INFLUENCE PEOPLE BY SHARING FAITH STORIES
Stories can greatly influence people. Notice how many stories or parables Jesus told. He was the master story teller. Everyone enjoys hearing a good story and you have a great one to share. It's your salvation story. How did you come to new life in Christ? The following will help you for the rest of your life share your story-
1. Please read the following link- http://christianity.about.com/od/testimonies/a/howtotestimony.htm
Now write out the main points you want to include in your story.
What were the key descriptive words for how you were feeling before you came to new life in Christ?
Where were you when you came to new life in Christ?
What are some of the changes God has made in your life since then?
Please share those key words or descriptive phrases to the 3 questions above.
Speaking of great faith stories, don't you love the story we read in John 9 of the man born blind? He told us what he was- he was blind. Then he told us what happened to him- he met Jesus and by faith did what He told him to do. Finally, he told us what happened as a result of trusting Jesus- he now could see. (Amazing Grace! I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.)
2. Please look over a few of the many video salvation testimonies that the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) has recorded. Then send me one that you think would be very good to pass on to unsaved friends. You'll be helping me out on a project I'm working on for us too. Please also send it to one of your unsaved friends as well. Continue praying that God will open their hearts.
http://www.cbn.com/700club/features/Amazing/#salvation
3. Please read pages 31-39 in Lifelines and share briefly one sentence that you found helpful as you seek to influence others toward following Christ.
Announcements & Reminders
Starting June 1st, we will begin reading through the action packed book of Acts! The key verse of the book is Acts 1:8. Have you ever noticed the connection between the way Luke began his gospel and the way he begins the book of Acts which he also wrote? Check it out. Also look at how Luke ends and Acts begins.
We're moving! Instead of meeting on the first Sunday of the month, we will be meeting on the second Sunday of the month to avoid any conflicts with baptisms. So we'll have our next NGL Leadership training meeting on Sunday, June 8th at 11:30.
Congrats to those who have already called and quoted to me the books of the New Testament in order. To those still working on such, try reviewing them daily. You'll get it. Then call me. C.773-742-2694
Just to bless you, here's a testimony/praise song that my wife has been listening to and now I really like it as well. (See how my wife even unintentionally influenced me?! Your love for Christ unveiled makes an impact.)
PS- If you have a favorite song that you want to pass on, that would be great! Thanks
1. I will email these to Dave but I can say that among other things I was confused and empty at age 18. I was a Freshman in College and the Lord put someone in my path who brought me to a church where I heard the gospel (thank you Lord!). He started a tremendous work that changed me completely from the inside out. I could write a lot about it but a few changes that have happened repeatedly for many years in me include a move from anger to peace, selfishness to love, and frustration to hope.
ReplyDelete2. Someone was just telling me about several people from a Muslim background that are in a sports club run by Christians. For some reason the Addison Adamu testimony stood out to me. It’s more designed for someone from that background so it wouldn’t work for everyone but it’s always great to hear about a young man finding Jesus and then blessing and reaching his family with the gospel.
3. Pages 34-35 talk about the objection that “God seems unjust or unfair”. The Philip Yancey quotes are very helpful. It is really arrogant to think that we can understand everything about the universe, justice, and God. Evil is shockingly obvious all around us but it is no excuse to live for ourselves and ignore God. We need to submit to the Lord and follow Him even though we can’t understand everything.
Thanks so much for sharing your testimony Mike. It's hard to imagine you in your old days ways. Christ has so transformed you!
Delete2) Wow. Such a great resource. I have two videos here. I was naturally drawn to the athlete ones. And found that they have a whole section dedicated to christian athletes testimonies. This definitely going to come in handy this summer as I am doing youth sports outreach!!!! So excited. And the stories are amazing.
ReplyDeleteI have one about a horse jockey (http://www.cbn.com/tv/1428430388001). This one I want to share with my grandfather. He loves horse racing and actually got me interested in it. However, he is one person that I have really had a burden for to see accept Jesus. We have had a few conversations. More recently at a family gathering, he sent that he was afraid to die. That it didn't matter what anyone told him about God that he was afraid to die. I am hoping that through the video and me sharing my heart, it might strike a cord. He is a genuinely good, kind, caring loving man, but just never has talked about religion. And he would be one person I would really miss seeing in heaven.
