Don’t forget when you’re done taking notes to click the “email” button at the bottom to save your message notes and email them to yourself!
Introduction:
How do we love our neighbors as ourselves? When God’s love transforms us, we can’t help but want others to experience the same love, grace, and freedom we enjoy through Christ. But how do we share that love with others without scaring them away or offending them? For most Christians, “evangelism” is a scary and intimidating word. What if there was a more organic, authentic way to share our faith with our friends, neighbors, and coworkers?
“Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” —Romans 13:8
Together, we can learn to be a blessing in our neighborhoods and to those around us. We were made to B.L.E.S.S. others. If we can live out the love of God where we are, we will see those around us experience the blessings God promised long ago.
In this collection, we will discover 5 everyday ways to love our neighbors and change the world:
June 1st/4th - Begin with Prayer
June 8th/11th - Listen to the Holy Spirit
June 15th/18th - Engage and Eat
June 22nd/25th - Serve Them
June 29th/July 2nd - Share Your Story
Text: John 9:20-27 (CSB, New Testament)
Today’s Takeaway: To bless our neighbors, Jesus invites us to share our story.
Week 5 - Share Your Story
I.
PEOPLE DON’T SHARE THEIR STORY
A. Reason #1: I just don’t have what it
B. Reason #2: I don’t want to impose my
C. Reason #3: Sharing my story makes me feel
“But my righteous one will live by faith; and if he draws back, I have no pleasure in him.” —Hebrews 10:38
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. 17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.” —Romans 1:16-17
Life Application: Be
II.
YOU CAN SHARE YOUR STORY
A.
Where were you spiritually before receiving Christ, and how did that affect you – your feelings, attitudes, actions, and relationships?
What caused you to begin thinking about Jesus?
B.
What realization did you come to that finally motivated you to receive Christ?
How specifically did you receive Christ?
C.
How did your life begin to change after you trusted Christ?
What other benefits have you experienced since becoming a Christian?
“Let the redeemed of the Lord proclaim that he has redeemed them from the power of the foe.” —Psalms 107:2
“Come and listen, all who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for me.” —Psalms 66:16
D.
Life Application: Be
III.
FOR PREPARING YOUR STORY
A. Ask God for
B. Be
C. Keep it
D. Keep it
E. Memorize it and
“Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good? 14But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear them or be intimidated, 15but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. 16Yet do this with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are accused, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame. 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” —1 Peter 3:13-17
Life Application: Be
CONCLUSION: Who do you need to B.L.E.S.S. this week?
DEEP DIVES:
What is your favorite story of all time? It could be a book, movie, or bedtime story from when you were a child.
Which of the reasons for not sharing your story from point #1 do you relate to most?
Read John 9:1-11. How would you have felt if you were the man who was blind since birth and suddenly could see? How would you explain what happened?
If you have one, share your story of how you came to know Jesus as Savior using the Before, During, and After template from this message.
