Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Discover Your Mission in Life

Chapter 2. Share Your Testimony

Chapter 3. Share the Good News

Chapter 4. Invest and Invite

Introduction

The purpose of this series of topical Bible studies is to help you lay a foundation for life change that will last for the rest of your life. Life change is about becoming more and more like Jesus.

Foundations follows the same process Jesus used to train His disciples:

1. Come

Come and get to know God and His people. This is the starting point of life change where we learn who God is and the importance of fellowship with other Christians.

2. Grow

Grow in your relationship with God. Learn how to grow spiritually through God’s Word and prayer.

3. Serve by giving and caring for others

Learn about your spiritual gifts and abilities and how to give to and serve God and others through your church family.

4. Go and make disciples

Invest in the lives of others and invite them to know the Lord when they are ready. Then we make disciples by helping others go through this process.

This topical Bible study consists of questions that are answered by verses in the Bible. The verses are included for your convenience.

Additional questions with a “Q.” beside them are included to stimulate discussion and provide an opportunity to put into practice what you are learning. Sometimes the answers are provided.

A summary is provided at the end of each chapter to provide an opportunity to review what you have learned.

Pray and ask the Lord for understanding and to change your life to be more like Jesus as you study each of the chapters.

Chapter 1. Discover Your Mission in Life

Discover Your Mission

- I WAS CREATED TO FULFILL GOD’S PURPOSE.

Proverbs 16:4. The Lord has made everything for his own purpose

- GOD PLANNED MY LIFE MISSION BEFORE I WAS BORN.

Ephesians 2:10. God is our Maker, and in our union with Christ, he has created us for a life of good works, which he has already prepared for us to do.

- FULFILLING MY MISSION BRINGS GLORY TO GOD.

John 17:4. Jesus: "I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do."

MY PRIMARY TASK IN LIFE IS TO FULFILL MY MISSION.

Acts 20:24. The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me--to tell people the Good News about God's grace.

God’s Plan

- Genesis 1:28. Adam – Be fruitful and multiply

- Genesis 9:1. Noah and Sons – Be fruitful and multiply

- Genesis 22:17. Abraham – I will multiply your seed

- Genesis 35:11.Jacob – Be fruitful and multiply

- Matthew 28:19-20. Jesus – Make multiplying disciples

Q. Why do people have children?

To love

Q. Why did God create Adam and Eve?

To have children to love.

Q. What did God want the chosen men in the Old Testament to do?

Be fruitful and multiply.

Q. Why did God want them to be fruitful and multiply?

So God could have more children to love.

God created us to love us just as we have children to love. But after we were separated from God because of our sin, we need a second birth for forgiveness of sins in order to be God’s children.

John 3:3. Jesus: no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.

Jesus’ Mission on Earth: Make Disciples (A disciple is a learner or follower)

- A disciple becomes like Jesus

Romans 8:29. to be conformed to the likeness of his Son…

- A disciple makes other disciples

Matthew 28:19. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations

Q. Why did Jesus train multiplying disciples?

So people would experience a second birth and come alive to God spiritually.

If Jesus had died for our sins and there was no plan to let people know about it, none of us would have become God’s children. Jesus preached to the crowds, healed many, but he trained 12 ordinary men for three years to get the word out and to train other people to get the word out about His death on the cross for them until everyone in the world had an opportunity to become a child of God.

Matthew 4:19. Come, follow me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men.

Feb 2011

Great Commission

Matthew 28:19-20. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

How to Make Disciples:

- Go: As you go through life, wherever you go, wherever you are, all the time

- Make disciples: As defined by Jesus using Jesus’ process.

- All Nations: All nationalities (No discrimination), the entire world.

- Baptizing: Disciplemaking starts with Evangelism, leading people to faith in Christ.

- Teaching obedience to all of Jesus’ commands: Maturing in all of the ingredients of a disciple.

- I am with you always: Make disciples through Jesus’ Power

Jesus gave this commission after His death and resurrection and before His ascension into heaven. He gave this commission five times to different groups of people at different locations at different times. Whatever Jesus said after His death and resurrection with such repetition must motivate us to obedience.

After His resurrection and during his ascension Jesus told his disciples in

John 20:21, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

He told them to make multiplying disciples just as he did. Paul is an example of obeying the Great Commission as he trained Timothy to train faithful men who would teach others also and reach the world for Christ.

Why Jesus’ Mission Matters to Me

- JESUS EXPECTS ME TO CONTINUE HIS MISSION

The 5 Great Commissions of Jesus

1. Matthew 28:19-20. make disciples of all nations

2. Mark 16:15. You are to go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.

3. Luke 24:47. take this message of repentance to all the nations

4. John 20:21. As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.

5. Acts 1:8. You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

- IF I WANT TO BE LIKE JESUS, MY LIFE MISSION MUST BE HIS LIFE MISSION.

John 17:18. In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.

- BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE HOPELESS WITHOUT CHRIST.

Acts 4:12. Jesus is the only one who can save people. His name is the only power in the world that has been given to save people. We must be saved through him.

Romans 10:13-14. Anyone who calls on the Lord will be saved. But before people can ask the Lord for help, they must believe in him; and before they can believe in him, they must hear about him; and for them to hear about the Lord, someone must tell them.

- BECAUSE GOD WANTS EVERYBODY SAVED!

1 Timothy 2:4. God wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

2 Peter 3:9. God does not want anyone to be lost, but he wants all people to change their hearts and lives.

- I WILL BE GLAD WHEN I SEE PEOPLE IN HEAVEN.

