Apicontent

Suppose you were having lunch with a friend one day, and your cell phone rang. You answer, and an unfamiliar, powerful voice calls out your name. 

You ask, “Who is this?” 

You are totally shocked when the answer comes back, “I’m your Heavenly Father. I’m calling to talk with you because you’re my child … and I haven’t heard from you for a while.” 

What do you think your reaction would be? 

Would you feel special … scared … excited … nervous … convicted? 

God wants you to know Him so well that you will always feel like talking to Him … even when you sin and have broken fellowship with Him. Read about how loving and forgiving your Father’s heart is in the story of the “Prodigal Son” in Luke 15:11-32. 

Prayer is vital to growing in our relationship with God. Prayer is one of the most incredible privileges you have as a believer … to come directly into God’s presence and talk with Him about whatever is on your heart. And, He promises to listen! 

Relationship … Not Rules 

When you invited Jesus into your life, you began a relationship with God that is very personal and intimate. All relationships need good communication to be healthy. 

Jesus’ death for you on the cross made it possible for you to talk directly with your Father in heaven. Your Father wants you to seek His guidance, comfort, peace, and intimate companionship at all times…not just when you want things. He actually desires your companionship! (See Galatians 4:6.) 

• THE HOLY SPIRIT helps you pray. 
• FAITH makes your prayers effective. 
• GOD’S WORD teaches you who God is and how to pray. 

Ask Christ to make Himself more real to you. 

“You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy” (John 16:24). 

Knowing Your Father 

The first part of this study focuses on God’s character. Once you know who your Father is, it’s much easier to talk with Him. 

Before you begin trying to grasp how totally amazing your Heavenly Father is … you need to know that his greatness is far beyond human understanding. However, His Word does give us part of the picture! 

Attributes of God 

• God is Sovereign (In Charge) 
• God is Eternal (Always Existed) 
• God is Omniscient (All Knowing) 
• God is Omnipresent (Everywhere) 
• God is Omnipotent (All Powerful) 
• God is Immutable (Unchanging) 
• God is Holy (Righteous and Set Apart) 
• God is Just (Absolutely Fair) 
• God is Love (Unconditional Acceptance) 
• God is Truth (Totally Trustworthy) 

Think about each one of God’s characteristics listed below, and how each attribute affects your view of God … and your relationship with Him. 

God is Sovereign (In Charge) 

God alone is Ruler of the universe. He has complete authority to do whatever pleases Him. 

When you talk to your Father, approach Him with humility and respect for His absolute authority.

God is Eternal (Always Exists) 

You live in a time dimension. God doesn’t. God has always existed, and He always will exist. When you join God in heaven, you will live forever with Him. He gives you eternal life! 

When you talk to your Father, think about the time ahead when you will be with Him forever and ever! 

God is Omniscient (All Knowing) 

God knows everything in the past. He knows everything that is going on in the universe now. And He knows everything that is going to happen in the future. 

When you talk to your Father, think about the fact that He knows what you are going to say … before you say it. He even knows what is going on deep in your heart. And, He knows what is best for you! 

God is Omnipresent (Everywhere) 

This universe is about thirty billion light years across … and contains at least ten trillion stars (more than all the grains of sand on earth). Yet God is present on every star, and in every inch of space. 

When you talk to your Father, think about the fact that wherever you go … He is already there. Even during your darkest time … you can count on his being there. 

God is Omnipotent (All Powerful) 

Since God is all-powerful, nothing is difficult for Him. Even the enormous power to create the universe was just “finger-work” for Him (Psalm 8:3). 

The prophet Jeremiah said: “O Sovereign Lord! You have made the heavens and earth by Your great power. Nothing is too hard for You!” (Jeremiah 32:17). 

When you talk to your Father, humbly realize He can do anything. And, although He cares about every detail in your life, think about how small your problems are when compared with how awesome He is! 

God is Immutable (Unchanging) 

Since we are always changing our minds or moods…it is hard to imagine a God that is always the same, “yesterday, today … and forever!” (Hebrews 13:8). 

When you talk to your Father, think about the fact that because He never changes … His love for you also never changes. It doesn’t fluctuate with your emotions or deeds. It is also important to understand that because God never changes … His Word will never change! 

