STEP 3 - SHARING THE GOSPEL SUCCESSFULLY - CHAPTER 18

BOLDLY SHARING JESUS SUCCESSFULLY!

YOUR CHRISTIAN LIFE GUIDED BY A DEFINITE PURPOSE

As a new or older Christian, God does a work in your heart that gives you a real clear purpose in your life, and you want to share it with those around you. Serving and sharing what happened to you were your main goals in God's kingdom. Many Christians lose that singular focus over the years as other demands and interests distract us, and we forget that single-mindedness. Sadly Christ starts to decrease over time into the background of your attention.

Professional athletes always practice, focus, and are never distracted from their real purpose and goal. It is the same for Christians, and our calling is much higher than that of an athlete. We must never be complacent to the point of just going to church and going through the motions. Usually, the first step is finding fault in others or unhappy with _______. Instead, our primary focus should be our Christian walk, and our holy calling should be clear, entirely centered on Jesus, and as the scriptures proclaim, sharing the "Good News" of the Gospel. It is not an option, He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation." (Mark 15:15.)

Today's success-driven culture wants us to seek material things for ourselves. The one thing that breaks my heart when someone you know loved Jesus for many years, but over time, drifted away and gave up on going to church and serving our Lord. Or they go through the motions of being a Christian with causing more harm than good. Do you ever ask the Lord how that can happen, God, ends up in second place or forgotten in their lives?

The Bible does not say that people abandoned religion; instead, they forsook Jesus Christ. In other words, they returned to "having a form of godliness but denying its power." (2 Timothy 3:5.) They returned back to a form of religion and beliefs. But all of it was powerless and ineffective. The real power of God is found in embracing and caring for the lost. Our purpose is simple: we are called and chosen to bear fruit. Bearing fruit is even larger than soul-winning. It is reflecting the likeness of Jesus "Christlikeness." Jesus sees the hurts and needs of people around us, and you and I need His eyes by the Holy Spirit to see the same things. This is the love of Christ for us to have eyes to see and ears to hear what God is saying, and we will love those without Christ.

Let our daily prayers be, "Holy Spirit keep us each day and help us always to have Jesus as our first love and love others by sharing the truth." But those who do share the Gospel openly for many years have a confident presence of God about them.Have you ever know anyone like that in your life and always thought I would like to be that person. Always be focussed on a passion for Christ and sharing the Gospel with others. You can have the Holy Spirit without measure to lead you in the right direction He has planned for you. Please keep your sights aimed at Jesus and that He is your prime motivation, mission, purpose, and goal for living in your Christian walk and sharing the Gospel!

Is this you? By doing these Share the Gospel study guides, the answer is YES. (Pause and Think About It.)

There is a great need for Christians to be prepared and trained in leading others to a personal relationship with Christ. Every Christian should have a complete assurance of their salvation and explain and lead others to the same confidence. If you need a refresher, check out yesterday's Chapter 17 study guide - WHAT IS THE GOSPEL IN A NUTSHELL?

From a servant's position and outlook, it is excellent. "Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever." (Daniel 12:3.) From the sinner's perspective in James 5:20, "...remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins."

CONGRATULATIONS ON WANTING TO BE A SOUL-WINNER! Let US Begin!

 

MENTAL ATTITUDES THAT DEFEAT US IN SOUL-WINNING (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Sharing our faith is among our urgent calls as followers of Jesus. Discover the heart of evangelism and exciting techniques you can utilize to help you reach others for Christ. Certain attitudes must be acquired if we are to be successful in soul-winning. Our success depends upon our perspective. We need to think right before we can become consistent soul-winners. These correct attitudes make the difference between being "duty-driven" or "love impelled." A person's attitude determines his manner of thinking, feeling, and acting. Wrong views will defeat and discourage you in the work of soul-winning.

When you hear the phrases "doing evangelism" or "sharing the Gospel," what is your response and the excuses we use? Possibly something like: "oh, that is too scary," or "only missionaries and evangelists do that," or "that is the preachers' job." Or "that's too much for me," or "I have no experience on how to share," or "I don't know any non-believers," or " I should be friends first," or "I have other obligations that seem important." Or " I share the Gospel with the way I live, and not vocally," or "I don't want to upset or force my Christianity on people," or "In the 21st-century everyone knows about God." Or "I only talk to a certain class of people only the rich or poor," or "Good works are evangelism," or "Older people are stuck in their ways," or "soul-winning is a special talent," or my favorite "I do not have the gift of the gab."