Luke 15:7. I tell you there is much joy in heaven when one sinner changes his heart.

Knowing this, what should be my response?

Acts 20:24. I want to carry out the mission I received from the Lord Jesus

Q. What is our mission?

To make multiplying disciples.

What did Jesus say about what it means to be His disciple?

1. John 8:31. To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.”

Q. What does it mean to hold to Jesus’ teaching?

Obey His commandments.

2. John 13:34-35. A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

Q. Who are the disciples to love?

Other disciples.

Q. How are we to love other disciples?

As Jesus loves us and died for us.

Q. What will this let non-Christians know?

That we are Jesus’ disciples.

3. John 15:8. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Q. What kind of fruit are we to bear?

Fruit of disciples, Fruit of righteousness, Fruit of the Spirit.

Philippians 1:11. filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Galatians 5:22-23. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

4. Luke 9:23. Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Q. What does it mean to deny yourself?

Deny your flesh.

Q. What does it mean to take up your cross?

Die to self daily.

Q. What does it mean to follow Jesus?

Obey his commands. Think, say, and do what Jesus would.

5. Luke 14:26. If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple

Q. What does this mean?

Matthew 10:37. Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me

We need to love Jesus more than anyone. Jesus must be our number one priority.

6. Luke 14:33. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

Q. What does it mean to give up everything you have?

Remember that God owns everything and we are just managers.

We need to love Jesus more than we love things.

Jesus must be the most important thing to us.

Why do some people choose not to follow Jesus as His disciple?

In Matthew 13 Jesus tells us the answer.

Is there anything in your life that is distracting you from wholeheartedly following Jesus? What?

What are you going to do about it?

Jesus’ Disciplemaking Plan

We become like Jesus by maturing in all of the ingredients of His disciple.

Biblical basis of God’s ingredients:

The Great Commandment: Matthew 22:37-39. Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart...soul...and mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”

The Great Commission: Matthew 28:19-20. Jesus said Go and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you

Ingredients of a disciple( A Summary of All of Jesus’ Commands):

WORSHIP: Love God with all your heart

FELLOWSHIP: Love all people

GOD’S WORD: Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you

PRAYER: Love God with all your heart

SERVICE: Love all people

OUTREACH: Go and make disciples

All of the ingredients of a disciple of Jesus are included in Foundations

Jesus’ Disciplemaking Process

Jesus: “I am the Way…Follow me”

(John 14:6, Matthew 4:19)

- The “Way” to mature in all of the ingredients of a disciple is to “Follow” Jesus. This means that we are to follow the model of Jesus’ life and follow the model of His ministry as He made disciples.

- We must rely on God’s resources and the power of the Holy Spirit.

- Jesus’ disciplemaking process was to ask twelve ordinary men to come and see what he was doing and who He was. Then He spent three years with them training them to grow, serve, and then go and repeat the cycle until the Great Commission was finished.

1. Come

Come and get to know God and His people. This is the starting point of life change where we learn who God is and the importance of fellowship with other Christians.

2. Grow

Grow in your relationship with God. Learn how to grow spiritually through God’s Word and prayer.

3. Serve by giving and caring for others

Learn about your spiritual gifts and abilities and how to give to and serve God and others through your church family.

4. Go and make disciples

Invest in the lives of others and invite them to know the Lord when they are ready. Then we make disciples by helping others go through this discipleship process.

Disciplemaking Process with Ingredients

We use Jesus’ disciplemaking process and all of the ingredients of a disciple are included in the order that helps us mature the best.

1. Come

- Worship God

- Fellowship

2. Grow

- God’s Word

- Prayer

3. Serve

- Service

4. Go

- Outreach

We do not confuse the ingredients of flour, sugar, and eggs with the final product of cookies, but we confuse the ingredients of a disciple with the final product of a disciple. Becoming a disciple is not just an ingredient of the Christian life; it is the goal of the Christian life. The ingredients of a disciple must be added in the proper order using the proper process to have a successful recipe for making disciples.

Recipe for a Disciple

Ingredients:

- Worship

- Fellowship

- God’s Word

- Prayer

- Service

- Outreach

Instructions (Jesus’ Process):

1. Come – Start with a mixture of Worship and Fellowship

2. Grow – Add God’s Word and Prayer and bake until done

3. Serve – Serve your friends and others

4. Go – Share this recipe with others and multiply the goodness

- Jesus’ instructions for making a disciple: Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you

- We can’t leave out any of the ingredients

- We need to follow Jesus’ instructions (Process)

Foundations follows Jesus’ process for making disicples and includes all of the ingredients of a disciple.

The Power of Multiplication

- The Great Commission can be finished in one generation by just one disciple

- if each disciple makes one multiplying disciple every year

- Growth starts slowly: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc.

- But growth reaches the entire population of the world in only 34 years

- This is exponential growth

“Discover Your Mission in Life” Summary

- Discover Your Mission

- God’s Plan

- God created us to love us just as we have children to love

- But we need a second birth for forgiveness of sins in order to be God’s children

- Jesus’ Mission on Earth: Make Disciples

- A disciple becomes like Jesus

- A disciple makes other disciples

- Jesus made 11 multiplying disciples to let all people in the world know how they can become God’s children

- Great Commission

- Make Disciples:

- As you go through life

- All nationalities (No discrimination)

- Baptize (Lead people to faith in Christ)

- Teach obedience to all of Jesus’ commands

- Through Jesus’ Power

- Jesus gave this commission five times after His death and resurrection and before His ascension into heaven

- Paul is an example of obeying the Great Commission as he trained Timothy to train faithful men who would teach others also and reach the world for Christ.

