MAIN POINT

Everyone who has put his or her faith in Jesus Christ has a testimony that someone needs to hear. We can share the gospel with others by being prepared and sharing our stories in dialogue. (JOHN 4:1-30; 1 PETER 3:15)

INTRODUCTION

DISCUSS

• Did anyone have an opportunity to share your testimony or have conversations about Jesus this past week? If so, what happened?

Answer the following questions in the quiz.

• Write a one-minute version of how you came to faith in Jesus (when you realised you were a sinner and needed salvation) and the main way He has changed your life. Share this with the class.

We’ve looked at why, when, and where to share the gospel. Last lesson we focused on your personal story was the first step in how to share the gospel. In this lesson, we’ll learn more about how to share the gospel conversationally.

DISCUSS

• Is the idea of sharing your faith as a dialogue instead of a monologue encouraging or intimidating? Why?
• Why is listening to people important in gospel conversations?

UNDERSTANDING

Watch Session 4: How to Share the Gospel by Greg Laurie at Lifeway Small Group (31 minutes) or Harvest Online Courses

Answer the following questions in the quiz.

Read John 4:1-30.

• What does this passage reveal about Jesus? About how to engage people?

DISCUSS

• What are some ways we avoid or isolate ourselves from culture? Why do we do this?
• What questions have you heard to side-track conversations into debates? What are appropriate responses when that happens?

The disciples didn’t understand why Jesus would talk to this woman. Clearly, He was “fishing.” After Jesus engaged her with a simple conversation about being thirsty and needing a drink, He said, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” (John 4:10, NIV).

• What are some questions you can ask to get to know people and what they value in order to share the gospel?
• Greg mentioned “chumming” while fishing. What statements can you use to test the waters and see if a person is spiritually interested?

This is a great way to engage people. Make a spiritual point and see if they respond. Throw out some truth and see if they bite. It’s not a trick but a testing of the waters, really, to gauge if they are curious or receptive. Perhaps mention that God answered a prayer for you, blessed you, or is your hope in the middle of chaotic times.

Read 1 PETER 3:15.

DISCUSS

• What instructions are given in 1 Peter 3:15? Which of these instructions do you find most challenging? Why?

When people ask hard questions about God and no one takes their questions seriously or provides them with good answers, it is understandable that they come to the conclusion that good answers to their questions must not exist.

Answer the following questions in the quiz.

1. What are two or three questions about faith you hope you will never be asked by a non-Christian because you would not know how to answer them?
2. How do you prepare to be ready as instructed in this verse?
   • Identify 3 relevant Christian sources to explore these questions.
   • Explain their relevance to preparing you to answer these questions.

Examples of referencing:

• Book: Author & Title. Example: Book – Reformation Questions, Reformation Answers: 95 Key Events, People, and Issues by Donald K. McKim
• Article: Title, Author, and Website. Example: Article – A Brief Defense of Infant Baptism https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevin-deyoung/a-brief-defense-of-infant-baptism/
• YouTube Clip: Title, Author, and Website. Example: YouTube Clip – Is infant baptism Biblical? by Bryan Wolfmueller. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZurA93_jNdc
• How often do you study your Bible? What have been helpful routines or ways of studying your Bible?

If you knew the questions in advance for an interview for your dream job, you would spend time preparing to respond well to those questions. The opportunity to remove an obstacle to faith in a person’s life is even more important than getting your dream job, so you need to take the time to be prepared.

DISCUSS

• How does it encourage you to know that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to evangelism?

Answer the following questions in the quiz.

• Identify a few objections or arguments you’ve heard people use to distract from a personal decision regarding the gospel.
• How could you respond to the objection in order to keep the focus on the gospel?