Another set of reasons has to do with obstacles and difficulties we think others will have with our sharing with them. How many times have I had these more suggestive excuses mentally in my thought process as I consider sharing the Gospel with a lost person?
"People don't want to hear about Christ." Comments from folks like, "I never talk about religion and politics," stick in my mind when I am about to share.
"People won't be responsive."
"I don't think it will work."
"They might already know the Gospel."
"People will reject me!"
"The attitude that it will not do any good to go, and I question if a non-Christian will listen and believe."
"The attitude that you should only deal with prepared hearts."
"The attitude of feeling incompetent." Some pet phrases are, "I can't," "I don't know how," "I'm too ignorant," or " I'm not knowledgeable enough in the scriptures."
"The attitude of no use in trying to winning souls unless the Holy Spirit is drawing them." As we lift up Christ, the Holy Spirit begins drawing them.
"The attitude of not feeling led to go." "Feelings" should not even enter the picture since His explicit command is "Go." We go to work or brush our teeth, whether we feel led or not. Why should we neglect God's command to win souls to our "feeling led?" It is ridiculous and warped thinking.

Here is an excellent short video on How do I overcome my fear of Evangelism?

THE ATTITUDE THAT SOUL-WINNING IS A HARD AND A FRIGHTFUL JOB.
It is only challenging and terrifying when we make it that way. Dr. R. Lee said, "Look on soul-winning as a business, not an incidental matter; like work, not play; as time well spent, not wasted; as a privilege, not a boresome duty." A teacher gave an arithmetic test to two classrooms of the same mentality and age level. She said the test would be extremely hard to one class, while the other class, she stated the test would be very easy. The class who approached it thinking that it would be hard did poorly, while the class who had been told it would be easy did markedly better. We should not look upon soul-winning as if we are doing penance. Many let their imagination run wild by picturing the prospects as laying wait for them, just delighting in insulting and running them off. Look upon soul-winning as a privilege and an honor.

Instead of thinking how powerful the Gospel is, we get into a wrongfully, hopeless, and incorrect mindset. How faithless is this type of thinking? God asks you to trust and believe His version of reality beyond what you can understand and recognize. Your situation and circumstances don't depend on your means and resources. It depends on our trust of God. "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19.)

We need to believe the truth about the "Good News" and not these cultural lies, and we need to join God as a worker in His ripe harvest. Matthew 12:34 says, "...out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." The more I love God, the more I will not have the ability to avoid speaking about Him. If I'm not sharing the "Good News," I have to evaluate where my heart is at. I need to "demystify" the "Good News" and establish a natural way of life of being open about what I love most, sharing God's love and salvation plan with those around me. Most of us are aware of that, but how do we do it? We want to start, but how? Let's get started.

THE HEART OF THE MATTER - EXPLORE, STIMULATE, AND SHARE
Let's consider these 14 steps we can choose and practice in sharing:
PRAYER, BELIEVE, ORGANIZE, RECOGNIZE, RISK, COMMITTED, STUDY, CARING, AWARE, CONFIDENCE, REMEMBER, ENGAGE, LISTEN, AND SHARE.

