Faith Conversations - Next Steps
Part of Basic Training - Next Steps
September 20, 2020

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Basic Training - Faith Conversations: Next Steps

Message Summary

Scripture commands believers to “… 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” (1 Peter 3:15b). Why, because unbelievers are unforgiven, trapped in a life of sin and purposelessness, and ultimately destined for Hell. Eternal life is the most important issue in anyone’s life. Even if a person seems to have it together and everything they want in this world and they lose their soul eternally, they really have nothing. Therefore, the most loving thing a believer can do for another human being is to share the Good News of forgiveness, purpose and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. Are you prepared? We communicate the message by our lifestyle (and our lifestyle message is unavoidable), by telling our faith story and by explaining the Gospel.

  1. Describe the last time you shared your faith with someone. Was it awkward, or did it flow naturally?

  2. What are some things that might prevent a believer from sharing his or her faith? How might they be overcome?

Consider This

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). God loves us so much that he sacrificially gave – beyond what we can comprehend – so we could be forgiven, healed and live with Him forever. If we “love our neighbors as ourselves,” (Matt 22:39), then we will have a passion to share the Good News so that they too can have forgiveness, purpose and eternal life.


1. There are many stories of disciples sharing their faith story in the NT. Read Mark 5:19-20. To whom did Jesus first send the man he had healed? (Verse 19)


2. What message was he instructed to tell?


3. Where else did the healed man share his faith? (V 20) Note that Decapolis means a 10 city region east of the Jordan River—his sphere of influence.


4. Where is your sphere of influence?


5. What was the Apostle Paul instructed to share with all men according to Acts 22:15?

What is Your Faith Story?

If you are a Christian, you have a faith story! What is it? First, it is the type of person you were, and then what led you to start searching for God and your conversion experience. Then it is the type of person you’ve become and what you are right now. Just talk about those things and you will have shared your faith story! It’s that simple.


Explaining The Gospel

There are four things about God, people and Jesus Christ that you need to be able to explain.

  1. God: God is the infinite, eternal Creator who wants a loving relationship with us. You can find this in Genesis 1. God is also therefore good (just) and loving. Read John 3:16 and explain who God is and what He is like in a few sentences. You may have other Scripture verses you want to add.

  2. People (or “us”): God made People in His image (Genesis 1). And He made us to love Him freely. But we’ve chosen to go our own way. The Bible calls this sin, and the result of sin is separation from God and spiritual death. Read Romans 3:23 and 6:23. Pastor John often equates sin to selfishness. How would you explain what sin is?

  3. Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ is the infinite God-Man who came to die on the cross to pay for our sins, to bring us to God. He rose from the dead, proving He was who He said He was. Read 1 Peter 3:18 and consider committing it to memory. Read John 14:6 and explain what that means in a sentence or two of your own.

  4. Faith: Faith is the final point to the gospel. Jesus is the way, but people must place faith in Him to be connected to the Just and Holy God. Faith means receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Leader of your life. Read John 1:12 and describe what it means to believe in Jesus. Add any other verses that you would like.

Moving Forward

The Part Prayer Plays in Sharing the Message. “2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Col. 4:2-6 NIV).


1. How do we pray? How often? (v2)


2. Who opens the doors of opportunity to share the message? (v3)


3. What helps us to share the message with clarity and grace? (V 4, 6)


4. What does it mean to “conduct ourselves with wisdom” towards unbelievers?


5. Whose responsibility is it to take the opportunity? (v5)


6. Write down the name (or names) of the person you will pray for an opportunity to share your faith story with this week.