All In: Pre Baptism ResourceSample

Day 6: Who will this decision impact?

Imagine if you ate at a restaurant and had the greatest meal you’d ever eaten. You had tried numerous restaurants in the days leading up but had never experienced a meal like this. The food you ate sustained you like nothing you had ever eaten before. The incredible tastes delighted you like you’d never before tasted and the food and drink restored your hunger and thirst in a way you had never had in the past. Of course you would talk about it! You would tell your family and your friends. You would recommend it to your co-workers and your neighbors. You would be a walking advertisement because it had opened your eyes to see that true fulfillment can be found.

In the same way, when we experience the restoration of our lives through the redeeming work of God, we should want to tell everyone about it. It should be hard for people to bump into us without hearing about the ways that God has moved and changed us. The overflow of God’s goodness and the delight we find in following Him should be contagious as we desire that same thing for those around us. It’s as if we become billboards of His redeeming work. Publicly confessing our need for a Savior and then stepping out into obedience through baptism has the ability to greatly impact those around us.

In Romans, Paul talks about how he isn’t ashamed of the work that God is doing in his life. Rather he wants everyone to experience the Good News of Jesus.

“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” - Romans 1:16-17

Just as we talked about on Day 2, the Good News is meant for everyone to hear. It’s not just a gift we are to keep for ourselves. It’s a way that we, who are wounded and broken people, can help others experience the healing that we have been graciously given.

As we mature in our faith, God sanctifies us -- making us pure and set apart to be a vessel of His Spirit. When we allow God to do this work in our lives then it’s hard to stop the ripple effect it can have on those around us. When we allow God to do a redeeming work in our lives, it can impact generations to come with His Hope!

Reflection:

• How have you seen God work in your life in a way that has impacted someone?
• If not, who is someone you can share the Good News with?
• Take some time today to write out your story–the continual narrative of God’s redemptive work in your life. It’s important to be able to reflect on the ways God has redeemed your life so you can share that with others. You can use the prompts below. Then ask God for an opportunity this week to share your story with someone who needs to hear the Good News.

BEFORE you gave your life to God:

• What was a life-altering moment(s)? How did it shape you?

HOW you came to God:

• What was your biggest hangup to accepting Jesus? What was your turning point?

NOW that you have turned to God:

• What has been redeemed? How has God changed your life?