“Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD.”
Psalm 40:3 (NLT) Because of Jesus, you can have your past forgiven, have a purpose for living, and have a home in heaven. Telling others about this hope you have in Jesus is the most loving thing you can do. Jesus said, “Wherever you go in the world, tell everyone the Good News” (Mark 16:15 GW). Have you ever led someone to faith in Christ? Whether it’s someone in your neighborhood, at the office, or in your own family, bringing someone into the family of God is the greatest thing you can do. If you’re not sure how to share the hope you have in Jesus, here are six practical steps to get you started. Live it. Long before you talk about your faith, you should live it. The Bible says in 1 Peter 2:12, “Live properly among your unbelieving neighbors . . . They will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God” (NLT). If people like what they see in you, they are more likely to listen to what you say. Learn it. You could know about the hope that is in you and still have a hard time expressing it. But 1 Peter 3:15-16 says, “Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect” (GNT). As people see something different about your life, you need to be ready when they ask, “Why do you live the way you do?” And then you share “with gentleness and respect.” Apologize for not sharing sooner. There may be people in your life you’ve known for 10, 20, or even 30 years. How do you break the ice and talk about Jesus with people you’ve known for a long time? You apologize and say, “You’ve been a good friend for a long time, but for some reason, I haven’t told you about the most important thing in my life. I’m sorry. I wish I had told you sooner.” You’ve known them long enough to know you don’t want to spend eternity without them. Listen first. Every person on this planet has a deep hunger to be heard, to be understood, and to have their feelings validated. Proverbs 18:13 says, “Listen before you answer” (GNT). Your ear is a great tool for showing love to someone. When you listen to another person, you can find the key to their heart. Share your stories. Notice “stories,” not “story.” Why? Because you have many stories, or testimonies. A lot of people think they only have one testimony—the testimony of how they came to Christ. But has God ever helped you with a financial, relational, or health problem? You have hundreds of powerful testimonies that can point people to Jesus. Bring people to worship. One of the best ways you can share the Good News is to bring people to church. As they walk into a service, they will see many believers coming together, worshiping God, and believing the same thing. Acts 2:47 says, “At the same time, they praised God and had the good will of all the people. Every day the Lord saved people, and they were added to the group” (GW). Most people don’t know about the hope that Jesus Christ gives, and so they are spiritually empty. What step can you take today to bring someone into the family of God?
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