I Want to Tell the Story

By Helga Danielson

PIt’s a mistake

PI’m not qualified

PI don’t know what tosay!

Who Me?

I want to tell the Story Of Unseen things above,Of Jesus and His glory, Of Jesus and His love.I love to tell the story,

Because I know it’s true;It satisfies my longings

as nothing else would do.

I Want to Tell the Story

I want to tell the story;‘Twill be my theme in glory

To tell the old, old storyOf Jesus and His love.

I want to tell the story,‘Tis pleasant to repeat

What seems, each time I tell it, More wonderfully sweet.

I want to tell the story,For some have never heardThe message of salvation

From God’s own holy Word.

I want to tell the story; ‘Twill be my theme in glory

To tell the old, old storyOf Jesus and His love.

I want to tell the story,For those who know it best

Seem hungering and thirstingTo hear it like the rest.

And when in scenes of gloryI sing the new, new, song,Twill be the old, old storyThat I have loved so long.

I want to tell the story;Twill be my theme in glory

To tell the old, old storyOf Jesus and His love.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for thisopportunity to be together. We thankyou for sending your Son to forgive

our sins and to give us eternal life. Bewith us today and help us to learn

more about sharing our faith.

Let’s Pray Together

Give us boldness and courage tospeak out, knowing that You are withus and will give us the words. Forgiveus for the many opportunities wherewe have failed to speak of you and

have remained silent. In Jesus name we pray,

Amen.

P “Not an Expert” www.bluefishtv.com

Video Clip

PWho we are, our purpose, our response

PDevelop a personal mission statement

PRoadblocks to sharing our faith

PSteps to help share our faith

PScenarios

PSharing of ideas

Goals for Today

PJeremiah 1:5

PGod knew you before your parents did.

P1 Peter 2:9

P In Baptism you became part of God’s family.

PEach of us has a different walk in life.

Who are You?

PYou are the special, one of a kind individualwired with your unique temperament, blessedwith your gifts and abilities, because Godwants someone like you to be in this worldwhere you are right now to accomplish Hispurpose!

Ultimately, Who are YOU?

P1 Peter 2:9b-10

PWe are created for God’s glory that we maydeclare His praises.

What is your Purpose?

To share the good News of what Jesus hasdone for us on the cross.

P1. Out of obedience. Matthew 28:19-20;Acts1:8; John 20:21

P2. Out of gratitude for what our Lord hasdone for us. 2 Corinthians 5:14; Acts 4:20

What is our Response?

Write

PWhat you believe God wants you to do in yourmission for Him.

PBe short, concise; 25 words

P Incorporate your personal strengths, your currentrole, or part of a Bible verse.

P It can be a courageous statement of faith andtrust in God.

P It is personal and unique to you; it may changeas your life changes.

Personal Mission Statement

Taken from:’Developing a Personal Mission Statement’ ILWMLMarilyn Bader 1995 #7330

P To help teens and children grow in the Lord andhelp them deal with the pressures in their lives ina Christian way.

P To so live my life that others will see my faith andbe led to the Saviour through me.

P To actively seek opportunities to share my faithin Jesus with others.

P The love of Christ compels me to reach out tothose around me and share my faith by how I liveand what I say and do.(mine)

Sample Mission Statements

Roadblocks to Sharing Our Faith

1.“I don’t know what to say..”

PJeremiah 1:7 ‘Do not say I am only a child. You must go to everyone I send you to andsay whatever I command you.’

PExodus 4:12 ‘Now go: I will help you speakand will teach you what to say.’

PLuke 21:14,15 ‘but make up your mind not toworry beforehand how you will defendyourselves, for I will give you the words andthe wisdom that none of your adversaries willbe able to resist of contradict.’

PLess effective

PFalls into ‘sales department’

PTries to ‘sell’ Jesus

PDepends on memorized lines

PKeep your natural style, don’t imitatesomeone else

PBe your unique special YOU

Technique and Strategy

PPaul - intellectual approach

PJesus - interpersonal style

PSamaritan woman - invitational approach

PDorcas - serving style

PLee Strobel - testimonial approach

Styles to Share our Faith

PThe Holy Spirit gives us the words.

PHe also tongue ties us.

PPray and ask for God’s guidance.

PLeave the outcome to Him.

PGod is glorified in our weakness andinadequacies.

2. ‘I don’t know enough; I’m nottrained.

P47% of people came to faith becausesomeone shared the gospel with them. Thiswas the #1 reason, no other came close!

P86% came to church because friends orrelatives brought them.

P6% came from an organized evangelisticoutreach

P6% came from the pastors invitation. Pastors have a difficult time since they areseen as sales people for Jesus.

