Christian Foundations 5 - MissionCampione

MY STORY IN MISSION  

How do we actually go about telling people about Jesus and making more disciples? There are actually lots of different methods that have worked: inviting people to Christian events, doorknocking and giving out brochures, reading the Bible with someone exploring faith, asking friends to Alpha or some other introduction to Christianity course, praying for people, introducing people to your Christian friends and community. We probably shouldn’t get too tied up with finding the best approach because God uses them all. However, there is one simple method that we see working very effectively in the Bible time and time again. This is a method that every Christian can put into practice. Jesus summarises it in Mark 5:19 when he tells a man he had just healed, “go home and tell your family about what God has done for you.” Sharing with your family and friends and neighbors what God has done in your life is one of the best ways to begin the mission. Let’s see today how the Apostle Paul does it when asked to share his story with some Roman officials who had put him in jail.

Read: Acts 26:4-23

Journal

1. What is God saying to me? Which verse is most significant?

2. What do I want to discuss/explore further?

3. What do I need to do?

4. What do you think is the most important statement in Paul’s story?

Reflect

Recent research has shown that most people who do not follow Jesus are not all that impressed with celebrity Christians or strong arguments for Christianity. But they are very impacted by seeing people live out their faith and by hearing genuine stories and testimonies from people they trust and respect.

In the New Testament, especially the Gospels about Jesus, those who encountered Jesus and had their lives changed by him mostly just shared their story - what they had actually “seen and heard” (1 John 1:3). In this passage today, Paul gives his own story in three parts: 1. What his life was like before Jesus. 2. How he met Jesus. 3. How Jesus changed (and was changing) his life. That’s not a bad way to start. Try using these categories to tell your own story.

It is important to remember that everyone’s story is different. Some sound very dramatic like Paul’s. Other stories may not sound very exciting but are no less important and credible. My own story of growing up in a very Christian family has no crazy ‘turning point’ moment. But I can still see the remnants in me of a life without Christ, and can still genuinely share with those in my life how God has saved me and given me incredible peace and security that I never had. I can say that each day walking with him brings me deep joy even when things are going badly. It is not the brilliance of your story that people are interested in, it is the reality of it.

Pray

Father, thank you for forgiving me, for rescuing me from the path I was on, and for giving me a new life, hope, and joy in you. Help me to continue to appreciate my faith story. Give me the confidence to share my story and show me who to share my story with. Please give me the courage to try with someone who trusts me.

Respond

Write down your own story using the three headings: Before Christ. Meeting Christ. With Christ. Share it with someone this week (even if it is a mentor or Christian friend).