how to give away 

your faith

From the Author Meet with God

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If you’re puzzled by our theme this month, you’re not alone. What does it mean to “give away your faith”? Seeing the way many people approach evangelism, an observer might conclude that giving away your faith would be the same as giving up your faith. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, if we’re not sharing the Christian faith, there’s room to doubt whether we have it in the first place. Giving our faith away is like love; we end up with more of what we gave. And there is no greater way to express love for someone than to tell them what they need to know in order to live eternally in God’s presence. Ironically, we “keep our faith” by sharing it. It doesn’t really make sense to think we know Jesus Christ if we refuse to talk to anyone else about Him. Evangelism is one practice most Christians agree they ought to be doing, yet also admit they are not doing. What’s missing? Well, several things. That’s what we want to explore. How can we get serious about what Jesus asked us to do? How can we get beyond hesitation and procrastination and begin to share the Good News with those who have not yet heard it? Many of us put off sharing our faith because we think we don’t know enough. Most of us eventually admit we’re simply scared or don’t want to feel awkward. But Jesus’ command is too important to ignore. If we want to hear “Well done!” then we better find a way to get it done.



Curiosityy This week, remember who was inconvenienced to share the Gospel with you.

Readit

Luke 19:1–10

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

Zacchaeus was a tough man, but he was also curious. What other reason would there be for a very wealthy man to mingle with a crowd of people who knew and hated him? For what other reason would an adult, desperate to see over those blocking his view, rush to a sycamore tree and cling precariously above the road? Zacchaeus had heard about Jesus. He wanted to see for himself. Imagine his surprise when he discovered that Jesus was curious about him. As he hung from that branch, the last thing he expected to happen was to hear Jesus call him by name. Most of the crowd knew him—they were his resentful tax customers. But Jesus? Perhaps the first miracle of the day was that Zacchaeus managed not to fall out of the tree when Jesus stopped the parade to talk to him! How quickly the crowd’s mood changed. Hearing Jesus invite Himself to Zacchaeus’ house, they objected. We don’t know how



long Jesus stayed with Zacchaeus that day; but when He left, the chief tax-collector was a changed man. His values were changed; his priorities were rearranged; and his destiny was eternally altered. The crowd wanted to ignore and despise Zacchaeus, but Jesus saw him as a son of Abraham worth saving. So, He did! Whatever reason draws us to Jesus, we find more than we bargained for. He offers us more than we can imagine; He may ask more of us than we think we can give. Jesus sees us in the crowd. He takes advantage of our curiosity and uses it to enter our lives. When Jesus comes in, every other priority has to shift. Zacchaeus probably didn’t think when he got up that morning that he would give away most of his wealth by nightfall. But the gift of acceptance, forgiveness and eternal life turned Zacchaeus’ earthly life upside down. That day in Jericho hundreds, maybe thousands, showed up to take a look at Jesus. But Zacchaeus went out on a limb to see Jesus, and the Lord met him there. He still meets people like that every day. Once we’ve met Jesus ourselves, it’s time to invite others to climb out on the limb and meet Him too. If they are curious about Jesus, God can work with that!



considerit › What role does

curiosity play in your relationship with Jesus?

Applyit Besides Zacchaeus, there were two other groups in the crowd that day. One was made up of people who believed in Jesus (like the disciples). The other was made up of people who were more or less curious about Jesus. Notice that Jesus’ followers were silent. No one helped Zacchaeus into the tree. By not recognizing his curiosity, they missed out on the joy of participating in his change. How much joy do we miss by not pointing others to Jesus?

Expressit Apparently everyone saw Zacchaeus the same way that day except Jesus. We will never participate in sharing Christ until we begin to see people the way He sees them. Pray for the spiritual vision to see a lost world that is looking for salvation even when they don’t know it.



As you read luke 19:1–10, reflect on the following questions:

› Why didn’t Jesus

respond to the complaint of the crowd in verse 7?

› How did Zacchaeus

demonstrate his changed life to Jesus?

› If you were in Zacchaeus’ sandals, what would have affected you the most about this day?

