Just for Thought
Ideas for faith flags: ___________________________________________
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Ideas for faith stories: _________________________________________
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Ideas for my personal salvation testimony: ________________________
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The Big Challenge
Plan to share faith flags and faith stories this week. If the opportunity doesn’t arise with someone on our Impact List, then ask another believer if you can share a faith story with them for practice. It will encourage them as well.
For more help, use the “Developing Your Story” Worksheet at ewestwood.org/groups and also distributed in group meetings.
Homework
1. Read chapter 10 in Going Public with your Faith.
2. Visit ewestwood.org/groups. Sign up for “Going Public Devotional.”
3. Continue memorizing Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but
the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Answers - Blanks from “Truths to Remember” on opposite side:
1. more 2. next step 3. discern 4. wanting more
Small Group Learner Notes
Going Public…
One Step at a Time
Student Page for ABS & Home Groups
Week 3 September 6-11 Based on Chapters 6 & 9
ewestwood.org/groups
Starting Point
“Stories speak to the emotions first, often bypassing prejudices. Stories seize the imagination. They are some of the greatest resources we have. Stories give a person an experiential view of the truth through the window of your life.” People can argue or disagree with the Gospel or the truth of the Bible, but they can’t argue with a personal testimony.
Some of us are better at explaining things than others. Have you ever met someone who was gifted in this way? What did they do that was different? How would you describe their verbal and nonverbal communication?
Scripture
1 John 1:3
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
Colossians 4:3
And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
1 Peter 3:15b
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
See also Acts 26:13-14 (Paul’s full story is in Acts 26:1-23)
Focus
Quotes are from Going Public with Your Faith
Without relationship or touching the heart first, people we share the gospel with often feel that we are arrogant and condescending. One way to touch the heart is through sharing our personal stories of faith.
Just as a flag helps you recognize the nationality of a ship, a faith flag helps a person recognize you as someone to whom faith, the Bible, prayer, and God is important. This will help you gauge their level of interest in spiritual matters.
A faith flag should fit into normal conversation and take no longer than 20 seconds to share. Don’t identify yourself as a member of a particular church or denomination. See the “Developing Your Story” Worksheet for suggestions in writing your flags, stories & testimony. Find it at ewestwood.org/groups. Find examples in the text on pages 89-90.
A faith story is a narrative story about how God or a biblical principle became real to you. It communicates that God is at work and making a meaningful difference in your life. Examples are in the book on pages 94-96. Warning: Attributing everything to God sounds like false humility to a non-believer. Also be careful with insider language that nonbelievers are not familiar with. Work to be honest and authentic in your story.
Personal Testimonies are significant because they communicate how you came to faith in Christ. Your testimony should include enough information (the Gospel) for the nonbeliever to know how they too can follow Christ. A good example is Paul’s story of conversion in Acts 26. Include a brief introduction (vv. 2-3), your life before Christ (vv. 4-11), how you met Jesus (vv 12-18), and your life now (vv 19-22).
Humans have an innate desire to prove ourselves worthy that translates to their perceived nature of Christianity. Many view religion largely in terms of what adherents are supposed to do, and they have never considered the possibility of a personal relationship with Christ. The key distinction with Christianity and other faiths is “do vs. done.” True relationship is not based on what we do for God, but what He has done for us. A relationship with God is not a purchase; it’s not earned. It’s a response to a free gift.
Truths to Remember
1. Less is usually ________ in your speech. We should learn to say less about our faith and accomplish more by using life stories that relate.
2. Our first goal is to consistently join people where God is at work in their lives and to help them take the _________ _____________ in their journeys toward faith.
3. By talking to people about faith we can ____________ when we are ready to move from the cultivation phase (faith flags and stories) to the sowing phase (sharing the gospel—our salvation testimony).
4. Intriguing people with a little truth that leaves them ____________ _____________ is better than overpowering them with more than they can process.
Questions for Discussion
1. More and more people are “biblically illiterate” in today’s society. What are the challenges of sharing your faith with them? How do you overcome those challenges?
2. The book advised us not to identify ourselves as a member of a particular church or denomination. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
3. Sometimes, when we speak to people about spiritual things, they sometimes assume we’re talking about additional obligations and oppressive responsibilities to an authoritarian institution. Do you find this to be the case in your workplace or community?
4. It was suggested to avoid the temptation of unloading the spiritual dump truck on people as soon as they express even a pinch of spiritual interest. Have you ever done this? What was the result?
5. Walking through the “Open Door” sounds easy, but if it were that easy, there would be much more going on in our communities with regard to evangelism. What do you feel is the most complicated or most challenging aspect of walking through that “Open Door?”