- Why Jesus’ Mission Matters to Me

- What did Jesus say about what it means to be His disciple?

- Obey His commands

- Love other disciples

- Bear the fruit of the Spirit and the fruit of making disciples

- Deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Jesus

- Love Jesus more than anyone

- Give up everything

- Why some people choose not to follow Jesus as His disciple

- Some fall away when trouble and persecution come

- Others fall away because of the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches

- Jesus’ Disciplemaking Plan

- Become like Jesus by maturing in God’s purposes

- The basis of God’s purposes is the Great Commandment and the Great Commission

- God’s purposes are a summary of all of Jesus’ commands

- Worship

- Fellowship

- God’s Word

- Prayer

- Service

- Outreach

- Jesus’ Disciplemaking Process (The “Way” to mature in God’s purposes is to “Follow” Jesus)

- We are to follow the model of Jesus’ life and follow the model of His ministry as He made disciples.

- We must rely on God’s resources and the power of the Holy Spirit.

- Jesus’ disciplemaking process was to ask 12 ordinary men to come and follow Him and then to spend 3 years with Him to train them to grow, serve, and then go and repeat the cycle until the Great Commission was finished.

- Disciplemaking Process (All of the ingredients of a disciple are included in the order that helps us mature the best)

1. Come

- Worship God

- Fellowship

2. Grow

- God’s Word

- Prayer

3. Serve

- Service

4. Go

- Outreach

- Recipe for a disciple

- Jesus’ instructions for making a disciple: Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you

- We can’t leave out any of the ingredients

- We need to follow Jesus’ instructions (Process)

- We can’t confuse the final product of a disciple with the ingredients of a disciple

- The Power of Multiplication

- The Great Commission can be finished in one generation by just one disciple if each disciple makes one multiplying disciple every year

- Growth starts slowly: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc.

- But growth reaches the entire population of the world in only 34 years

- This is exponential growth

Chapter 2. Share Your Testimony

Sharing the Message

1 Peter 2:9. You are the ones chosen by God… God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you.

2 Corinthians 5:19-20. He has given us this message of restored relationships to tell others. Therefore, we are Christ's representatives.

TWO PARTS OF YOUR LIFE MESSAGE

The Unique Part

Part 1: Your Testimony – Your story of how you began a relationship with Jesus.

The Universal Part

Part 2: The Good News – Explaining how to accept Christ.

Sharing Your Testimony

A personal testimony is the most persuasive form of communication.

The Bible is Full of Testimonies:

DAVID: Psalms 66:16. Come and listen, and I will tell you what God has done for me.

THE WOMAN AT THE WELL: John 4:39. Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony.

THE MAN BORN BLIND: John 9:25 I don't know whether he is good or bad, but I know this: I was blind, and now I see!

PETER AND JOHN: Acts 4:20. We cannot stop telling about the wonderful things we have seen and heard.

PAUL: (Acts 22-26) On six different occasions Paul used his personal testimony to share the Good News with unbelievers.

JESUS: John 3:11. Listen carefully. I'm speaking sober truth to you. I speak only of what I know by experience; I give witness only to what I have seen with my own eyes. There is nothing secondhand here, no hearsay.

THE VALUE OF YOUR TESTIMONY

- It is unique! There are no others just like it.

- It is personal and easy to understand.

- You are the authority on it.  It’s difficult to argue with.

- People love to hear personal stories and they remember them.

- People can relate to it. It builds a relational bridge.

- In our postmodern world, it may be your most effective witness.

1 Peter 3:15. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

The Parts to Your Testimony

A. IF YOU BECAME A CHRISTIAN AS AN ADULT

1. What my life was like before I met Christ.

- What common circumstances would an unbeliever identify with?

- What were your attitudes that an unbeliever would identify with?

- What was most important to you?

- What substitute for God did you use to find meaning in your life? (sports/fitness, success at work, marriage, sex, making money, drugs/alcohol, having fun, entertainment, popularity, hobbies)

2. How I committed my life to Christ.

- What specifically did you do? Where did it happen?

- What did you say in your prayer?    Be specific.

3. The difference it has made in my life.

- What benefits have you experienced or felt?

- What problems have been resolved?

- How has Jesus helped you change for the better?

- How has it helped your relationships? Give a current example.

B. IF YOU BECAME A CHRISTIAN AS A CHILD BUT WALKED AWAY OR NEVER GREW UNTIL A DEEPER RECOMMITMENT AS AN ADULT.

1. What was my life like before my recommitment?

2. How I recommitted my life to Christ.

3. The difference it has made in my life.

C. IF YOU BECAME A CHRISTIAN AT AN EARLY AGE AND NEVER STRAYED.

1. How I committed my life to Christ.

2. The difference it has made in my life.

SUGGESTIONS FOR PREPARING YOUR TESTIMONY

- Pray and ask God to give you the right words.

- Write it out on paper. God honors preparation.

- Keep it short and to the point.  Don’t lose sight of your goal.

- Be succinct.  Avoid excessive, unnecessary details.

- Keep your testimony below 3 minutes.

- Refer to experiences most people have in common.

- Share a slice of your life (a story) that they will identify with.

- Be honest about your continuing struggles. Your life is not perfect.

- Don’t imply that all of your problems ended at conversion.

- Spend the most time on the difference Christ has made in your life.

- Emphasize WHY you received Christ (the benefits of doing it).

- Mention the benefit of being certain of your destiny when you die.

- Don’t exaggerate about pre-conversion sins.

- Don’t make negative remarks about other religions or people.

- Don’t mention any denomination.

- Don’t quote a lot of Scripture. (A maximum of one verse)

- Don’t answer questions they haven’t asked.

- Give concrete examples of the changes in your life.

- The more specific you are, the more dynamic it will be.

- Avoid using dates, names, and ages. It doesn’t matter to them.

- Be prepared. Practice it until it feels and sounds natural.

- Read it aloud and edit it to make it conversational.

- Let a friend read it and make suggestions.

- Speak casually and informally, in a matter-of-fact tone.

- Don’t dramatize or embellish your story.

- Don’t share mystical experiences.  Share on their level, not yours.

- Don’t talk down to people. Don’t sound “preachy.”

- Use “I, me, and my” not “You”.  It’s about you – not them.

- Use humor- it reduces tension and relaxes people. Smile!

- Choose a central theme. (See list)

POSSIBLE TESTIMONY THEMES

Before trusting Jesus versus after trusting Jesus:

- Worries/Anxiety - Inner Peace

- Guilt/Shame - Forgiveness and a fresh start

- Anger/Temper - Patience and love

- Emptiness/Lack of Purpose - Purpose in life and meaning

- Grief - Comfort and Joy

- Stress/Burnout - New energy and power for living

- Low self-esteem - Significance (I am valuable to God)

- Poor health - Strength to go on

- Disappointment - Trust in his good plans

- Insecurity - Confidence and sense of security

- Regrets - A second chance at life

- Discontent/Frantic activity - Contentment and peace

- Fears - Faith to face my fears

- Loneliness - Assurance He’s always with me

- Lack of emotional support - A church family that supports me.

- Addictions/Habits - Power to change. Freedom

- Self-centeredness - Love for other people

- Despair/Depression - Hope

- Cheap thrills - Real, lasting happiness

- Boredom with my life - Adventure with God

- Fear of Death - Assurance of heaven

- “Something was missing” - A sense of fulfillment

- Bitterness & resentment - The ability to be free from my past

- Pain of rejection - God’s unconditional love

- Marriage Problems - Positive changes in my marriage

- Financial Problems - Positive changes in my finances

- Business Problems - Positive changes in my business

God allows experiences in my life so I can relate to others who need Christ!

COMMON CIRCUMSTANCES

POSITIVE

Adoption, breaking a bad habit, financial gain, raising kids, marriage strengthened or restored, new baby, new business, new friends, new home, new marriage, new job, success, renewed love, restored relationships

MAJOR CRISES

Abuse, accident, addiction, abortion, bankruptcy, broken dream, eating disorder, death, depression, disease, discrimination, divorce, empty nest, financial problems, infertility, incest,  jail, rape, surgery

Realize you have more than one testimony!

- Different situations will require different testimonies!

- Choose the testimony that best matches your listener.

- Realize you can tell about how others’ lives have been changed too.

Don’t use religious terms or clichés or broad generalities.

Ask: “If I were an unbeliever, would this make sense to me?”

TRANSLATING CHRISTIAN WORDS

Christian words to avoid versus when talking with seekers:

- “Blessed” - “Happy”

- “I was Born Again” - “I was given a fresh, new start”

- “I was Saved” - “My life changed at that moment”

- “Jesus is my Lord” - “I put Jesus in control of my life.”

- “I repented” - “I changed my mind” (a mental U-turn)

- “I had sinned” - “I knew I’d blown it”

- “All are sinners” - “Nobody’s perfect. No one bats 1000”

- “I felt convicted” - “I realized that...”

- “The Holy Ghost” - “God’s Spirit”

PHRASES TO AVOID IN A TESTIMONY TO UNBELIEVERS

“I just Praise the Lord for...”

“Hallelujah!”

“It was glorious”

“The Lord laid on my heart”

“Now I am so blessed”

“Amen”

“I was convicted”

HOW TO LEAD INTO YOUR TESTIMONY

1. Listen for problems or needs that Jesus has helped you with.

“You know, that used to be a big issue in my life too (or my marriage, etc). In fact, I felt pretty (hopeless, frustrated, etc.) But then I discovered something that made a major difference in my life.”

2. Refer to something in the news or on TV that deals with a common need or problem.

“Did you read about... I can sure identify with how those people feel. It wasn’t that long ago that I struggled with that too. But then something happened that changed everything for me...”

Start with a statement they’d agree with or situation they relate to.

“It seems like life is getting faster and faster.”

“Sometimes life just gets so complicated.”

“Life doesn’t always turn out the way you planned it.”

Psalm 96:2. Each day tell someone that he saves.

Share Your Testimony

- Write your testimony and practice sharing it.

- Write down ideas for the parts of your testimony

- Write out your testimony

- Your testimony should be 3 minutes or less

- Begin praying for God to bring people into your life that you could share your testimony with in a natural, casual way.

