Ridgell's Originals

 I have spent a lot of time in a lot of different places lately talking about how to share your faith with family and friends.

Here are four quick suggestions to get started.

Pray.  If you have specific people in mind that you want to share Jesus with, then start praying for them.  Constantly.  Pray for their heart to be softened to hear.  Ask that you will recognize the opportunity to speak.  Pray for the right words.  And pray for the people you haven't really thought about in terms of sharing your faith.  Acquaintances.  Co-workers.  Neighbors.  Ask God to bring them to you.  And for yoru to know it when He does.  To have the courage to speak.

Invite.  Ask them to church.  Invite them to special events.  Have them over for a meal or take them out.  Get to know them.

Listen to their story.  I often ask people to tell me about their Jesus journey.  Or their Jesus story.  Some will not have one.  Some you will find out are believers.  Some may believe but have never been born again.  Some may be lost sheep.  Some will not want to talk.  But you have introduced Jesus into the relationship.

Be ready with your story.  If they ask, or you get an opportunity, know what you will say about Jesus.  How you came to know about Jesus.  Your baptism.  What God has done for you.  Answered prayers.  Struggles.  Just be ready.

Anticipate the next step.  Ask if they want to visit more.  My favorite invite is to ask if they want to get together and talk about Jesus stories.  Think about what stories you know and can share.  Legion.  The Ethiopian.  The Good Samaritan.  Just have your collection of stories ready. 

These are mostly "getting ready" steps, but they are starting points.  And they will lead to many discussion.  Many opportunities to talk about Jesus.  

And many souls added to the Kingdom.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM