August 28, 2024
Citizens of Heaven

How to Share Your Faith | A Guide for Christian Believers

Welcome, friends. Today’s Bible study is essential and close to our heart, titled “How to Share Your Faith.” Our focus will be on understanding why we share our faith, how to do it effectively, and when is the right time. We’ll also address overcoming the anxiety and fear often associated with witnessing.

Why Share Your Faith

As followers of Christ, our mandate to share our faith is clear. Jesus Himself declared in Luke 19:10, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” This purpose alone should stir our hearts. Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 5:11–21 reminds us of our responsibility as Christ’s ambassadors, driven by His love to reconcile others to God.

Scripture Reflection: 2 Corinthians 5:11–21

Verses 11-13: Motivated by the Fear of the Lord Paul begins by explaining that his team’s actions are driven by the fear of the Lord and a desire to be well thought of by the Corinthians. He speaks of his and his companions’ sincerity, not needing to commend themselves again but giving the Corinthians cause to be proud of them.

Verses 14-15: Compelled by Christ’s Love Paul states that Christ’s love compels them, meaning that understanding Christ’s sacrifice for all should motivate believers to live no longer for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.

Verses 16-17: A New Creation Paul emphasizes that from now on, they regard no one from a worldly point of view. If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation; the old has gone, the new is here. This transformation is a central theme in Paul’s teachings about the Christian life.

Verses 18-19: The Ministry of Reconciliation Paul reveals that all of this is from God, who reconciled believers to Himself through Christ and gave them the ministry of reconciliation. God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. He has committed to believers the message of reconciliation.

Verses 20-21: Ambassadors for Christ Finally, Paul declares that they are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through them. They implore on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. He concludes with the profound declaration that God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

How to Share Your Faith

Sharing our faith is not merely a human effort; it’s a spiritual undertaking requiring the Holy Spirit’s power. Acts 1:8 says, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses . . .” This transformation is evident in Peter’s life, as seen in Acts 2:38–41, where the once-timid apostle becomes a bold preacher, leading thousands to Christ.

Scripture Insight:

Acts 1:8: “But 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.”

Acts 2:38–41

Verse 38: Peter’s Response to the Convicted Crowd Peter answers the crowd’s earnest question about what they should do after they were “cut to the heart” by his message about Jesus. He instructs them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” This directive not only calls for repentance and baptism as outward signs of faith but also promises the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Verse 39: The Promise is for All The promise of forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit, Peter says, is not limited but is extended to “all whom the Lord our God will call,” including distant generations and those far off—emphasizing the inclusivity of the gospel.

Verse 40: Peter’s Urgent Appeal Peter continues with many other words to warn and to plead with them to save themselves from the corrupt generation. His message is urgent and pressing, showing his deep concern for their spiritual well-being.

Verse 41: The People’s Response The impact of Peter’s sermon is profound. About three thousand people accept his message, are baptized, and added to the believers that day. This marks a significant growth in the early church and highlights the power of the preached word combined with the work of the Holy Spirit in people’s hearts.

When to Share Our Faith

Knowing when to share our faith requires spiritual sensitivity. While organized evangelism efforts are commendable, the most fruitful witnessing often happens in “divine appointments” orchestrated by God. We must understand that those without Christ are spiritually blind (2 Corinthians 4:4–5), and only the Holy Spirit can open their hearts to the Gospel truth.

Biblical Perspective

2 Corinthians 4:4–5:

Verse 4: Spiritual Blindness Paul explains that the “god of this age” (often understood as Satan or a personification of evil) has blinded the minds of unbelievers, preventing them from seeing “the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” This verse highlights the spiritual battle over the souls of men and women, where the truth of the gospel is obscured by spiritual forces of evil.

Verse 5: Proclaiming Jesus Christ In contrast to the deception spread by the god of this age, Paul clarifies the core of their message: “For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” This verse underscores the humility and dedication of Paul and his fellow workers. They don’t preach to glorify themselves but to exalt Christ and to serve others in His name.

1 Corinthians 3:6–9:

Verse 6: The Roles of Paul and Apollos Paul uses an agricultural metaphor to describe their roles, saying, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” This verse highlights the different functions each played in the ministry. Paul, having founded the church in Corinth, planted the initial seeds of faith, while Apollos, who came later, nurtured and taught the believers, helping their faith to mature.

Verse 7: God Gives the Growth This verse emphasizes that while human ministers play roles in the process of spiritual growth, the real growth comes from God: “So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” This serves as a reminder of the sovereignty of God over all spiritual endeavors and the relative insignificance of the ministers in comparison to God’s power.

Verse 8: Unity and Individual Rewards Paul states that the one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. This verse underscores the unity of purpose among God’s workers while also acknowledging that God will reward each according to their efforts and faithfulness.

Verse 9: Co-workers in God’s Service Paul concludes this passage by describing himself and Apollos as “God’s co-workers” and the Corinthians as “God’s field, God’s building.” This analogy expands on the idea of the church as a place where God’s activities occur and where believers are both the field that grows with the aid of ministers and the building that is being constructed, emphasizing the cooperative nature of the Christian ministry.

Practical Tips for Sharing Your Faith

Share by Example: Your life should be a testament to your faith. A consistent, godly lifestyle speaks volumes (1 Peter 3:1–2).
Share through Prayer: Engage in prayer for the lost regularly, asking God for opportunities and courage to witness (1 Timothy 1:1–4).
Share Your Story: Your personal testimony can be a powerful tool. Be ready to share how Jesus changed your life (1 Peter 3:15).
Share God’s Plan: convey God’s love and the salvation He offers through Christ (John 3:16).
Share the Problem: Sin separates us from God, and this truth needs to be communicated clearly (Romans 3:23).
Share the Remedy: Jesus is the only way to God. Emphasize His sacrifice and the redemption it brings (Acts 4:12).
Share the Response: don’t hesitate to invite a response. Guide them in a prayer of repentance and faith if they are ready (Romans 10:9–10).

Conclusion: How to Share Your Faith

Sharing your faith is a journey of love, obedience, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. It’s about planting seeds, watering them, and trusting God for the increase. Let’s be encouraged by Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

A Prayer for Guidance in Witnessing

“Lord, empower us with Your Spirit to be bold and compassionate witnesses. Open doors for us to share our faith and give us the wisdom to speak Your truth in love. Amen.”

In His Service,

Guardians of Biblical Truth

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