- Share your testimony with people God brings into your life

Write ideas for your testimony

1. What my life was like before I met Christ.

2. How I committed my life to Christ.

3. The difference it has made in my life.

Write your testimony

“Share Your Testimony” Summary

- Sharing the Message

- Two parts to your life message

- Your testimony

- The Good News

- The Value of Your Testimony

- The Parts to your Testimony

- Suggestions for Preparing Your Testimony

- Possible Testimony Themes

- Common Circumstances

- Translating Christian Words

- Phrases to Avoid in a Testimony to Unbelievers

- How to Lead into Your Testimony

- Share Your Testimony

- Write down ideas for the parts of your testimony

- Write out your testimony

- Your testimony should be 3 minutes or less

- Practice sharing your testimony

- Pray for God to bring people into your life that you could share your testimony with

- Share your testimony

Chapter 3. Share the Good News

Sharing the Good News

The universal part of your Life Message is the Gospel, the Good News of how we can be saved, forgiven, and begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The moment you trust in Christ, you are called and commissioned to be a messenger of the Good News to people who haven’t heard or responded to it.

THE BRIDGE ILLUSTRATION

1 Timothy 2:5. God is on one side and all the people on the other side, and Christ Jesus, himself man, is between them to bring them together.

BASIS of the Bridge Illustration

All Have Sinned: Romans 3:23, Isaiah 53:6

Sin's Penalty: Romans 6:23, Hebrews 9:27

Salvation Not by Works: Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5

Christ Paid the Penalty: Romans 5:8, I Peter 3:18

Must Receive Christ: John 1:12, Revelation 3:20

Assurance of Salvation: John 5:24, I John 5:13

ADAPT this simple illustration to:

- The person

- The situation

- The amount of time you have

Be FLEXIBLE

- Share it verbally without drawing the illustration

- Draw it on the back of a napkin or any other available piece of paper

- Use any or all of the memory verses or none of the memory verses

- Share it in one minute or one hour depending on the available time and the leading of the Holy Spirit

- Share it by asking questions or in a monologue

Be PREPARED

- Memorize the verses

- Memorize and practice the Bridge Illustration

1 Peter 3:15. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have

Bridge Illustration of the Good News

Draw the figure below using the following instructions.

I. God’s Plan

- In the beginning there was God.

- God created mankind.

1. What kind of life did God create for us to live?

John 3:16. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 10:10. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

- In a love relationship with him

- Eternal life

- Abundant life

II. Our Problem

2. What is life in the world really like today?

- Instead of love there is hate.

- Instead of eternal life there is death.

- Instead of abundance there is poverty.

3. There is a separation between the way God created life to be lived and the way we now experience it. What causes this separation between God and mankind?

Romans 3:23. Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

- Sin causes the separation between God and mankind.

4. What are the results (wages) of our sin?

Romans 6:23. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hebrews 9:27. And just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment,

- One result of sin is death.

- Another result of sin is judgment.

5. People try many ways to reach God. What are some of the ways people try to reach God?

- By good works.

- By going to church.

What are other ways people try to reach God?

6. According to the Bible, how effective are our efforts to reach God?

Ephesians 2:8-9. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God— not because of works, lest any man should boast.

- No works will save us from the results of our sin.

III. God’s Solution

7. Our position looks hopeless. What we can’t do for ourselves God has done for us.

What is God’s solution for our sin and separation from him?

Romans 5:8. But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.

- Christ paid the penalty for our sins to bring us to God.

IV. Your Response

8. What is your part in all of this? What must you do to have your sins forgiven, to receive eternal life, and be united with God?

John 1:12. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God

- I must receive Christ.

- I must accept the bridge God offers and walk across by faith.

9. Draw yourself on the illustration on God’s side or mankind’s side.

10. To receive Christ and eternal life and be on God’s side of the chasm, you simply ask Jesus to come into your life in prayer.

Jesus,

I am sorry for my sins.

I believe that you died on the cross for my sins.

Please come into my life, forgive me, and give me eternal life with you.

Amen

One Verse Bridge Illustration of the Good News

Draw the figure below using the following instructions.

1. Write Romans 6:23 and underline the key words:

For the wages of sin is death

but the free gift of God is eternal life

ln Christ Jesus our Lord.

2. Draw the lines representing cliffs with a chasm in between.

3. Write “Wages” in the figure

- God gives us a choice to follow Him or go our own way.

- When we choose to go our own way, there are some consequences or “Wages”.

4. Write “Sin”

- Choosing to go our own way instead of God’s way is called “Sin”.

- Sin is when we think, say, and do things we should not.

5. Write “Death”

- Death here is spiritual death and means separation from God

- This is caused by choosing to go our own way instead of God’s way

6. Draw the person and “God”

- The chasm represents our separation from God

7. Write “But”

- This word means that there is a contrast to what is next.

- What we have just looked at is bad news but what follows is good news.

8. Write “Free Gift”

In contrast to a wage which is earned, a gift is free.

9. Write “Of God”

Only God can give this free gift.

There is nothing we can do to earn it.

10. Write “Eternal Life”

We can have eternal life with God instead of eternal separation from God

11. Write “Jesus” in a cross bridging the separation

People try many ways to overcome their separation from God such as being spiritual or by religion.

But Jesus is the only way to receive the free gift of eternal life.

Jesus paid for the consequences of our sins to bring us to God.

12. Draw the arrow and write “Believe”

Since this is a free gift, all you have to do is believe and ask Jesus to give you the gift.

Would you like to receive the gift of eternal life?

(If the answer is “yes”) Pray this prayer in your heart as I say the words of a simple prayer.

Jesus,

I am sorry for my sins.

I believe that you died on the cross for my sins.