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Entrusted rememberit

Readit

1. What was Zacchaeus’ profession? 2. What kind of tree did Zacchaeus climb? 3. How did the crowd respond when Zacchaeus met Jesus? 4. What portion of his goods did Zacchaeus give to the poor? 5. Who came to seek and save the lost?

seekit

Go deeper into your study of this week’s lesson.

Acceptance: Psalm 86:1–5

Answers: 1. Chief tax collector (publican) (Luke 19:2); 2. Sycamore (Luke 19:4); 3. They complained (murmured) (Luke 19:7); 4. Half (Luke 19:8); 5. The Son of Man (Luke 19:10)



1 Thessalonians 1:1–10

For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake (1 Thess. 1:5).

This week, reflect on how much value you place on knowing the good news about Jesus.

What does the word entrusted mean to you? When you think about this word, does the memory of the first time you were allowed to drive the family car come to mind? Perhaps the word describes your feelings when you were given a family heirloom or got to make a special journey on your own. The people of Thessalonica had a vivid story to go with their understanding of entrusted. The apostle Paul had entrusted them with his most precious possession—the Gospel. Paul planted a church in Thessalonica around A.D. 49. The Gospel was well-received by many in the city, but others saw their power and prestige threatened by the message—so, they drove Paul out. He had to leave the Good News in the hands of people who had only recently heard it themselves. He entrusted them as young believers both to keep the faith and share it.



considerit › How are these

verses a glimpse of God the Threein-One at work?

As you read 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10, reflect on

› In what ways does Paul use faith, hope and love to describe the lives of those believers?

› How easy was it for the Thessalonians to become believers (v. 6)?

Months later, Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to check on the church. He returned to Paul with a glowing report. The believers were standing firm. Paul could write to them the encouraging news that their faith was having a wide effect. Their example was being used to strengthen other believers and bring many others to faith in Christ. They had proven themselves worthy of trust. All of this was a tribute to God’s work in the world. The Gospel proved to be more than words. It had (and has) lifetransforming power and an assurance that is evidence of the Holy Spirit’s activity within us. Everywhere Paul looked he saw examples of the Gospel at work, sometimes arriving ahead of his team, readying people to respond to the invitation to trust Christ. (See 1 Thess. 1:8.) These events later caused Paul to tell the Romans “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation” (Rom. 1:16). Imagine a conversation between you and the person who first introduced you to Jesus. How long has it been? More important, what has happened since that encounter? If you became a follower of Jesus, you were entrusted with His presence in your life. What kind of host have you been? When others have passed through your life, have you introduced them to your most important guest?

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the following questions:

› Describe one way you have passed on the Gospel to someone else.

Applyit Think of the Gospel as the truth by which you live. Think of it as a trust you have been given to share with others. And think of it as a task you can carry out with God’s help. The world is looking for answers. No, they don’t always receive the Gospel with open arms, but Christians who share are delighted with how readily many do turn to Christ. Look for a way to share Christ with someone this week.

Expressit The apostle Paul prayed for people before he spoke to them and after he spoke to them. A good starting place for evangelism is praying for the people we know who don’t know Christ. Heartfelt prayer for another will often loosen our lips to share with them.

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rememberit 1. Who, besides Paul and Timothy, wrote this letter to the Thessalonians? 2. How frequently does Paul give thanks to God regarding the Thessalonians? 3. What came to them in power and in the Holy Spirit? 4. The Thessalonians were examples to believers in what two regions? 5. Who delivers from the wrath to come?

seekit

Go deeper into your study of this week’s lesson.

Witnessing: Matthew 9:35–38 Acts 1:6–11

Paul in Thessalonica: Acts 17:1–9

Answers: 1. Silvanus (1 Thess. 1:1); 2. Always (1 Thess. 1:2); 3. The Gospel (1 Thess. 1:5); 4. Macedonia and Achaia (1 Thess. 1:8); 5. Jesus (1 Thess. 1:10)

