:12, Romans 3:23
3. Jesus Christ the Son of God died on a cross to pay the penalty for our sin and rose from the dead. John 3:16, John 14:6, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 5:8, Romans 6:23
4. When we repent and receive Him as the risen Lord and Savior, He forgives us, comes into our lives in by the Holy Spirit, transforms us into children of God, and gives us divine purpose. John 1:12, Romans 10:9-10, Rev. 3:20, Mark 1:15 repent and believe the Gospel.
SHARING YOUR PERSONAL STORY
The Holy Spirit empowers you to be a witness Acts 1:8, KJV.
Witness (definition)—a. One who can give a firsthand account of something seen, heard, or experienced: a witness to the accident. b. One who furnishes evidence. c. Something that serves as evidence; a sign.Your personal story is the greatest testimony to the power of the Gospel. Tell them what God has done for you. Tell them how God gave you peace, healed your marriage, delivered you from drugs. revealed His love, etc.
Return to your own house and tell people what the Lord has done. Luke 8:39-40
WAYS TO INITIATE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE LORD
Pray and tell the Lord, I’m open for business today! Be sensitive to the opportunities. Chinese woman at Chicago airport. Look for those open doors. It means God is preparing them to receive from you. Problems. Spiritual things. References to God. Medical issues. Relationship problems. Also, the leading of the Holy Spirit in you. Always be ready!
In some cases, people see something different about your life and they ask you about it. In other cases, with the help of the Lord you can guide the conversion. Pray: Lord, open the door, open their heart, open my mouth.You might ask them about their religious background. Don’t criticize their church. Tell them about Jesus. Listen to them. When you listen to them, they will be more likely to listen to you. Also, you can share with them about your life, interests, family, etc. This helps to bring the walls down. Relax! Be normal and share the Good News.
Use something to transition to a spiritual conversation. Like Jesus with the woman at the well. For me it might be what I do for a living. I will tell them, “I go all over the world telling people about how they can know that they are going to heaven.” For Susan, “Has your pastor been in to visit you?”
Identify the “felt need” in their life. either by something that they say or do or by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, This is often an “access point” to a person’s heart. Then pray for the need that is in their life. The Holy Spirit can move and God can open their heart.
Sometimes you might use the direct approach. Ask them, “Have you ever thought about where you will spend eternity?” If they say heaven, you may want to ask them why they believe that. Some people have a false assurance based on church membership, baptism, confirmation. Others may believe that everyone goes to heaven. Study these scriptures to prepare yourself. John 14:6, John 1:12, Hebrews 9:27
Do what works for you. It’s based on who you are and what Jesus means to you and what is comfortable and normal in the situation. You are unique and the person you are sharing with is unique. The Holy Spirit will help you!
Note: It’s good to be comfortable. But if you can’t be comfortable, share anyway. Edward Kimball was being led by God to share with a young shoe salesman. Finally, he very nervously shared the Gospel. The young man’s name was Dwight Moody, and he became one the greatest evangelists of modern times.
LEADING PEOPLE IN A PRAYER OF SALVATION
Ask them: Would you like to know that your sins are forgiven and that you will go to heaven when you die?
A prayer for salvation: Dear God, I have sinned and I need forgiveness. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross and rose again. Today I turn from my sin and I receive Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for forgiving me and making me your child today. I call you Father, in Jesus name. Amen. (Based on Romans 10:9-10)
Then they can be baptized in water and filled with the Holy Spirit and find a place in Christ’s body, the church. You can be a friend and help them along the way by being their friend, bringing them to church, sharing what you know about the Word of God and walking with Jesus.
PRACTICAL EXERCISE
Share your testimony with one other person. Include Jesus’ death for our sins, burial and resurrection, and lead them in a prayer of salvation.
HOMEWORK
Study and and meditate the scriptures in this lesson.
Check out the rest of the Online Believers School of Ministry.