Please come into my life, forgive me, and give me eternal life with you.

Amen

NEXT STEPS FOR SHARING THE GOOD NEWS

- Practice sharing the Bridge Illustrations

- Begin praying for God to bring people into your life that you could share your testimony and the Bridge Illustration with in a natural, casual way.

- Share your testimony and the Bridge Illustration with people God brings into your life

How to Share Effectively

1. THINK THROUGH WHAT YOU MIGHT SAY

Colossians 4:6. Everything you say should be kind and well thought out so that you know how to answer everyone.

Proverbs 16:23. Intelligent people think before they speak; what they say is then more persuasive.

2. ASK GOD FOR HELP IN CHOOSING THE RIGHT WORDS

Ephesians 6:19. Pray for me that when I speak, God will give me words so that I can tell the secret of the Good News without fear.”

3. SHOW LOVE

1 Corinthians 13:1. If I have no love, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or clanging bell.

People don’t care how much we know, until they know how much we care!

4. BE POSITIVE AND PLEASANT

Proverbs 16:21. A wise, mature person is known for his understanding. The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is.

Colossians 4:5. Be tactful with those who are not Christians

Proverbs 12:25. A word of encouragement does wonders!

5. NEVER USE ANY PUT-DOWNS

Colossians 4:6. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.

Don’t expect unbelievers to act like believers.

6. TELL STORIES- GIVE EXAMPLES - People always relate to a story better.

Matthew 13:34. Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables.

7. LIGHTEN UP!

Luke 7:34. The Son of man came enjoying life

8. BE YOURSELF. BE NATURAL. DON’T TRY TO SOUND “SPIRITUAL

1 Corinthians 2:1. When I came to you, it was not with any show of oratory or philosophy but simply to tell you what God has guaranteed.

Titus 2:8. Your speech should be unaffected and logical so that your opponents may feel ashamed at finding nothing in which to pick holes.

9. BE VULNERABLE AND AUTHENTIC

1 Thessalonians 2:8. Because we loved you, we were happy to share not only God's Good News with you, but even our own lives.

2 Corinthians 6:11. We’ve spoken frankly to you, we’ve opened our hearts wide.

Philippians 1:27. Be sure that you live in a way that brings honor to the Good News of Christ.

10. MEMORIZE THE VERSES TO THE BRIDGE ILLUSTRATION

2 Timothy 2:15. Concentrate on being a workman with nothing to be ashamed of, and who knows how to use the Word of truth to the best advantage.

11. KEEP IT SIMPLE

2 Corinthians 11:3. I fear (Satan) will corrupt you from the simplicity that is in Christ.

12. REMEMBER, THE HOLY SPIRIT IS USING YOUR WORDS

You are not trying to convince anyone on your own.

1 Thessalonians 1:5. For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true.

13. DON’T ARGUE OR DEBATE

Titus 3:9. But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.

Matthew 4:19. Jesus called out, ‘Come follow me and I will show you how to fish for the souls of men.

“Share the Good News” Summary

- Sharing the Good News

- Bridge Illustrations of the Good News

- Memorize the verses

- Next Steps for Sharing the Good News

- Practice sharing the Bridge Illustration

- Pray for God to bring people into your life that you could share your testimony and the Bridge Illustration with

- Share your testimony and the Bridge Illustration with people God brings into your life

- How to Share Effectively

- THINK THROUGH WHAT YOU MIGHT SAY

- ASK GOD FOR HELP IN CHOOSING THE RIGHT WORDS

- SHOW LOVE

- BE POSITIVE AND PLEASANT

- NEVER USE ANY PUT-DOWNS

- TELL STORIES - GIVE EXAMPLES

- LIGHTEN UP!

- BE YOURSELF. BE NATURAL. DON’T TRY TO SOUND “SPIRITUAL”

- BE VULNERABLE AND AUTHENTIC

- MEMORIZE THE VERSES TO THE BRIDGE ILLUSTRATION

- KEEP IT SIMPLE

- REMEMBER, THE HOLY SPIRIT IS USING YOUR WORDS

- DON’T ARGUE OR DEBATE

Chapter 4. Invest and Invite

1. IDENTIFY YOUR CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE

Where do I start first?  Those closest to me!

Mark 5:19. Go home to your family and friends. Tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how he has had mercy on you.

Write in names of people you have a relationship with that you want to see come closer to the Lord. This is your circle of influence.

- Immediate family

- Relatives

- Close Friends

- Neighbors and Work Associates

- Acquaintances

2. LEARN ABOUT THE KINDS OF PEOPLE IN YOUR CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE.

1 Corinthians 9:20-23. To the Jews I became like a Jew to win the Jews…to those who are without the law I became like a person who is without the law… to those who are weak I became weak so I could win the weak. I have become all things to all people so I could save some of them in any way possible. I do all this because of the Good News and so I can share in its blessings.

Proverbs 13:16. Every prudent man acts out of knowledge.

The more you know about a person, THE EASIER IT IS TO REACH THEM.

A. WHAT ARE THEIR EXPERIENCES, INTERESTS, NEEDS, HURTS

What gets our attention:

1. Things we VALUE

2. Things that THREATEN US

3. Things that are UNIQUE

What are unbelievers in our area like today?

B.  WHAT DO I SHARE IN COMMON WITH THEM?

1 Corinthians 9:22b-23. Whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so that he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him. I do this to get the Gospel to them and also for the blessing I myself receive when I see them come to Christ.