____________________________________________________ Apply it ____________________________________________________ Most of the physical landmarks that we deal with are part of ____________________________________________________ a long-standing but not eternal creation. But the truth of God’s Word stands for time and eternity. The directions God provides ____________________________________________________ (even the painful ones) give us a dependable route and effective ____________________________________________________ rules for living. If we’ve got God’s eternal landmarks in mind, ____________________________________________________ we’ll adopt a pilgrim mindset, never thinking of this world as our ____________________________________________________ permanent home. We will make it a habit to check God’s landmark presence every day for correction and encouragement. And we will ____________________________________________________ live by those instructions we find chiseled in the landmark of God’s ____________________________________________________ Word. ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Express it ____________________________________________________ Proverbs is filled with short landmark statements that provide ____________________________________________________ us with food for thought and reflection each day. Choose one of ____________________________________________________ the proverbs from today’s reading, and express it in a prayer. Ask God to keep bringing His words of direction to mind throughout ____________________________________________________ the days of your journey ahead. ____________________________________________________

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g Compassionate Evangelism This week, Acts 17:16–34 Readit practice Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and finding common said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious” (Acts 17:22). ground with the people you meet. In his book Eternity in Their Hearts, missionary author Don Richardson describes how often in history and throughout the world we can see the truth of Solomon’s observation revealed in exotic and isolated cultures: “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts” (Eccles. 3:11, emphasis added). God demonstrates His sovereignty over creation by maintaining a communication connection with every culture. Because the longing for eternity is in every person’s heart, all human cultures carry within them the capacity to receive the message of salvation. One of the frequent discoveries by missionary Bible translators is that the Scriptures written in a new language not only bring people to Christ, but the new culture brings an understanding to certain parts of Scripture that delight and teach the translator. Isolated or “primitive” cultures often share more in common with

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the culture of the Bible than our own culture does. There’s nothing quite like living in a mud hut or temporary shelter with people who know nothing else to open our eyes anew to the power of God’s Word. Richardson writes about that event in Athens as more than just Paul seeing a clever way to start his message. That simple altar dedicated to “the unknown god” may have had a historical connection to a plague that ravaged the city years before. None of their idols or “local” gods proved to have any power over the sickness. Apparently, a wise man suggested that they must be missing a god (truer words were never spoken). Eventually sheep were sacrificed on altars to the unknown god, and the city was saved. Paul may well have been referring to this historical event in his message. That day in Athens there was not an overwhelming response to Paul’s message. But some lives were changed. And the message was delivered with compassion, giving the hearers the best possible opportunity to listen and believe. Compassion doesn’t dump the message or blast the Gospel. Compassion shares. It’s the humble offer to another person of the life-giving answer we have found.

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considerit

› How do you think

Paul felt as he walked around the pluralistic city of Athens?

Applyit Like Paul, expect a mixed response to your efforts to share the Gospel. Some will mock; others will delay. But some may be moved by God’s Spirit to make the choice that will yield eternal benefits. You don’t control the results; you control the witness.

Expressit As you pray, lift the names of three or four acquaintances to God. Try to identify a common ground with each of them. Ask God to fill you with His compassion for them. Trust Him to give you an opportunity to speak to them in the days to come.

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As you read acts 17:16–34, reflect on the following questions:

› What do you think about

when you notice buildings dedicated to foreign religions springing up in your surroundings?

› Who’s a stranger

in your life, and what common ground do you have with him or her?

› What three different responses did Paul receive from his message?

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Out of Your Comfort Zone rememberit

Readit

1. What provoked Paul’s spirit in Athens?

Mark 4:1–20

“The sower sows the word” (Mark 4:14).

2. Besides Epicureans, what type of philosophers did Paul debate? 3. Where did the philosophers take Paul? 4. Who does Paul say is not served by human hands? 5. What are people everywhere now commanded to do?

seekit

Go deeper into your study of this week’s lesson.

Compassion: Galatians 6:10 Ephesians 4:1–3

God’s Sovereignty: Romans 11:33–36 Revelation 4:1–11

Answers: 1. The idols (Acts 17:16); 2. Stoics (Acts 17:18); 3. To the Areopagus (Acts 17:19); 4. God (Acts 17:24–25); 5. Repent (Acts 17:30)

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This week, deliberately take at least one step out of your comfort zone.

