5 Press On to Becoming a Contagious Christian (B.L.E.S.S) - Dave Ferguson

In the book Becoming a Contagious Christian, the author shares a letter written by a relatively new Christian to the person whose life had influenced hers so greatly. In the letter, she mentions several qualities she found to be contagious. Read what she wrote:

You know when we met; I began to discover a new vulnerability, a warmth, and a lack of pretense that impressed me. I saw in you a thriving spirit—no signs of internal stagnation anywhere. I could tell you were a growing person and I liked that. I saw you had strong self-esteem, not based on the fluff of self-help books, but on something a whole lot deeper. I saw that you lived by convictions and priorities and not just by convenience, selfish pleasure, and financial gain. And I had never met anyone like that before. I felt a depth of love and concern as you listened to me and didn’t judge me. You tried to understand me, you sympathized and you celebrated with me, you demonstrated kindness and generosity—and not just to me, but to other people, as well. And you stood for something. You were willing to go against the grain of society and follow what you believed to be true, no matter what people said, and no matter how much it cost you. And for those reasons and a whole host of others, I found myself really wanting what you had. Now that I’ve become a Christian, I wanted to write to tell you I’m grateful beyond words for how you lived out your Christian life in front of me.

Who wouldn’t want to receive a letter like that? In this lesson, we are going to examine what it looks like for each of us to Live Contagiously. As we see in this letter, it was how the life was lived that made the difference. It was a life that pointed to Jesus. Just think what would happen if every week thousands of men lived a contagious life — a life that is consistent with the gospel they embrace and a life that is prepared to share what God has done and desires to do in others’ lives? Our communities, country, and the world would never be the same!

Warm-Up Question:

Share with the group who was most influential in your coming to Christ. Why were they so influential?

What are some barriers to sharing your story and God’s story with others?

Bible Study

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explains to the disciples what Kingdom living is all about, what life looks like when it comes under the gracious rule of God. He says everything about your life will be different: your character, motives, relationships, ambitions, piety, love, and priorities. In our passage today, Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus lets the disciples know that their influence in the world will be different as well.

Read Matthew 5:13-16

Discussion Questions

Why would Jesus use the terms “salt and light” to describe a Christian’s influence in the world?

What are the “good deeds” that He is referring to in verse 16? What are some practical ways you can demonstrate the love of Christ to your neighbors?

What are the dangers He refers to in this passage as it relates to being a contagious Christian?

“It is the duty of every Christian to be Christ to his neighbor.” —Martin Luther

Talk by Dave Ferguson

Listen to the talk by Dave Ferguson entitled, “B.L.E.S.S.” given at the 2022 No Regrets Men’s Conference. It can be found on the No Regrets app under Conference Media/2022 Platform talks.

Dave Ferguson is an award-winning author, founding, and lead pastor of Chicago’s Community Christian Church, a missional multi-site community considered one of the most influential churches in America. Dave is also the visionary for the international church-planting movement NewThing and president of the Exponential Conference. He is married to Sue and they have three children, Amy, Josh and Caleb.

Notes:

Discussion Questions

Who are the neighbors in your life? Who are you praying for?

What are the 3 aspects of a meaningful spiritual conversation that people are looking for?

How can you improve your listening skills? Share any bible verses or examples from Jesus of good listening.

1 Peter 3:15 says to be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you about the hope you have. How might you improve your story to be more relatable to those you are praying for?

What’s your next step to take or practice for you to adopt from the B.L.E.S.S. model?

How did this talk alter your view of evangelism?

Each man share one application from the study today.

Sharing and Prayer Time

Would anyone like to share an answer to a prayer from last week? What is one thing that the group can pray about for you this week?

Pray that each person in your group develops lives that are contagious to the world and are sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading them to meet the needs around them.

Read Colossians 4:2-4 before you pray.

Assignment for Next Week

For next week you will be listening to the talk given by Efrim Smith at the 2022 No Regrets Men’s conference. The talk was entitled: “Marriage: Built to Last” and can be found on the No Regrets App under conference media, 2022 Platform speakers. There is a place for notes in Lesson Six.

*The app will not necessarily save your fill-in notes. Please click on email and email the lesson with your notes to yourself.

We need to let our stories be windows. Then people will see through us and through our stories to Christ. —J. Mack Stiles