This is the fundamental secret of telling others about Christ.

Mark 4:33. With many stories like these, he presented his message to them, fitting the stories to their experience and maturity.

- Before you can share the Good News, you must first find COMMON GROUND

- Before you can reach them, you must be able to RELATE to them.

3. REMEMBER THAT PEOPLE ARE RECEPTIVE AT DIFFERENT TIMEs

Colossians 4:5. Be wise in the way you act toward those who are not believers

How OPEN are they to the Good News?

It is important to realize that people go through a process in coming to faith in Christ and they must be approached differently depending on where they are.

Practical Steps to Invest and Invite

The process we use to help our friends find Jesus

Most people decide to follow Jesus because of a relationship with a friend, neighbor, work associate, or family member. Good friendships are usually intentional, rather than accidental.  Developing friendships often requires going the second mile, taking some risks, and moving outside our comfort zone.  And with our busy lifestyles, it takes planning. If we don’t plan to cultivate friendships, we’ll find that we never have the time to do so.

Proverbs 16:9. We should make our plans - counting on God to direct us.

STEP #1:  BEGINNING - Beginning entails the initiation or continuation of a friendship with someone you would like to see meet Jesus personally. The most important thing you can do is to ask people how you can pray for them and then follow up to see how God has answered your prayers.

- Make a list of them by name.

- Realize that they are your responsibility.

- Assess where each person is in this four step process.

- Discover and write down what their interests and needs are.

- Look for areas of common ground that you can build on.

- Initiate activities that are natural for you to spend time together.

- Invite them into your home.

STEP #2:  BUILDING - People invest time building relationships through mutual participation in a variety of life events and activities. Sharing our faith grows out of the context of living and enjoying life together and discussing life’s challenges and meaning.

- Invite your friends to social events.

- Use your list to pray weekly for your friends.

- Pray that God will draw them to himself. John 6:44

- Pray that the Holy Spirit will make their heart receptive. John 16:8-13

- Pray that God will give you wisdom in what to say. James 1:5

- Pray the Holy Spirit will use the words you say. 1 Thessalonians 1:5

- Be a genuine friend. Help them in practical ways.

- Be a good listener.  It is a great way to show love.

STEP #3: DEEPENING – This step of deepening friendships involves inviting your friends to participate in some spiritual activities and be around other Christians.

- Invite them to attend social events with other Christians

- Invite them to attend a Worship Service or some other church event

- Treat everyone with respect as people, not as “prospects”.

- Make service your aim, not recruitment.

- Consciously focus your concern on meeting their needs.

- Go out of your way to love them until they ask you why.

- Accept people as they are without being judgmental.

- Identify yourself as a positive, joyful follower of Christ.

STEP #4: CHOOSING – This is the step where people are given an opportunity to make a decision to become a follower of Christ when you sense they are ready.

- Share your testimony when the occasion naturally arises. It will. Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

- Never force the Good News. Be patient. God is working!

- Use crisis situations to show why we all need God.

- Ask questions that lead to spiritual discussions.

- Concentrate on the essentials. Don’t get sidetracked by hang-ups.

- Invite them to an outreach event at church (such as Christmas and Easter Services)

- Invite them to attend Foundations Come

- Share the Good News and lead them in a prayer of commitment.

You can become the first of many generations of God’s children as you lead someone to Christ; they lead someone to Christ, etc.

Examples of levels of spiritual receptivity

Isaiah 46:12. Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, you who are far from righteousness.

Mark 12:34. (Jesus with an unbeliever) Realizing this man's understanding, Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God."

Ephesians 2:17. He has brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were very far away from him, and to us Jews who were near.

Ephesians 2:13. Now you belong to Christ Jesus. Though you once were far away from God, now you have been brought near to him because of the blood of Christ.

Facts

- Some people are close to making a commitment to Christ, while others have a long way to go!

- Effective evangelism relies on assessing how receptive a person is and then helping them take the next step.

At what STEP (1-4)would a person say…

“I think religion is a crutch for weak people.”      (1)

“Please show me how I can become a Christian.” (4)

“I’m really fed up with the stress I’m under. (2)

“I think everyone will go to heaven.” (1 or 2)

“I’ve been reading a New Age book on spirituality.” (1 or 2)

INSIGHTS

- Evangelism is a PROCESS of people moving toward Jesus in steps!

- People move though these steps at different speeds.

- People often require multiple exposures at each step before moving on.

- A person can get stuck at any step. The #1 reason is FEAR

- Every step requires a DIFFERENT RESPONSE by me!

1 Corinthians 3:6. My work was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollos' work was to water it, but it was God, not we, who made the garden grow in your hearts.

Outreach Plan

How to reach out to people in your circle of influence. Write down:

- Name from your circle of influence

- What step they are at in your relationship with them (1-4)

- Their interests, needs, and hurts

- What you share in common with them

- What you are going to do next at the step they are at to continue to build a bridge of friendship.

- Pray regularly for these people

Be a World Class Christian

GOD’S GLOBAL PLAN

God has always been interested in the entire world.

Mark 16:15. Jesus said, “Go everywhere in the world, and tell the Good News to everyone.”

Mark 10:13. And the Good News must first be made known in every nation before the end-time finally comes.

Many Christians mistakenly assume that the responsibility for taking the Good News to all parts of the world belongs only to missionaries and pastors. But the Bible clearly points out that it is every believer’s responsibility to be a world-class Christian. Every member is a messenger!