(Taken from Living the Mission, ILWML Project Grand, andboard for Evangelism Services LCMS)

In the book of Acts

P5 different times

PPeter and Paul bring up the same 4 concepts

PUse different words and approaches

PClearly focused

Sharing our Faith

Use your own style

PRainbow of Salvation

PRoman Road

PYour own ‘remembrance’

Sharing our Faith

The Message we share is:

P#1. The Problem: I am a sinner and deserveto die eternally for my sins.

P#2. The Answer: Jesus, God’s Son becameyour substitute, living the perfect life that Godrequires of you, and then took thepunishment that you deserve for your sins onthe cross.

Sharing our Faith

The Message we share is:

P#3. God’s gift, Faith: Repentance, turningfrom your sin, to the forgiveness you have inChrist. In God’s gift of faith you receive the forgiveness of sins and eternal life in Heaven.

P#4. The Result: You now have the forgivenessof sins and are freed from guilt. You havepeace with God. You have the assurance ofeternal life in heaven; you have hope and afuture and can live your life to the fullest.

P

Sharing our Faith

PWe do not need to give the ‘whole load’ atone time.

PDo not have to know all the answers.

PPeople accept the fact that you cannot knoweverything.

PBe ‘real’.

Sharing our Faith

3. Satan

PThe enemy; hits at our weakest.

PDo not underestimate him.

PWe have the Holy Spirit’s power to conquerhim.

PDo not ‘label’ people.

PDo not avoid people.

PLearn from Jesus-woman at the well.

PRemember we too are sinners

PDo not let your ‘fears’ control you.

PGod uses us despite our fears, inadequaciesand lack of knowledge.

PHe is glorified in our weakness.

P ‘My grace is sufficient for you for my power ismade perfect in weakness...for when I amweak then am I strong’. 1 Corinthians 12:9,10

PDon’t talk to someoneabout God until you’vetalked to God about ‘thatsomeone’.

PPrayer & sharing your faithgo hand in hand.

PPray for wisdom andcourage.

Prayer

P ‘What you do speaks so loudly I cannot hearwhat you are saying’.

POur words need to mirror our actions.

PWe need to be genuine.

PBeing a Christian does not mean we never fail.

PWe admit our failures and ask forgiveness.

PWhat makes a Christian different is what theydo when they ‘mess up’.

Our lives are the first Biblepeople will ever read

Taken from ‘Just Walk Across the Room’, Bill Hybels, 2006, Zondervan,Grand Rapids Michigan.

PDevelop Friendships (relationships)

PDiscover Stories

PDiscern appropriate Steps

Sharing our Faith‘Living in 3D’

P ‘People don’t care how much you know tillthey know how much you care’. FloydMcClung

P Every time you talk to someone you arebuilding a relationship.

P Building relationships pushes us out of ourcomfort zone.

P Every relationship is different.

Develop friendships; BuildRelationships

PSee people as Jesus does- one for whom Hedied.

P ‘There but for the grace of God go I’.(John Bradford)

P Inside each person is ‘hidden potential’.

PCountless lives have been transformedbecause of Jesus.

PLet the person know you care and Godcares.

Find out about that person

PDo they have a family; where do they work?

PThis is risk taking.

PSharing stories helps find a common ground.

PEnables you to find an opportunity to askquestions.

Discover Stories

PListen to the Holy Spirit’s prompting.

PLook for open opportunities to share.

PAsk more thought provoking quesions.

PQuestions help direct the conversation tomore depth.

PBe genuinely interested and listen!

PCan reflect back what you heard.

Discern Next Steps

Taken from ‘Living the Mission’, ILWML 1991 Project Grand and board for EvangelismServices, page 21.

PConcerned Question: the more I know youand listen to you, I’m wondering if you areconcerned about something. Can we talkabout it?

PPilgrimage Question: at what point do yousee yourself in your own spiritual life’sjourney?

P Identity Quesion: who do you see God tobe, and how do you see yourself before Him?

Sample Questions

PChristian Question: Do you consideryourself to be a Christian? How does aperson become a Christian?

PNeeds Question: It sounds like you arefacing some real needs, and you probablyhave a lot you could talk about. Would youlike to?

PFeeling Question: How do you feel aboutGod and the church at this time in your life?

P Interest Question: Would you like to knowmore about God? Would you like to knowsome Biblical truths or about our church?

Taken from Just walk across the Room by Bill Hybels, 2002, zondervan,Grand Rapids, Mi.

PWhy do you think there are so many religionsin the world?

PDo you think it’s possible for anyone to reallyknow if there is a God?

PWhat do you think are the most commonmisconceptions people have about God?

PDo you think there’s really such a thing as‘unconditional’ love?

Other sample Questions

PHow has your belief ordisbelief in God affected yourlife?

PDo you believe God is activelyinvolved in our world?

P Is there such a thing as‘destiny’?

PWhat do you hope is trueabout God?

PAdjust questions to fit your style andsituation.

PMake up your own.

PBe patient.

PAllow the person to ask, ponder, think, orcontradict.

