I-Your Story

 Every learner will be able to:

 Explain the four calls of a Christian to share the gospel.

 Share the gospel with others.

 Write and share their story with others.

 Identify friends, family members with whom they will share their story.

As a Christian, you are a child of God and a member of God‘s family. You have the assurance of salvation. You can pray directly to God, have fellowship with Him, and spend devotional time with Him at any time. You are a member of His church, a blessed person. The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) calls you to spread the gospel and teach others to obey all of God‘s ways. Every believer, every member of the body of Christ, is to help cause the growth and building up of the church, the body of Christ. We are all called to share the good news of salvation: The Gospel!

There are four types of calls to share the Gospel:

1. Call from above, the commandment of the Lord Jesus. Mark 16:15 ―Go into all the world and preach the Good News to all creation.‖
2. Call from hell; rich man‘s plea to share the Gospel with his family: Luke 16:27-28.
3. Call from inside; Paul was under compulsion to spread the Gospel. 1 Corinthians 9:16-17 ―I am compelled to preach.‖
4. Call from outside; Paul heard the call from Macedonia to come. Acts 16:9 ―come over to Macedonia and help us.‖

Today each Christian should listen to the calls in their life and respond to the leading and conviction of God immediately.

Imagine there is a disease that is incurable. Everyday on billboards you see advertisements about the hopelessness of this 7

disease. Statistics about orphans and widows are alarming. Now imagine that someone developed a cure for this disease and chose not to give it to all people. What will the affected and infected people think of this person? Thank God we have the Cure! It is Jesus!

We should not only lead people to become Christ followers, but also to become disciple who disciples others. In this way you can rapidly spread the Gospel message. However, most Christians think it is the job of only professional ministers to proclaim the Gospel. Most Christians consider ―evangelism‖ to be inviting people to church, hoping the pastor will convince them to give their lives to Christ. This is not the case! Every believer should regularly experience the immense joy of sharing the love of God with others. Helping bring others into a life giving relationship with Jesus is the call of every disciple!

2 Timothy 2:2 ―the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.‖

Every Christ follower should start a new group, sharing the gospel with his/her neighbors, friends, and family. God will greatly bless and use such a life. You should immediately respond to God and your life will be a blessing by: leading people to believe in the Lord, and enabling them to lead others to Christ (Eph. 1:5-6; 4).

Many Christians do not share the Gospel for THREE MAIN REASONS.

1. They are afraid! Read Matt. 28:19-20. The one with all authority in Heaven and on Earth is with us and promises to never leave us as we make disciples in obedience to his command.
2. They do not know with whom to share the Gospel.

 Pray for God to give you wisdom and bring to mind the people with whom you should witness. These are most likely people you see on a regular basis, and have a personal relationship with.

 On the next page:

List the names of all family members, relatives, neighbors, friends, colleagues, and classmates that God brings to your mind that have not come to Christ.

 Prioritize them in groups of 5 (preferably in groups that are related or people who know each other already…to begin, start with at least 24 names).

3. They do not know how to share the Gospel.

 First, ask the Holy Spirit to empower you: to love God, to love others; to lead and guide your life and ministry (Rom. 8:9-11; Eph. 3:16, 5:18; Gal. 5:16).

 Write your testimony (only 2-3 minutes long) on how you came to put your faith and hope in Christ.

 Adjust it until it is clear and easy to understand.

 Everyone tell their testimony to another participant and ask for feedback. Adjust accordingly.

 Repeat this process until everyone is clear and confident.

The basic form of a testimony:

First, show genuine interest and concern for others. Pray for them and care for them. Then share:

 How I lived and what my life was like before I believed in Jesus. (If you came to Jesus at an early age start with how you came to know Him.

 How I came to know Jesus (Or how I recommitted or rededicated to an earlier decision).

 How my life has changed after I believed. The ultimate message: ―Knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior changed my life!‖

Action for the week:

 Today do one thing – Go and see someone on your list and share with him or her your story.

 During the week – give your testimony to five people on your list. Tell them. Don‘t ask them.

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My List I commit to praying for and witnessing to:

1. ________________
2. ________________
3. ________________
4. ________________
5. ________________
6. ________________
7. ________________
8. ________________
9. ________________
10. ________________
11. ________________
12. ________________
13. ________________
14. ________________
15. ________________
16. ________________
17. ________________
18. ________________
19. ________________
20. ________________
21. ________________
22. ________________
23. ________________
24. ________________

 

For Further Study this week:

 According to 1 Peter 3:15-16, what should you always be ready to do?

o Why do you think this conversation started?

o What preparations must you do to be ready?

 Look at 1 Corinthians 2:1-5:

o From verse 1, what was NOT included in his testimony? How does that look today?

o How complex was his doctrinal statements?

o How should that affect our discussions with others?

o What power was he referring to in verses 4-5? How does that look today in your story?

 

Now that you have prepared your story, Go and Tell!

Leave the results to God!