Also, had this video (http://www.cbn.com/tv/2849985936001). Just loved what he said about silver and gold need to be but in the flame to be refined from all impurities. It is through the hard times where we grown and mature. And I just think about my testimony and feel that is resonates so very much. Went through the fire with Jesus and came out refined for Him.
3) This leads me to the last discussion point. On page 35 of Lifelines, you talk about "Footprints in the Sand". A great encouragement to me during my hard times. "Remember the story "Footprints in the Sand" ? The point of it is so true; when it seems like God is furthest from us, He is probably carrying us. Jesus is heaven's amazing proof of how much God cares for us.
Excellent Eddie! So glad you like those video testimonies. I know you will be sowing good seeds.
ReplyDelete1. Before coming to christ i felt so much anger and hatred all the time. I never forgave anybody and thought that the word sorry meant nothing. I was at a point in my life where there wasn't really a meaning or a purpose to anything. Ultimately i was just super negative towards everything. Then it was around easter that i felt like i needed a purpose and that i should try to go to church again, and i remembered new life from going with my friend every once in a while. So i went and it was so powerful and i wanted more. So then i started attending with my friend who is currently my wonderful girlfriend and have been hooked ever since. Since coming to christ God has made me a much calmer and loving person, i have lost a lot of selfishness. Don't get me wrong there is still a lot of room for growing. God has even been at work in my family, they seem to be less hostile and i know its been the power of prayer and i like to think me changing has helped too. But it is all thanks to God.
ReplyDelete2.http://www.cbn.com/tv/1428491929001
3. "Jesus is eager to help even those who have never been messed up."(pg.31) I like this because even the best of people still need salvation.
Excellent Lucas! You've got a great salvation story to share with others.
DeleteI became a follower of Christ when I was four years old. My mom was telling me the stories behind the pictures of a Bible coloring book when she came to the picture of the cross. My mom shared the good news about Jesus’ purpose on earth. She explained that everyone had disobeyed God’s laws. As a child I understood what disobedience was and the concept of consequences. My mom explained that the consequences for disobeying even on of God’s laws was death. No one could be good enough to be with God forever in heaven. But God loved the world so much that He sent His perfect son, Jesus to take the consequences for everyone’s disobedience. She finished by saying that because Jesus did this, we could live forever with Him if we choose to follow Him and let Him be the leader of our lives. I told my mom that was what I wanted to do.
ReplyDeleteI know that was the day that I gave my life to Christ, because it is a very vivid memory, and because from a very young age I had a desire to know more about the things of God. I would witness to our neighbors’ children who were a few years older than me and tell them the good news of God’s gift to the world. As I have grown older I have seen my relationship with the Lord deepen. From wanting to know Him on an almost friendship level, I now desire to know His desires and to put His plans above my own. I trust Him with my heart, my life and my dreams. He has never steered me wrong before, but has always provided for my needs and held me spellbound by the awesomeness of His plans.
The testimony of Johnny Lee Clary http://www.cbn.com/700club/features/amazing/Johnny-Lee-Clary-010411.aspx was amazing to hear. I think I would share this with some of my unsaved friends who believe that some sins are “worse” than other sins. Also, I have watched a few documentaries regarding the KKK and it is a sect that is deeply rooted in self-righteousness. It has a very twisted doctrine, including a ceremony where a cross is set in flames to the tune of Amazing Grace. How the devil tries to twist the things of God for evil, am I right? Yet, God can still reach the hearts of people who allow themselves to be broken.
In answering the question, “If Jesus is the Only way then what about the people in other countries who have never even heard about Jesus? Will God send them to hell for not receiving someone they have never even heard about?” The verse was very helpful, because I myself have been stumped by this question, and the final sentence, “…there is a bigger problem than those who have never heard; it is those who have heard the truth and are ignoring it.” I think it’s important to remember not to get so caught up in just answering the questions but to point people always back to the cross and back to the question, “What life are you going to choose?”
Great Job, faithful servant! No wonder it took so long to set down :) I had to try just one more time - thank you Lord!
DeleteVery good Sarah! You a bright light!