1. Prayer:
Omitting God out of your decision making is dangerous and leads to problems that could have been avoided. We need to pray for opportunities to share the Gospel. Ask God in prayer, and you will be amazed at the occasions and connections that will come. Prayer needs to be the initial step in all that we do as children of God. Prayer provides us with insight, courage, and wisdom since God currently understands where we require to be, who we need to speak with, and what we need to answer. Ask God to guide you in who to see and when and what to say. God can likewise open your eyes to openings you might not even notice. Prayer is not simply a one-time thing that we do; however, it should be a continuous conversation between you and God. Pray before you start speaking with that friend or stranger, throughout your discussion, and after. Offer it to God, listen to the Holy Spirit, and then obey.
2. Believe:
Trust that this is our role as a Christian to share the Gospel with others. If not any, maybe or someday, it is today. Start today!
3. Organize:
Plan to build relationships with non-Christians. We make time for less important things, arrange time and opportunities to share.
4. Recognize:
Know your duty to share the "Good News." It is our Christian obligation and heritage to do so.
5. Run The Risk:
Get out of our comfort zone even when we do not know the response. Start small by befriending someone and looking for opportunities to share.
6. Be Committed:
Be faithful and obedient in sharing and not so concerned about people's responses. We can be too polite not to upset people.
7. Study:
Be prepared and equipped to share your testimony and knowing the Gospel message when opportunities come. When we lack confidence or ill-equipped, we neglect to share. Plan, prepare, and make time, and God will honor that commitment! By the way, congratulations on doing a study guide on how to share the Gospel. You are on your way to life-changing experiences. Are you excited?
8. Caring For People:
Why do we share the Gospel? Because we love and care for people. It is so easy to have distorted self-love or one side love for the lost. If we care about those around us more, we will share the "Good News," more. As Christians, we are called to be compassionate and caring people. The love of God needs to be in our lives. (1 John 4: 7-21) (Think About It!)
9. Attentive, Aware, And Alert:
We have to be conscientious, watchful, and open our eyes for opportunities to share. Even if we are busy, inconvenienced, or put on the spot. If you are like me, it is easier to be selfish when it is inconvenient and, in some cases, very time-consuming.
10. Confidence:
Stop living in fear that we do not know anything or do not have all the answers. Stop trying to do the Holy Spirit's work. Proclaim the Gospel to others and leave the results with God.
11. Remember:
Acknowledge, keep in mind, and take into account the high-cost Christ has done for us. If not, our hearts can grow colder, our minds less interested in God's things, and our voice goes silent in sharing.
12. Engage:
How frequently do you cross courses with strangers daily and never state a word to them? In some cases, all it takes is a friendly "hey there" and somebody is sharing their life story with you. Some people are just waiting for somebody to really see them and start a conversation. The perfect example of engaging with a person is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus in John 4:1-42 started a discussion with the most not likely woman at the well, and from that, she was changed and turned into one of the most effective evangelists. We are called to step beyond our comfort zone and engage people in conversation, even if it is the last individual we want to speak with.
13. Listen:
Theodore Roosevelt once said, "Nobody cares just how much you know, till they understand just how much you care." Among the very best methods to reveal to someone you actually care about is to put in the time to listen to their story. Everybody has a story, and comprehending what somebody is going through assists you to be wise about how to best present the Gospel to them. The Bible states that Jesus was a friend of sinners. He showed us what it means to genuinely be a friend of sinners even unto death. When you meet someone new, listen more than you speak no matter what the situation is. Ask questions about them and let them talk about themselves. Be a good listener and encourage them to talk about their issues.
14. Share:
After praying, engaging, listening, and making the person comfortable, share your testimony and the Gospel. What needs did you hear when you were listening to their story? Do they need a friend? Genuinely comprehend who they are, have compassion, and then share that God is everything they need and pray with them. He is the great physician, and He is a friend. He is love and joy.

You will require the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and passion for the lost and hurting. Sharing is not as frightening as it might appear; it is genuinely an overflow of God's love in us. "When a man is filled with the Word of God, you can not keep him still if a man has got the Word, he must speak or die." ~ Dwight L. Moody.

First, Start and Keep and Enjoy Good Habits. Each day we make choices. We can choose to binge watch TV or to have a burger, fries, and pop and and in my case, gain another pound. Or we can fix a healthy meal, exercise, and spend time in God's Word and gain spiritual weight by the Holy Spirit. Whatever choice we make will reinforce a habit, and that behavior forms the basis of our daily routine. Change our habits, and you can change your life.
(Pause, Think, Consider, and Reflect!)

Here is an excellent short video on starting the conversation using EXPLORE, STIMULATE, AND SHARE.
ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQvzOSHUkIo.
SUMMARY OF THE ABOVE VIDEO
1. EXPLORE A PERSON'S LIFE
a. By observing.
b. By asking a lot of questions and being a good listener.
2. STIMULATE
Find an open door to their answers to bring up spiritual things. Call it Bridges to the Gospel. Bridging from everyday conversation to the Gospel. Asking has anyone ever share with you how the Bible teaches how we become a true Christian, a true follower?
Or In your personal opinion, what do you think makes a person a Christian? It helps to identify what they believe and that usually provided a base for further conversation.
3. SHARE
Your testimony and the "Good News."

What Is Your Burning Desire?
We all should have a burning desire so ignited by God that we will have no struggle igniting our tongue and speech. As Jesus said, "... For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of." (Matt. 12:34.)
How urgent and significant is it for us to share the Gospel easily and continuously with the salvation message pouring out of our mouths? ________
What does that suggest about our being in love with God? ________
For that making a difference, why should we so love God? ________
That brings us to examine, study, and reflect on God's message, specifically, what we want to share with others? ________
What is it that would light a fire in our hearts? ________

ANSWERS:
Getting to know Jesus intimately, forsaking any hidden sin, submitting to the Holy Spirit, and then seeing God's holy vision for our lives come to pass in our life. That's what we want to consider. (Pause, Think, and Reflect!)

 

For the next few study guides, we will look at different creative approaches to sharing the Gospel message: using quick and in-depth methods, tracts, asking questions, and visual demonstrations of the Gospel.

STEPS TO PEACE WITH GOD

RECOMMEND DOWNLOADING AND PRINTING STEPS TO PEACE WITH GOD PDF HERE.
Use this PDF in explaining and handing out the Gospel message tract to those that are searching.