Design your Own: Witness Wear.
Creating and Sharing your own faith story.
Girl Guards
Objective one: To compose one’s own personal faith story and then be confident to articulate one’s faith and share it in casual conversation using a uniquely created piece of jewelry.
Objective two: To create a wearable bracelet or necklace to facilitate one’s ability to share their faith.
Steps of Objective One:
1. Construct faith story (using attached faith story worksheet). In the process of composing one’s faith story/witness keep in mind that for each step you will be selecting a bead or charm to represent that piece of your own personal story. When writing your own faith story, keep in mind the end goal is to be able to tell the story of your faith in a casual conversation. It is encouraged that you use verses of scripture as much as possible. This process can help you solidify your own faith story and aid in scripture memorization as well.
2. Once your story is completed practice telling it to someone until it is familiar and easy to share.
Steps of Objective Two:
1. Select materials to construct jewelry piece. Most of these supplies can be found at an arts and crafts store such as Hobby Lobby or Michaels.
Materials needed:
-Elastic cording (length will vary depending on necklace or bracelet)
-Jewelry clasps or closures
-Jewelry spacers: It is recommended that a uniform spacer be selected for the jewelry piece such as a silver bead, crystal bead etc. This will help create uniformity for the jewelry piece and help create sections in creating and telling one’s faith story
-Individual beads for personal faith story.
The actual construction of the jewelry could be taught by a beading retail store such as Bead It! However a trip to a local arts/craft store will also have the resources to create the jewelry piece.
Faith Story Worksheet:
1. Family of Origin: Think of your family of origin. Were you born into a family of faith? Do you have brothers and sisters? Do you have a unique ethnic history? Can you see how your family of origin is part of your faith story?
Bead/Verse ideas:
Example: Baby Bead-Verse Psalm 139:14
2. Your Salvation Experience: What lead you to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? Did God use a friend, teacher, or parent to lead you to the Lord? Was there a unique situation that God used to speak to you and lead you to turn to him as your Savior?
Bead/Verse ideas:
Example: Friend Bead-Verse Proverbs 17:17a
3. GOSPEL story (this section of the jewelry piece tells the plan of Salvation that can be shared and used as a witnessing evangelism tool)-adapted from Child Evangelism Fellowship
G- God loves us. Using a heart bead with the verse I John 4:9 NIV
“This is how God showed us His love among us. He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.”
O- Only Son. Using a cross or baby bead with the verse I John 4:14 NIV
“…the Father sent His Son to be the Savior of the world.”
S- All are sinners. Using a black bead with the verse Romans 3:23 NIV
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
P- Perfect sacrifice. Using a lamb bead with the verse I Corinthians 5:7 NIV
“For Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed.”
E- Everyone can be saved. Using a globe bead with the verse John 3:16 NIV
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
L- Let Him in. Using a clear bead with the verse I John 1:9 NIV
“If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
* Other verses can be substituted for a more personal story. These are just suggestions and examples.
4. Your commitment to follow Christ:
A shoe bead to represent your daily walk with Christ: Write what it means to you to follow Christ daily.
Verse idea: Luke 9:23
A Bible bead to symbolize a commitment to reading God’s word daily. Write about the importance of reading and knowing the word of God for your life.
Verse idea: Psalm 119:105
A Church bead to symbolize a commitment to a body of believers to continue to grow your faith. Write about your church family and what they mean to you. (A shield bead could be used to symbolize the Salvation Army or Salvation Army Soldiership.)
5. Let your light shine: A candle or sunshine bead to symbolize your responsibility to share and shine your personal light in your world. What are the gifts and talents that God has given you to express your self and God’s love to your world. Write about how you feel God is leading to shine your light NOW. Be sure to include any unique circumstances that have helped you grow your faith.
Verse idea Matthew 5:14
Bead ideas: Music notes to symbolize singing or music, book beads to symbolize a desire to teach others, a heart bead to symbolize a gift to serve others. A question mark bead to symbolize even in the unknown in your future you have resolved to put your faith and trust in God.
Devotional
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”
There is a praise and worship chorus that I just love. The words say “He knows my name, He knows my every thought, He sees each tear that falls and answers when I call”…. Sometimes we need to be reminded that Jesus came to save YOU. We get used to hearing and believing that Jesus is the Savior of the world and HE CERTAINLY is but we have to also pause and remember that Jesus is MY Savior. He included me in his plan of Salvation of the world but I am not lost in the crowd to Jesus EVER. I am a one of a kind creation and I have one of a kind abilities that God will use for his purposes and plans.
When I stop to consider how God himself has been involved in my life and how he has a unique plan to grow my faith and to lead me to accomplish His purposes for me I am in awe at his love for me.
We have assurance from His word that God our heavenly Father sees us…. 2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV says “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” What does it feel like to realize that God sees me? It gives me great encouragement that God sees me and as the verse from Jeremiah says he know the plans he has for me and my future. If I believe that promises of His word (AND I DO) I can believe and know God himself has planned for my future and my future will be good and prosperous.
The work involved in this design your own activity was constructed to lead you in the process of KNOWING your own unique faith story. God sees you as an individual, He always has and always will. You have a story to tell. God loves you….Jesus died for you…..God has already planned your future……it is a beautiful story ……LIVE and TELL IT…your world needs to hear from you.
Major LeighAnn Craddock
Irving, Corps
Texas Division
Southern Territory USA