GRAN IDEA
We are designed to share our faith stories with others.
LECTURA
1 Pet. 3:15–16
PENSAMIENTOS
The decision you made to follow Jesus and the changes you see in your life are not to be kept secret. It’s good news that oth- ers need to know (John 1:35–51).
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the promised one from God …” John 1:40–41
Are there people in your circle of influence you can invite to follow Jesus? Start by making a list of people you can pray for, share your story with, and invest in for the next year.
As you share your story with family, friends, neighbours, and coworkers, you’ll help them understand the change that’s happening in your life. You don’t have to try to convince them. Simply share your story. No one has a story like yours.
I pray that you would be active in sharing your faith so that you might understand all the good things we have in Jesus. Philem. 1:6
Words
Share who you were before Jesus, how you came to follow Jesus, and what Jesus has done for you. Be authentic, as life isn’t perfect. Be transparent about your struggles. Be real about the strength that God gives you each day. Sometimes preparing this ahead of time will prepare you for moments that come up. Write out your story in three easy points.
Life before Jesus:
____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________
How you came to faith:
____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________
What has changed in your life:
____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________
Oración
As you ask God each day for opportunities to share your faith, He will bring them to you. You can also pray for boldness and courage over any fear (Acts 4:23–31).
Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about Jesus. Col. 4:3.
Actions
Part of sharing your faith is living your faith. As your words, character, and habits change, people will begin to ask questions. What areas of your life take away from your story? These areas can be the ones you start to pray about, asking God to help you change and take steps to do something.
… let your good deeds shine out for all to see so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matt. 5:16
Rejection
Not everyone will like the faith that you’ve chosen. As you are open about your new life, some of your friendships and relation- ships may be affected. You may be rejected and feel all alone. Therefore, it’s important to belong to a community of faith who, like you, also have friends who may have dismissed them (Matt. 5:10–12; John 15:18–25).
Big Picture
As you share your faith, you join God in His mission of changing the world one invitation at a time. As individuals follow Jesus, they begin the journey of experiencing who they were created
to be. As we do this, the world becomes a better place (2 Cor. 5:11–21; Eph. 1).
Debate
- Who are the people in your life who don’t know your story?
- Do you struggle with fear in sharing your story?