Stories of Sharing
I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love;
I love to tell the story, because I know 'tis true,
It satisfies my longings as nothing else would do.
This song reminds us that it is a joy and privilege to share the Good News of Jesus with another. In these pages, you will read of how God used regular, ordinary people to share with another what Jesus means to them.
The Southeastern District has set a goal of sharing the Good News of Jesus with 2.5 million people by 2017. While that may seem to be an incredible number of witness events, if each of us told 4-6 people per year, we would surpass the goal. Pray for the opportunity to tell others about the grace and love of God who so desires a living relationship with each of his children.
Faith –sharing Resources
Check out the SED Faith Sharing stories blog to read about the many ways people are sharing Jesus. Be sure to add your own faith-sharing stories so that others may be encouraged for this joyful service of sharing Jesus with others.
¬ 50 Days Ablaze Devotion by Rev. Barry J. Keurulainen “Learn Who Matters to God”
¬ ABCs of Faith Sharing Moments: Practical Suggestions for Everyday Witnessing
¬ Ablaze Friend – Prayer Card
¬ Three Keys for Sharing Christ with Others by Rev. Jerry Kosberg: Bible Study Leader’s Guide
¬ Three Keys for Sharing Christ with Others by Rev. Jerry Kosberg: Bible Study, Participant’s Guide
¬ Witnessing Without Words by Dr. Joel Lehenbauer: Bible Study, Leader’s Guide
¬ Witnessing Without Words by Dr. Joel Lehenbauer: Bible Study, Participant’s Guide
¬ More faith-sharing resources are availabe on the Ablaze Resource page
We know that faith-sharing is not about numbers and about reaching a daily goal of telling people about Jesus. Faith sharing is simply letting what we know to be truth shine out in our every action. We who have experienced the abundance of God’s love, grace, and forgiveness have no other response than to let it flow from us so that others might also experience Jesus. Setting a goal, counting, not only says we are making it a priority, it also provides opportunity to encourage those who want to share their faith in Jesus but are not certain how they might do that.
Be encouraged to tell what Jesus is doing for you. Let others see that you love the Living Lord not just some theoretical version of God. Don’t be afraid to tell, for the power to do comes from the Holy Spirit and the power to change another’s life comes through the Holy Spirit working in them.
We will be posting a weekly faith-sharing story on this page. You will witness very simple moments of opportunity used by very regular people to share Jesus. You, too, have these faith-sharing opportunities in your daily journey – let God use you in those moments and may they be Holy Spirit blessed.
Please email your experiences – we would love to share them.
Simple Steps of Faith-sharing:
These simple steps of encouragement for faith-sharing come to us via The Lutheran Hour Ministry:
· Share from your heart.
· Tell your story – over and over and over. You may not see it but it is powerful beyond words. To quote Peter, “Joy unspeakable and full of glory…”
· Listen to his invitations – you will know how to proceed. Of the tens of thousands I have shared with one on one, I have rarely used the same imagery twice. But you do what works for you. With his invitations comes his equipping for the moment – every time.
· Walk through every door Jesus opens for you – scratch that – walk through every tiny crack in the door jam and see what God does in blessing your upcoming conversations of love and truth.
