CREDO what we believe Membership Vows Prayers Presence
CREDO: what we believe
Membership Vows • • Prayers Presence Gifts Service • Witness
Bible Study: John 1: 35 -49 35 The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for? ” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying? ” 39 He said to them, “Come and see. ” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon.
Bible Study: John 1: 35 -49 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). 42 He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).
Bible Study: John 1: 35 -49 43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me. ” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth. ” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth? ” Philip said to him, “Come and see. ” 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me? ” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you. ” 49 Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”
Bible Study: John 1: 35 -49 • Scripture—write down the verse God has impressed on you during your reading. • Observation—write down what the lesson is for you this day • Application—write how this lesson applies to your life • Prayer—write a prayer to God concerning this lesson and your life • Yield—what must you yield in your life for this lesson to become alive in you?
Bible Study: John 1: 35 -49 • Jesus asks a question: “What are you looking for? ” • Jesus gives an invitation: “Come and see. ” • Andrew gives an invitation. • Jesus says, “Follow me. ” • Philip invites Nathanael to “come and see. ” • No pressure. Simple invitations: Follow Me, Come and See. • And at the very beginning, a witness…
Witness • What comes to mind when you think “witness” or “evangelism”? • How do those words make you feel?
Witness • Witness = martyr – With your whole life • Consider the courtroom…Witnesses are simply called to describe their own experience – Tell your story – Trust the Holy Spirit
What’s your story? – HOMEWORK: In around 200 words, try to tell the story of how you came to follow Jesus. Why? – Who brought you to faith? How? – If you came to faith at a young age or grew up in the church, how has that shaped the way you have lived? – What difference has Jesus made in your life?
Invitational Evangelism Is – Relational; a personal witness – Sharing our story when invited to do so – Listening to other people’s stories; creating conversations – An invitation to join the body of Christ
Invitational Evangelism Is – Forcing people to. NOT hear your story – Converting people (only the Holy Spirit can do that!) – Scaring the hell out of people*
Ideas for Invitational – Begin with Evangelism friendship – Listen. – Know your story. – Offer the invitation. – Trust the Spirit.
Ideas for Invitational – Begin with Evangelism friendship No one wants to be manipulated. Evangelism that is Christ-like begins in honest, nonmanipulative, life-giving relationships.
Ideas for Invitational Evangelism – Listen. Jesus began with a question: “What are you looking for? ” Are you at least as interested in listening to another person’s story assharing your own?
Ideas for Invitational – Know your Evangelism story. You are not sent out to argue a case, but to tell what you’ve heard, seen, experienced. Can you tell the story of your relationship with Jesus that is clear, simple, and concise?
Ideas for Invitational Evangelism – Offer the invitation. The invitation is as simple as “come and see”, “follow me”, or “come with me. ”
Ideas for Invitational Evangelism – Trust the Spirit. We believe in prevenient grace, that God is already at work in a person’s life. You are not taking Christ to another person. Christ is already there. You are joining the conversation.
Evangelism Styles – Intellectual (“apologetics”) – Confrontational (not argumentative or angry) – Testimonial (what we have seen) – Interpersonal – Invitational – Serving (let your light shine)
Good News – What is the good news the disciples experienced? – What is the good news you have experienced? – What is your story?
Next Week Commit to the ministries of this church by your: • Prayers • Presence • Financial Gifts • Service, and • Witness
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