Jesus’ parable of the four soils is one of His best known. The sower of the seed in Jesus’ story sounds at first like someone involved in a heartbreaking effort. After all, only one in four seeds finds the right kind of soil. Ah, but the return from that one soil dwarfs the loss of the others. Still, in order to sow his seed, the farmer must lose it. He must see it sink into the soil, out of his control. The wise farmer knows he is part of something much larger than his own efforts. He can’t control the seasons, the storms or the droughts. But he knows that there is one thing he can do, in fact he must do or there will not be a harvest in his field—he must plant seeds. That’s his part. Nothing in Jesus’ parable indicates that “picking soils” was part of the lesson. We can seldom gauge fertility by appearance. Rich-looking soil may be a thin covering over rocks. A promising

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considerit › At this point in your life, which of the soils do you most identify with?

As you read Mark 4:1–20, reflect on the

› How might God go about

changing each of the three “unproductive” lives represented by the soils?

› How would Jesus

respond to the reasons you have for not sharing your faith?

plot may be thick with weed seeds, ready to overwhelm any competition. Could someone have guessed from your life before you received the Gospel seed that it would take root in you? “Comfort zone” can be a nice label on a set of unhealthy attitudes. Fear, laziness, selfishness and pride sometimes present themselves as our “comfort zone.” We sometimes say, “Sharing the Gospel is out of my comfort zone.” That sounds so much more acceptable than, “I don’t share the Gospel because I’m afraid, selfish, lazy or proud.” Those may be our real feelings, but they don’t compare to the priceless gift we were given in the Gospel. Those feelings don’t excuse us from the task Christ has given us. We demonstrate our deepening appreciation for Christ when we set aside our feelings and get busy sowing. Farmers understand that every day in the field isn’t going to be an easy day. The time between sowing and reaping may seem unbearably long … but it’s never as long as the time between not sowing and a harvest that never arrives. If you know Jesus Christ, you’ve got seeds. Are you sowing them?

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following questions:

› In your situation,

what would it mean to start sowing seeds?

Applyit For many of us, the idea of publicly proclaiming the Gospel is petrifying! Fortunately, God doesn’t expect most of us ever to undertake that kind of sowing. At Back to the Bible, we “broadcast” our seeds over the airwaves, the Internet and in print and are amazed at how God uses ordinary believers to place the seeds and participate in the harvest. The first important hurdle to cross is telling God you’re available to sow. Expect Him to show you a field, even today.

Expressit Farmers think of their days as collections of “chores” to get done. Sowing is a chore. When we start each day, we should ask God to help us remember that sowing the Gospel is part of our chores for the day. Willingness to pray and plant are significant parts of spiritual farming!

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rememberit 1. Where was Jesus when He told this parable? 2. What was the third type of soil the seed fell upon? 3. What secret (mystery) had been given to the disciples? 4. Who steals away the seeds from the path? 5. What is the first reaction of the “rocky” people when they receive the Word?

seekit

Go deeper into your study of this week’s lesson.

Born Again: Ephesians 2:8–10 1 John 5:1–12

Answers: 1. On a boat (Mark 4:1); 2. Thorny soil (Mark 4:7); 3. Of the kingdom of God (Mark 4:11); 4. Birds/Satan (Mark 4:4,15); 5. Joy (gladness) (Mark 4:16)

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f a i t h r u o y e shar

with confidence.

from ll of helping a person pass How do you learn the ski is th Fai r How to Share You darkness to light? The book for rce an exceptional resou a good place to start. It’s rn believers alike. Both will lea mature Christians and new tter be a believers will get to share their faith and new wants for their lives. d understanding of what Go In How to Share Your Faith, you’ll find practical helps like how to avoid arguments and the proper use of Scripture. You’ll also learn what to do when a person says “no,” and more importantly, when they say “yes!”

Begin sharing what Jesus has done for you with the help of this great resource: How to Share Your Faith!

See below for ordering information!

Back to the Bible is a worldwide ministry dedicated to leading people into a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ. Using radio, the Internet and other media, we share the Gospel message and help Christians grow to spiritual maturity. With broadcasts in 25 languages and an Internet reach to millions, Back to the Bible teaches the Word and touches the world. Contact us for more information: Back to the Bible P.O. Box 82808, Lincoln, NE 68501 1-800-759-2425 | www.backtothebible.org back to the bible - Canada P.O. Box 10, Winnipeg, MB R3C 2G2 1-800-663-2425 | www.backtothebible.ca

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