Now, with the Internet, digital communication technologies, and air transportation available to practically every corner of the planet, our responsibility has increased - but the task has also gotten much easier!   Our world is shrinking. When you can fly long distances in a few hours, the opportunity to be a part of God’s Global Mission around the world is now available to all of us!

WHAT ON EARTH IS GOD DOING?

The Status of Christianity in the World

Habakuk 1:5. Look at the nations and be amazed! Watch and be astounded at what I will do! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn't believe even if someone told you about it.

The Good News

The church is far bigger than you think

- There are over 2 billion Christians in the world

- The Church is growing explosively outside of Western countries.

In 1900 – 81% of believers were Caucasian.

In 1981 – 51% of believers were Caucasian.

In 2000 – 40% of believers were Caucasian.

- The availability of the Bible in other languages has increased dramatically.

1800 – 67 languages

1900 – 537 languages

2000 – 2800 languages

- The Jesus Film has been seen by over 2 billion people and over 100 million have prayed to receive Christ!

- The number of mission agencies is increasing

In 1900 – 600 mission agencies

In 1998 – 4,650

In 2025 – 8,500 estimated

Many missionaries are from developing nations!

- The Church is cooperating in world mission partnerships as never before.

THE WORLD SITUATION TODAY

With over 7 billion people in the world, over 4 billion people are lost without Christ!

There are still over 2,000 unreached people groups in the world.

The four words that best describe the unreached people in our world are:

- ASIAN

- ISLAMIC

- URBAN

- UNDER 20

Urbanization will increase dramatically during the next two decades

- For the first time in history, more people live in cities than rural.

- By 2025, over 25% of the world’s population will live in squatter settlements connected to these huge cities.

- There are more than 100 million street children in mega-cities; they live and sleep on the street.

Youth under 20 continue to increase

2000 – 2.383 billion under 20

2005 – 2.404 billion an increase of 21 million in 5 years

2010 – 2.436 billion an increase of 32 million in 5 years

The problem is not the harvest.  It’s the lack of HARVESTERS.

Matthew 9:37. Jesus said to his followers, “There are many people to harvest but only a few workers to help harvest them.”

Romans 10:13-15. Anyone who calls on the Lord will be saved.  But before people can ask the Lord for help, they must believe in him; and before they can believe in him, they must hear about him; and for them to hear about the Lord, someone must tell them;  and before someone can go and tell them, that person must be sent.

EVERYDAY MISSIONS

IDEAS FOR DEVELOPING A MISSION HEART

1. Create a plan for inviting your neighbors to bridge events at the church (Christmas & Easter services, outreach sermon series, etc.).

2. Host an “Open House” to get to know your neighbors. (Hand deliver the invitations so that you make face-to-face contact).

3. See the schools as a mission field. Volunteer as a chaperone for field trips, dances, graduation night, or parent associations.

4. Establish a guestroom in your house to house missionaries & pastors.

5. Invite a friend to go to a movie with you, and then, over coffee, utilize the movie to discuss their outlook on life.

6. Memorize Luke 19:10 and create a list of the potential “lost” people you’d like to reach in your area. Use the Outreach Plan.

7. Invite some people from other cultures into a discussion on the question, “What do you think a Christian is?”

8. Make a list of various ethnic and cultural groups you come across.

9. Memorize I John 3:16-18.

10. Attend a local cultural or ethnically distinctive event in an effort to understand the cultures around your area.

11. Read Matthew 25 and try to identify one project per month that you can do for the types of people Jesus lists.

12. Pray for the country on the label of your clothes.

13. Get an up-to-date map of the world and prominently post it to provoke prayer.

14. Pray for a week for the Muslim countries in North Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Indonesia.

15. Start an email or pen pal connection to international missionaries.

HOW TO GET IN ON WHAT GOD IS DOING

John 13:17. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

1. Use the Outreach Plan to reach out to your friends and family.

2. Pray for missionaries and missions.

3. Go on a short-term mission trip.

4. Use some of the “Ideas for Developing a Mission Heart”.

LIFE MISSION COMMITMENT

I commit to God...

- To prepare myself (1 Peter 3:15):

- To share the story of how I came to faith in Christ.

- To share the Good News of how to become a believer in Christ.

- To reach out with the love of Christ to unbelievers in my circle of influence.

- To share my story of faith and the Good News as the Holy Spirit guides me.

- To help make disciples through Come – Grow – Serve – Go.

- To understand and support the outreach opportunities

- Local Outreach Opportunities.

- Cross-Cultural Outreach Opportunities.

- International Outreach Opportunities.

I commit the rest of my life to being a messenger of God’s Good News to other people and to using my time, my talent, and my resources for His kingdom.

“Invest and Invite” Summary

- Identify Your Circle of Influence

- Practical Steps to Invest and Invite

- Step 1: Beginning – Begin or continue a friendship

- Step 2: Building – Build relationships through participating in activities together

- Step 3: Deepening – Deepen friendships by inviting your friends to attend spiritual events

- Step 4: Choosing – Give you friends an opportunity to make a decision to become a follower of Christ

- Outreach Plan

- Be a World Class Christian

- The status of Christianity in the world

- Many missionaries are from developing nations

- The world situation today

- Everyday Missions

- Ideas for developing a mission heart

- How to get in on what God is doing

- Life Mission Commitment

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Discover Your Mission in Life

Chapter 2. Share Your Testimony

Chapter 3. Share the Good News

Chapter 4. Invest and Invite