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Sometimes we complicate the simplest things in life.
Telling your friends about Christ can be the most natural thing in the world when you’ve experienced the power of His
love in your life. The last time you bought a really cool CD or got an A on a final, did you think twice about sharing the
good news? |
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How much more natural could it be to tell someone the
great news that you’ve found out God loves you and that Jesus can save you? What a normal thing to pass that exciting
info on to those you care about. |
Live It!
Telling people about Jesus can be simple and natural; you don’t need to break
it down into a formula or “three steps” (though sometimes that’s helpful). When Jesus said “Go and
make disciples,” He didn’t give His followers a bunch of tracts to pass out. Their lives were the tracts!
We see in those disciples that a bold witness for the Good News of Jesus starts with
living radically close to Christ Himself. Your changed life and love for others will speak loudly to the audience around you.
Plant yourself firmly in God’s Word, spend time daily in His presence through prayer, and you won’t be able to
hide His light within you. Talking about Him will become second nature!
Say It!
It’s true that actions often do speak louder than words, but words are a must
if the world is to know the Truth. And God has called you (yes, you) to be His mouthpiece on this planet.
Pray But where do I begin?
you might be thinking. It all starts with Jesus. First, get your focus on Him; He gives you confidence to speak boldly in
His name. Next, ask God for opportunities to share your faith, and pray for the people in your life who you’d really
like to come to know Jesus.
Ask Then, when the opportunities
to talk about Jesus come along (and they will), try asking two key questions: “Do you believe you’re going to
heaven?” and “Why?” Often people will answer “yes” to the first question because they believe
they’re good and that good works are their ticket to Heaven. But the Bible says that won’t get you there.
Explain Our Need Try to help
your friend understand why a mostly good life isn’t good enough:
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God is totally good and perfectly holy.
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Humans are self-centered, rebellious and totally corrupt.
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It’s impossible for this perfect God to live with sinful people.
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Separated from God, all humans are bound for hell—God’s just punishment
for sin. And since all have sinned, we all deserve that punishment.
Share His Loving Answer God,
however, in His great love, made another way for each of us to have an eternal relationship with Him and to experience the
amazing life He longs to give us. That way is Jesus Christ, God in the flesh.
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Jesus is our way of escape from hell and into eternal life with God. He lived without
ever doing anything wrong. He always spoke the truth, loving, serving, forgiving and healing people.
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His death made it possible for us to go to heaven! While we were still sinners, He
died for us. On that cross, every sin of every person in all of time was placed on Him. He suffered mockery, beatings and
an excruciating death for us. He did it in our place. Though totally innocent, He took the punishment we deserved.
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He’s alive, and you can live with Him too! Three days after His death, Jesus
rose from the dead, showed Himself to His disciples, and went back to heaven to be with the Father.
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Trusting in Him will bring you into an eternal relationship with God. Good works
can’t get you there—only turning to Jesus.
Count It!
Jesus told us to make disciples. Salvation is a free gift from God, but following
Jesus costs everything we’ve got. If the person you’re talking to decides to give his or her life to Christ, you’ll
both have a price of commitment to pay.
The cost to you comes in keeping in touch with your friend after he joins the family
of God—inviting him to your youth group, communicating by phone or e-mail, doing a Bible study together, being a friend.
If you just won’t be able to stay in touch, take some responsibility for helping him find a church where he can find
that kind of discipleship.
Remember, Jesus was real with people. He never acted high and mighty toward others,
nor did He act scared about His message of love. You can conquer fear and pride by following His example.
You hold the cure to the world’s fatal disease. You have the key to the door
that the lost are desperately banging their heads against! Whether you’ve known the Lord for two weeks or 12 years,
you have what it takes to tell the good news. You have Jesus, and He is your strength!
