Starting Out - Sharing the Good News (Study 9)

Sharing the Good News

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Think back over how you were saved. Do you remember the people, events and circumstances that influenced you? What were they? Write them down:

1. THE INSTRUMENTS GOD USES IN CONVERSION

a) GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit convicts people of sin:

John 16:7-8 (NKJV)
Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away;
for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement:

What do you think is meant by this passage?

The Holy Spirit’s saving activity is unseen like the wind:

John 3:8
The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it,
but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes.
So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

What do you think is meant by this passage?

b) GOD’S WORD: THE BIBLE

The Spirit of God uses God’s word to bring about the rebirth:

1 Peter 1:23 (NKJV)
having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible,
through the word of God which lives and abides forever,

What do you think is meant by this passage?

The Bible leads us to faith in Christ:

John 20:31
but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ,
the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

The preached word is the Spirit’s sword (Ephesians 6:17) to cut men’s hearts:

Acts 2:37 (NKJV)
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart,
and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles,
"Men and brethren, what shall we do?"

What do you think is meant by this passage?

c) GOD’S PEOPLE: THE CHURCH

Jesus has told the Church to spread the Gospel everywhere:

Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV)
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;
and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

Some people are specially gifted for this:

Ephesians 4:11 (NKJV)
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

What do you think is meant by this passage?

However, we all have a part to play in sharing the Gospel — but how?

2. WAYS IN WHICH YOU CAN SHARE THE GOSPEL

a) TESTIFYING to what God has done for you:

Compare:
John 9:25 (NIV)
He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"

With:
Acts 26:12-18 (NKJV)
"While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' So I said, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'

What do you think is meant by these passages?

b) INVITING others to meet Jesus by bringing them to hear the Gospel of Jesus proclaimed:

John 4:28-30 (NKJV)
The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men,
"Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?"
Then they went out of the city and came to Him.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

c) GIVING towards those who preach the Gospel:

Philippians 4:16 (NKJV)
For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

d) PRAYING that doors would be opened for the Gospel message:

Colossians 4:3 (NKJV)
meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word,
to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,

What do you think is meant by this passage?

3. HINTS ON HOW TO SHARE THE GOSPEL

a) BE READY.

Christians have every reason to be happy in Christ. Should anyone challenge you, or ask why you are joyful, you should be ready to tell them:

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone
who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
But do this with gentleness and respect,

What do you think is meant by this passage?

b) BE CLEAR.

If you are speaking to someone about Christ have a clear outline of the Gospel in your mind - refer to our first study "Becoming A Christian".

This will also keep your testimony anchored in the facts of the Gospel rather than on your "experience", which may not be repeated in the other person’s life.

c) BE BOLD.

Nearly everyone is nervous about sharing their faith directly. For that reason, we need to support and encourage one another. Pray for the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives boldness:

Acts 4:31 (NIV)
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

d) BE DETERMINED.

Sharing the Gospel with others is hard work. But the hardest part is getting started! However, the day will come when God will use your witness to help somebody find Christ — just as other Christians were used to help you along the way. His power, not our cleverness, is what counts. Never give up — your effort is not in vain:

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you.
Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,
because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.

What do you think is meant by this passage?

REVIEW:

This study has shown that there are many ways in which we can share together in spreading the Gospel. It is important that everyone should be prepared to speak out when the opportunity is there.

If God uses you to lead someone to Christ, do remember that new-born babies need to be cared for, and so do new-born Christians! Do your best to encourage the new believer in prayer and Bible Study, and introduce him, or her, to the church family.

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