Large Group #2: How to Share Your Faith

Hey everyone. Long time no see. It's been over a month since we posted--that was completely my fault, I should've arranged my time better. Anyway, this Monday, Tim shared about how we can share the Gospel with others. We had a lot of discussion, but I've included below only Tim's notes. It goes over some common reasons why many Christians are afraid of sharing their faith, then refutes them, then goes over basics of what we ought to know if, and when, we share our faith with others.

So, feel free to read on. I hope we can all share the Gospel with those we care about :)




Video: Eight Reasons Why I Don’t Share My Faith
8) I might get beat up.
7) I won’t make any sense.
6) I might get made fun of.
5) I don’t know how to get started.
4) I’ll be a bad witness.
3) I might say the wrong thing.
2) I don’t want people to think I’m a religious nut.
1) I don’t know enough.

Which of these reasons apply to you?
Spurgeon - “Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself; be sure of that!”

2, 6, 8) We often care a lot about what other people will think of us when they find out that we are Christians. But when Peter was called before the Sanhedrin and told to stop preaching about Jesus, he answered, “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)
4) If you have an ongoing pattern of sin in your life, then you need to repent. Don’t let it continue as an excuse.
1) In John 4, the woman at the well becomes an evangelist immediately after meeting Jesus. You don’t need to know very much.
3) We can take heart that salvation depends on God and not on us. We will never be guilty of “sending someone to hell.”
5, 7) That’s why we’re here tonight: to study what the gospel means and how to share it effectively, in a way that makes sense.

What is the gospel?
Christ died for our sins and was raised to life (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

But there’s a problem. Very few unbelievers will understand what this means. So we must be prepared to explain it.

First, what is sin?
Answer: Sin is breaking God’s law (1 John 3:4).
The most succinct expression of God’s law is found in the Ten Commandments. Every Christian should learn these by heart.
1) You shall have only one God.
2) You shall not bow down to any idols.
3) Do not misuse God’s name.
4) Remember the Sabbath.
5) Honor your father and mother.
6) Do not murder.
7) Do not commit adultery.
8) Do not steal.
9) Do not bear false witness.
10) Do not covet.

The law brings us understanding of our sin (Romans 3:20). When we understand our sin in this way, it increases the magnitude of our guilt (Romans 5:20). Therefore, it is not only appropriate, but even necessary, to tell someone how they have broken God’s law to bring them to Christ. You may even ask them, “Have you ever lied? Have you ever stolen or coveted anything? Have you misused God’s name?” Also, keep in mind Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount. Not only our actions, but even our thoughts and attitudes will be judged by God. Hatred makes us just as guilty as committing murder (Matthew 5:22); lust makes us just as guilty as committing adultery (Matthew 5:28).

When we preach the law in this way, a sinner’s heart will twist and squirm and rebel against God’s standard. But we have two allies. The first of these is the conscience. God has written his law on our hearts, so that our consciences will bear witness that it is true (Romans 2:15). The second of these is the Holy Spirit. One of his missions is to convict the world of sin (John 16:8).

Because all of us have broken God’s law (Romans 3:23), we deserve death (Romans 6:23). Even if we stumble at only one point, we are just as guilty as if we have broken all of the law (James 2:10).

Once we fully understand the law, we will cry out for mercy from God. Therefore, John Wesley recommended preaching 90% law, and 10% grace.

One caveat: the law is a powerful weapon that God has given us to bring conviction of sin. Use it firmly, but gently. Also, keep in mind that by God’s law, you are no more righteous than anyone else you meet. This should bring humility rather than pride. Satan literally means “accuser.” If we use the law to tear other people down, rather than to gently guide them to Christ, we are doing his work instead of God’s.

What does God’s grace look like? The main position of the church today is the model called “penal substitution.” You might not have heard that phrase before, but you are likely familiar with the concept. According to this model, God sees us as guilty criminals because of his perfect law. Just as a good judge must send a criminal to serve his sentence, so God must demand that we serve ours. But because of his mercy, God then took off his judge’s robes, crossed over to our side, and paid our fine for us through the death of his Son. If we choose to follow God, then that payment is applied to all of our sins, leaving us innocent.

2 Corinthians 5:21 - God made Christ to be sin for us.
Romans 3:26 - God is both just and justifier of the one who has faith in Christ Jesus.

What is required to be saved? Two things: repentance and faith.
Repentance is often misunderstood. It is not merely feeling sorry for your sin. 2 Corinthians 7:10 warns us that godly sorrow leads to salvation, but worldly sorrow leads to death. How can we distinguish between these? Godly sorrow will produce a resolve to change our ways and live for God. Someone may believe that a parachute will save him, but it will do no good unless he puts it on. Similarly, we are commanded to put on Christ (Romans 13:14; Galatians 3:27).

What does this style of evangelism look like?
Ray Comfort: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umn3iCn90IY