Reach Out...Don't Freak Out

If you have grown up in the church, you are probably quite familiar with the idea of sharing your faith. We read about it in books like Acts, we are taught to do it in church, and even Jesus chose to use one of his last conversations with his followers to command them to do it (Matthew 28). But for most of us, if we were honest, we would probably have to say that we haven't been following through in sharing our faith...

Many of us have reasons, some legit, of why we struggle to follow this command of Jesus. Not knowing what others will think or what to say are reasons that tend to top all of our lists. And even though these are legit concerns, could it be that there are deeper reasons why we struggle to pass on these life-changing truths? Could it be that at the core, we have forgotten the power behind the message? Could it be that the beauty of the cross and empty tomb have just become stories for us, instead of daily reminders of the life-changing truth of God's love for us? In scripture we see two types of people, those who don't know the life-changing message of Jesus, and those who do and have been forever changed by it, and who live to tell others about this same message- the GOSPEL- the Good News! But the truth is, if you looked around the church today, you would see a third group of people that has evolved...those who claim to know this life-changing message, yet aren't as passionate about spreading it's truths to a lost world...they tend to just "float" through life, in the in-between of these two other groups...(just so you know, I struggle daily to escape being a part of this third group...).

During the next four weeks, we want to tackle some of the biggest issues that we tend to have, especially as teens, of sharing the truth of what Jesus has done for us. Each week, as we focus on a particular skill in sharing our faith, we will wrap that skill around the truth that we must be transformed from the inside out. Students will be challenged to look within their lives...to their core, to make an honest assessment of where they stand with this life-changing message. Our prayer is that they will learn to reach out, not out of obligation, but out of passion-filled love for what Jesus has already done and continues to do daily in their own lives! It is a life-changing message, so lets reach out...

Week 1: "Just Ask"- March 27

During this first week, students will be challenged with the idea of bringing up Jesus in everyday conversations. How do we do it? What do we say? When is the right time? How do I react to their reactions? What is really on the line if I don't share Jesus with them?

Parent Cue

Talk about your struggles as an adult in sharing Jesus with those you come in contact with. What are your fears? What are some past experiences that you have had in sharing your faith? Read Ephesians 6:19-20 together as a family. What comfort do you get from knowing that even Paul needed boldness to share Christ? Pray together as a family for boldness.

Week 2: "Sharing Your Faith With Style"- April 3

For many of us, we get bummed out about sharing our faith because we think there is only one way to do it. Whether that one way be a style or an age limit, we tend to shy away because we automatically don't place ourselves in that style range. But what if God, in creating us as unique individuals, has created unique ways for us to share his love with others?

Parent Cue

When are you most comfortable talking about Jesus with others? Are you bold? Funny? Caring/Relational? Or Logical? How comforting is it to know that we don't have to become someone else to share Jesus, but rather that God can use us just as He created us?

Week 3: "Mastering the Basics"- April 17

So what is the message of the Good News of Jesus? How do we know what to say? During this week, students will be taught an easy way to remember the core Gospel message, so that when they are sharing it with their friends, it can become a natural part of their conversation.

Parent Cue

If you were to define what the GOSPEL is, how would you define it? How does the Gospel relate to everyday life?

Week 4: "The CAUSE"- May 1

For Jesus, his CAUSE on earth was to seek and save those who were lost (Luke 19:10). Jesus invites us to take part in this CAUSE with him, but not only in sharing our faith, but by making disciples, who make disciples of others. During this last week, students will be encouraged to think of 3 people that they feel God wants them to pursue in making disciples of Jesus.

Parent Cue

How would you define the word disciple-making? How is it different from evangelism or sharing your faith? Make a list of causes going on in the world today, together as a family (hunger, poverty, health, etc...). How is Jesus' cause different from these causes? How does Jesus' cause effect all of these other causes?