Remember

PVerbalize that you care about the person

PDo not assume they know that.

POffer your help.

POffer to pray (and then do it).

PLet them know that God cares about them.

PShare in whatever form you feel comfortable.

Sharing your Faith

Is expressed according to people’s needs:

PTo the grieving sisters it was resurrection andlife for Lazarus. (John 11:1-44)

PTo the ostracized leper it was healing,cleansing, and being accepted by God (Luke5:12-13)

PTo the inquiring Nicodemus it was answersand the promise of rebirth (John 3:1-21)

PFor the thief on the cross & the adulteress iswas forgiveness (Luke 7:36-50; 23:39-43)

The Good News of Christ

PFor the samaritan woman living apromiscuous lifestyle it was ‘life giving water’through Jesus (John 4:5-42).

PTo the dnying & repentant Peter it wasrestoration (Luke 22:54-62; John 21:15-19).

PTo the dishonest, thieving tax collectorMatthew, it was a new beginning andfriendship (Matt. 9:9-13).

PTot the ill & weak it was healing (Mark 1:32-34).

PShare one of the previous stories or one thatmeets the person’s needs.

PPick an appropriate Bible passage.

PShare an experience when God hascomforted you.

PClearly point the person to Jesus.

PYour church is an extension of God’s care.

PEncourage them to come and grow in faith.

PAs people come to faith they need to keepgrowing.

Sharing Your Faith

POur message is not that we have italtogether, but we know who does (Jesus).

PPeople are turned off by religious superiority.

PExpose the Gospel; don’t impose it.

PGod calls us to do our best.

PThe Holy Spirit brings a person to faith.

PRelax when sharing your faith.

Some thoughts as we take risks in developingrelationships and sharing our faith

PTalk in the same manner to non-Christiansas to Christians.

PUse plain language not ‘religionese’.

PHelp people be interested in the Gospel.

PAsk leading questions; do not be defensive.

PShare your faith confidently; do not be wishy-washy.

PYour negative feelings are conveyed.

POffending people is rarely a problem if youare sensitive enough to realize this.

PThe more open we are with our weaknessesthe more real Jesus becomes to ourlisteners.

P If we do not accept our humanness, we loseour authentic contact with the world.

PThe world is not as fragile as we think.

PSaying ‘something’ is better than sayingnothing at all.

Taken from Faith Talk, ILWML, 2010 Use these as a guide, or make up your own.

PWe know God has a special plan for youhere.

PGod continues to give me strength.

PGod has given you the gift of listening.

P I am so excited that Jesus’ birthday iscoming soon.

PThe Bible has been my source of wisdomand comfort.

Faith Flags

PGod’s protection during the storm was soevident.

PGod has blessed you with a beautiful baby.

PSounds like you have been through manychallenges. May I add you to my prayer list?

P Isn’t it great that God made us all different?

PJesus is the centre of our life.

PSometimes it is hard for me to rememberthat God is never late with blessings.

PWhat a beautiful day God has given us.

PLook at that sunset. Isn’t God a marvelousartist?

PThanks for your help. I pray all went well.

Scenario Time

PFirst impressions are lasting impressions.

POnly one chance to make a first impression.

P In the first 10 minutes an impression ismade.

PTreat a guest like you would a visitor to yourhome.

POffer to sit with them

Sharing my faith with guests at church

P If you are near a guest, turn around and helpthem with the hymnbook, folder etc.

POrientate them to the washroom, and familyroom.

P Introduce them to others.

P Invite them not only to worship services butto other activities as well.

How do YOU make a guestfeel welcome at YOUR

church?

In your apartment, on your block, in your neighbourhood.

PDon’t wait for someone else to do something.

PBring by a baked treat or brochure aboutyour community.

P Invite and offer to bring them to a worshipservice or an event happening in yourchurch.

Sharing my faith with newpeople in the community

How do YOU reach out tonewcomers in YOUR

community?

PPeople who have drifted from the faithsearching for answers.

PTake a genuine interest in them.

PAnswer their questions.

PGive them room and space.

PLet them see that they are precious souls forwhom Christ died.

How do you reach out toInquirers?

PKeep on listening,caring and living aChristian lifestyle.

PWear a Christian symbol.

PLet them know they can ask questions orshare concerns with you.

PBe a souce of encouragement.

Other ways to share yourfaith

Faith Candies

Always Carry ThreeCrosses

PHand out Christian tract with the candy

PHave a Christian carved pumpkin

Hallowe’en

Before Your Birthday

I Love to tell the story, Of unseen things aboveOf Jesus and His glory, Of Jesus and His love.I love to tell the story,

Because I know it’s true;It satisfies my longings

As nothing else would do.

I Love to Tell the Story

I love to tell the Story,‘Twill be my theme in glory

To tell the old, old storyOf Jesus and His love.

The End