Introduction

Always Be Prepared

Years ago, I was asked to develop a program for a weekend retreat for the men of First Lawrenceville United Methodist Church, based on 1 Peter 3:15b-16a – “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”[1] The Bible study group I was a part of met for a planning weekend (some golf too) and developed an outline for ‘Always be Prepared’. This became a version of the 4-session study presented here.

It is important that we remember and understand how we came to be people of faith. This helps us know confidently that we are Christians and helps us share with others why we have hope. When this program was studied by the men of FLUMC some unexpected and wonderful things happened ‘on the mountain’. When trying to articulate how you became a Christian, some men – who had been members of the church for years or even decades - realized they had never accepted Christ as their savior; they intellectually understood the Christian faith, but it had never become their faith. Others finally began to understand the difference between a Damascus and Emmaus road experience. Still others came to the realization that although they had accepted Christ as their savior, they had never accepted Him as Lord.

Session 1 begins with a discussion of the power that flows from our personal testimony about our relationship with Jesus Christ. We look closely at the encounter between Jesus and the woman at the well, and what happened when she went back to her village and told the town’s folk what had just happened in her life.

Session 2 focuses on the imperative we are given by Peter to be prepared to talk with everyone about why we have hope; hope in our lives because of our hope in Jesus.

Session 3 examines Paul’s petition before king Agrippa where he gives the reason for his hope. He begins by telling the king how he lived his life before he came to know – and trust in – Jesus. Then he speaks of his miraculous conversion experience on the road to Damascus. Finally, he testifies to what his life was like after his encounter with Jesus. We use this model – before, how, and after – as a starting point to think about our own Christian walk. We also spend time contrasting a Damascus and Emmaus road experience.

Session 4 is dedicated to sharing and celebrating our stories. How we came to know the Lord and the impact it has made on our lives.

Rick Hutcheson

Always Be Prepared

Session One: The Power of a Testimony

  1. Open
  2. When you were growing up, what was the favorite place you and your friends – or perhaps your whole town - use to gather? What went on there? Think beyond your church!
  3. Who were the people you were told as a young person – or ‘are’ told even today - not to associate with?
  4. Keep these ideas in your head as we read the encounter of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well.
  5. Read John 4:1-26
  6. The Jewish people had been taught from birth to hate the Samaritans. How do you think Jesus’ Jewish disciples might have felt when He decided to go through Samaria on the way back to Galilee?
  7. Why do you think Jesus would risk his reputation by asking a Samaritan – and a woman at that – for a favor?
  8. How would you describe the woman’s response?
  9. When confronted with her moral failings (vs. 16-18), why do you think she changed the course of the conversation to a religious controversy (vs. 19-24)?
  10. How would you describe the power of the woman’s testimony following her encounter with Jesus (vs. 39)?
  11. Read Mark 14:53-62.
  12. Contrast the responses of the woman and residents of Sychar (John 4:39-42) to the high priest and other members of the Sanhedrin (Mark 14:61b-65) when Jesus says that he is the Messiah.
  13. Has anyone heard testimony from a Christian that has had a lasting impression? Please share how it impacted you.

Always Be Prepared

Session Two: The Hope That Lies Within Us

  1. Open: Think about your favorite scripted TV show (sitcom or drama). What are some of the adjectives you would use to describe the relationships between the characters?
  2. Read 1 Peter 3:8-12.
  3. Identify the 5 characteristics that Peter[2] implores the recipients of his letter to exhibit towards one another. 1) ______, 2) ______, 3) ______, 4) ______, 5) ______.
  4. Read 1 Peter 3:13-15a
  5. Who stands out in your mind as one who suffered for doing right?
  6. What does it mean to you to “… set apart Christ as Lord?
  7. Read 1 Peter 3:15b-16
  8. What does it mean to you to ‘always be prepared’?
  9. Have you ever been put on the defensive about your stance on a particular issue including perhaps your faith?

Always Be Prepared

Session Three: Paul’s Testimony

  1. Open: What is your earliest recollection of your church life?
  2. Read Acts 26: 1-6, 9-11. How does Paul describe his life before he experienced salvation?
  3. Read Acts 26:12-18. What are some of the characteristics of Paul’s salvation experience?
  4. Read Acts 26:19-23. How would you describe Paul’s life after his ‘Damascus road experience’ as told to King Agrippa?
  5. Read Acts 26:24-29. How does Paul’s response to both Festus and King Agrippa model Peter’s teaching about how we as Christians should share our faith with others?
  6. Read Luke 24:13-35. Contrast a ‘Damascus’ and Emmaus’ road experience.
  7. Homework assignment: Ask everyone to take time during the next week to carefully consider and write out their testimony using the format of Paul before Agrippa.

My life before I knew Jesus as Savior and Lord

How I came to know Jesus as Savior and Lord

My life with Jesus

Always Be Prepared

Session Four: My Testimony

  1. Open: How would your spouse describe your ability to remember things?
  2. What was the easiest and most difficult part of this week’s homework assignment?
  3. Remembering your life before you came to know the Lord?
  4. Pinpointing the time when you finally realized you needed a savior?
  5. Honestly describing how your life has been different since you became a Christian?
  6. Ask those who are willing to share their testimony.
  7. We often speak of Christ as our Lord and Savior. How would you describe the difference?
  8. Can you remember the time when you realized you needed Christ to be Lord of your life and not just your Savior?
  9. How did your life change after that revelation?
  10. If you’ve ever attended an old-time tent revival, you probably heard, “Can I get a witness?” Or perhaps, “Who will offer a testimony to the Lord?” How does our discussion about our personal testimony these past four weeks, contrast with offering a testimony to the Lord?
  11. “Who will offer a testimony to our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ?”
  12. And all God’s people said, “Amen, amen, and amen”

Always Be Prepared

[1] NIV

[2] Based on NIV