Your Story; the Story

This week you’ll have an opportunity to develop your testimony, and discover some ways you can engage your story with lost friends and family.

DAY 1
Read Acts 21:37-40
Paul returns to Jerusalem. The Jewish leaders stir up a hornet’s nest of lies and innuendo against Paul. A crowd becomes a mob and seizes him. The crowd seeks to kill him. Word reaches the Roman authorities and troops are dispatched, saving Paul from death.

Paul takes the opportunity to speak to everyone.
1. If you were Paul what would you say?

Read Acts 22:1-5.
2. Paul is speaking largely to a hostile, Jewish mob. Paul was born a Jew, raised in Judaism, and became a famous Jewish teacher. He begins by identifying with the Jewish people. List at least five things he did in his pre-Christian days that would have “made sense” to his Jewish audience.

3. What effect would this have in most conversations?

4. Think of Paul’s story, so far, as his PRE-STORY, life before he became a Christian. What are some elements in your PRE-STORY?
___ Religious.      ___ Irreligious?              ___ “Good kid”
___ Partier           ___ “I can handle it”      ___ Lookin’ for love
___ Tryin’ to be “somebody”                         ___ Lookin’ for fun
___ Other: ________________________________________________________
___ Other: ________________________________________________________

5. When you think about sharing how you came to Christ with your friends, how can you use Paul’s method of identifying with his audience?

6. Write down one name of someone you know. What have you had in common with them, at some time in your life?

DAY 2
Read Acts 22:6-16
Yesterday we looked at Paul’s PRE-STORY. Today we look at his CONVERSION STORY.
1. Paul shares with his Jewish audience how he came to faith in Jesus. He begins with Jesus’ appearing on the Damascus road. What effect should that have had on the Jewish audience? What did the Jewish leaders believe had happened to Jesus? How would His appearing to Paul have struck the Jewish leaders?

2. Paul realized Jesus of Nazareth was speaking to him! Jesus was not dead, but resurrected, just as Christians he had persecuted had claimed. What effect did that have on Paul? (v. 10)

3. What were the important pieces in your coming to faith in Jesus Christ?
___ Something was missing      ___ I realized I had sinned against God and people
___ I needed forgiveness            ___ I realized God loved me (like no one else could)
___ Jesus DIED for me!             ___ I was looking for inner joy/ inner peace
___ Other: _____________________________________________

4. When did you understand Jesus needed to be “Lord” in your life?

5. What were some of the first things you submitted to the lordship of Christ?

6. If you are going to share your faith, you must be clear about how you came to faith in Christ. What were the core essentials for you? Jot down a few words next to each of the following concepts:
* Understanding you were a sinner–
* Understanding your need of forgiveness by God–
* Understanding the death of Jesus on the cross paid for you sins–
* Understanding that repentance meant you were turning over the “reins” of your life from you to Jesus–
 DAY 3
On Day 1, we looked at how Paul shared his PRE-STORY before coming to faith in Jesus. On Day 2, we looked at Paul’s conversion CONVERSION STORY. Today, we’ll look at his POST-STORY. A post-story is simply what God has done in your life since you came to Christ.
Read Acts 22:17-21
1. Once again, Paul shares things from his post-conversion story, items which his audience would have appreciated. What are they?

2. What are items in your POST-STORY? What are things God has done in your life since you became a Christian?
Put a check next to items that are most pertinent to your story:
___ Love             ___ Self-control                    ___ Freedom from guilt
___ Joy               ___ Meaning to your life     ___ Becoming more responsible
___ Peace           ___ Purpose                           ___ Managing your personal life
___ Patience      ___ Dealing with anger       ___ Personal freedom from bad habits
___ Kindness    ___ Dealing with fear           ___ Your life can make a difference
___ Other: _____________________________________________
___ Other: _____________________________________________

3. Are there any lost people in your life who have not heard any part of your story?

4. Is there someone who would like to hear your POST-story?

5. Ask God to give you opportunities to share with one person. Remember, Paul’s POST-story was just a few sentences, not a sermon! :-)

DAY 4
We have focused on your PRE-story, your CONVERSION story, and your POST-story.
However, in trying to share your faith, STARTING with your story is usually not a good idea.
People are far more interested in:
• Telling their story rather than hearing someone else’s.
• Being cared about rather than caring for someone.
• Talking rather than listening
Additionally, some people are leery of having the gospel “shoved down their throat.” They want to know you care about them.
Read 1 Thessalonians 2:6-12
1. Paul spent three weeks at Thessalonica, starting a church, and turning it over to the new believers. He reminds them of the relationship he established with them, the process of sharing his faith with them. In the following verses, describe the nature of the relationship
v. 6-

v. 7-

v. 8-

v. 9-

v. 10-

v. 11-

v. 12-

2. What strikes you about Paul’s approach? Is it different than what you assumed was an “evangelistic” approach?

3. Are there any people that come to mind, in how you should relate to them like Paul did?

 

DAY 5
When we think about evangelism, we usually think about sharing the gospel, all at one time. It rarely happens that way. It is usually a friendship, over time, with little bits of truth shared, pieces of your pre-story, your conversion story, or your post-story.
But before we share our story, we usually need to listen to other people’s “story” first! If you care about people’s story they will usually feel like you care about them.
Read Proverbs 18:13
1. What errors can we avoid by listening.

Read Colossians 4:4-6
2. Paul describes his approach to lost people. What do these verses say about:
* Prayer–
* How you should act–
* How you should relate–

Read Acts 1:8
3. Jesus tells His followers that we will be “witnesses.” “Witness” can have a negative connotation.
If you were in a courtroom and asked to be a “witness” what would you be expected to do? What would you not be expected to do?

4. Apply these same ideas to lost people around you. You give “witness” to what YOU have seen or heard, what has been done to you by God.

5. Pray for a handful of lost people you know. Use Paul’s prayer request from Colossians 4:4-6.