Delete1) The main points I would like to include in my story are: 1) How was my life prior to having a life changing faith in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. 2) How did Jesus reveal his great love to me. 3) How has my life changed since Jesus became part of it.
ReplyDelete1) Key words on how I felt before Christ: Lonely, Empty, Depressed, Unfulfilled, Searching for Something to Satisfy the Deep Longing in my Soul.
2) The one thing that changed my life was reading the New Testament. At the age of 22, one of my co-workers told me about Jesus and his desire to change my life. I thought, yeah, I go to confession on Saturday after partying all night Friday to take communion on Sunday, I was right with God. I knew about him dying on the cross for sinners, you know the bums on skid road but what did that have to do with me? So I thought I buy a Bible from the Catholic bookstore and read for myself what it had to say. I would take a bike ride from Pilsen to Montrose Beach, find a quiet place and read. I can remember the impact the book of Matthew had on my life, all I kept saying was “WOW”. For the 1st time I read in black and white print, what Jesus thought and said about the sinful lifestyle I was living. I can remember looking up in the sky and asking him if he was real, and if he could help me. Little by little he began to reveal himself to me - his unfailing tender love, and most of all my need for a savior.
3) Jesus Christ has changed my life completely. I am not the person I used to be. Jesus has changed my old desires and given me a hunger and thirst to seek his face and to walk in a way that pleases his heart. He fills my heart with great joy and hope - I know that he is real, that he loves me and will never let me go.
2) Mary Scanion – Healing the Scars of Rejection ..Abuse and neglect left Mary with little hope for a future, and she used drugs to cope with the pain. After ending up in jail, she attended a prayer meeting that sparked a desire to know Jesus more. When she returned to her cell, with a sincere prayer, Jesus met her there and she has never been the same. Through God’s mercy and favor, her children were returned to her and God is doing amazing things in her family. Sorry – I’m not sure how to send you the link.
3) I think people in general think that Christianity is a “religion”. You said it so well, “It is my relationship with the living Christ which has helped me, not religion.”
God has made such wonderful changes in you Bea! You have a great story to share.
Delete1. Before I came to Christ I had a lot of stress building in my life. I was transitioning between high school and college, my parents were going through a divorce and I had been going in and out of dating relationships, one of which was emotionally abusive. I was constantly feeling bitter, tired, frustrated, confused, completely overemotional and mentally exhausted. When I came to Christ I felt his love immediately melt my heart. I started to crave more insight of who Jesus was. During mentoring The Lord removed a lot of resentment, allowed me to forgive a lot of people and gave me a sense of purpose. Because of a new life in Christ I found my motivation again and I have compassion for people that I haven’t felt in a long time. I truly believe in the power of Christ now!
ReplyDelete2. The Testimony of Jay Cardiello really stood out to me since I also was a runner with an injury. I love how it addresses that God is the only sufficient way to fill us with satisfaction. Even if we have good intentions with our plans, if we’re only living for ourselves and not for Christ we will continue to feel that separation from contentment because our souls naturally crave The Lord’s love and presence.
3. My favorite part is on page 35 when it says “we need to go to the bible to discover who Jesus really is.” So many people question where they stand in their faith in Christ but look past the Bible! Some rely on others opinions but not on the Truth given in the Word of God. There is so much to be learned by reading, that’s why it is known as the living word.
So happy for your salvation and transformation in Christ Socorro!
DeleteSocorro, God is doing an amazing work in your life and your story is one, only you can tell - great job, faithful servant :)
ReplyDelete1. Before knowing Christ I was insecure and lonely. At 17, I felt I needed other things to fill me and define me. I remember I was coming home from the club and my friend showed up to pick me up for church. I was tired, smelled like smoke, and looked horrible. I spent many years being double minded after that until God really spoke to me and said enough is enough. Today, I'm still growing and found all my needs in Him. He has given me a new purpose.
ReplyDelete2. The video that most caught my attention was Naeem Fazal: "A Muslim's earnest prayer". I was touched by the fact that Christ will meet us where we're at and He answers. That all we have to do is ask and He will reveal to us the love and peace that only He can bring. It really shows that anything is possible with God and even the strongest strongholds are broken if we just ask God to be set free.