God is Holy (Righteous and Set Apart) 

God has never thought an unrighteous thought … and never will! He is absolutely pure and perfect in every way! (See Psalm 145:17.) 

Sin is the exact opposite of God’s nature … and without Christ’s death for you on the cross, you would be totally rejected from His presence. God’s holiness is beyond explanation. 

When you talk to your Father, think about His holiness and righteousness … and how Jesus has made it possible for you to come directly into His awesome presence. 

God is Just (Perfectly Fair) 

God is the Supreme Judge of the universe. He cannot make a mistake … and is always totally fair. There is no “Court of Appeals” (See Jeremiah 9:24.) God cannot “look the other way” regarding your sin. 

When you talk to your Father, think about the fact that He will always be fair by His perfect standard. You need to trust Him even when you think He has been unfair. (See Genesis 18:25.) 

God is Love (Unconditional Acceptance) 

God will never love you less … and He cannot love you more! The Bible tells us that God doesn’t just have love … “He is love” (1 John 4:16). 

The fact that your Father sent Jesus to suffer and die for you on the cross illustrates the depth of His love for you (1 John 3:1). 

When you talk to your Father, think about the high price He paid for your salvation, even though you will never fully understand it or appreciate it. 

Then thank Him! 

God is Truth (Totally Trustworthy) 

God cannot lie. Everything He says is true (Titus 1:2). 

When you talk to your Father, thank Him for the promises in the Bible. Review the promises … one by one … with Him. Tell Him you want to trust Him! 

Read and pray David’s prayer in 1 Chronicles 29:11-13. 

Praying Boldly 

Now that you begin to see how awe-inspiring your Heavenly Father is, you may be afraid to approach Him in prayer. God’s Word tells you that as His child, you are always welcome in His presence. Go to Him … boldly! 

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it” (Hebrews 4:16). 

Praying with Humility 

Although God wants you to talk to Him at all times, it is important that you approach Him with a humble heart (1 Peter 5:5-6). God opposes human pride, and wants you to be totally dependent upon His resources. 

Praying with Confidence 

• Pray According to God’s Word

Learn the following prayer principles and look up the Scripture reference that goes with each one and then … pray expectantly! 

• Family Only 

God answers the prayers of His children. He also hears and answers prayers of non-Christians when they come to Christ in faith for the forgiveness of their sins (John 16.24). 

• Abiding Answers 

Jesus said that an abiding Christian can be confident in his prayers being heard … and answered according to God’s will. 

• “Thy Will Be Done” 

Jesus modeled the attitude you should have when you come to your Father. You should desire His will above yours, even though it may be difficult to accept. (Read Mark 14:32-40) 

“And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything accord­ing to His will, He hears us: And if we know that He hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him” (1 John 5:14). 

Now that you know Him, you can be confident … if you are abiding in Him … that He will answer any prayer that is according to His perfect will. 

• God’s Perfect Timing 

Don’t give up on prayers that don’t get answered right away. One of the signs of a Spirit-controlled Christian is “patience” (Galatians 5:22). 

Countless Christians will tell you stories of God’s faithfulness in answering prayers after many years of continual prayer. 

• Your Prayer Life 

You began your prayer life as a member of God’s family when you invited Jesus into your life. 

• Beginning Your Day 

If you want your relationship with Christ to grow, plan to meet Him every morning. Many Christians who are abiding in Christ begin their day with a “quiet time.” You can start talking to God “before your feet hit the ground,” as you get out of bed. Say something like this: 

“Good morning Lord! Today, before I get going, I just want You to know I love You … and want to live for You today!” 

• Claiming His Promises 

Take some of God’s promises with you, and claim them for your day. Here’s a great verse to get you started: 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understand­ing. Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). 

Pray: “Lord, today, I am going to trust You to direct my paths, and I am going to seek Your will for my life in each situation.” 

• Restoring Fellowship by Confession 

When you slip and fall, and feel like no one cares, run to your Lord’s waiting arms. He will comfort you and dry your tears. (Read Romans 8:26-27.) 

To restore fellowship with the Holy Spirit, simply tell Him that you have sinned, (name it), and choose to let Him control your life. He will then restore you to fellowship with Him (see 1 John 1:9). 

• Thank, Praise, and Adore Him 

God has done so much for you that it is important to take some time to thank Him, and think about His love and grace. Read the Psalms, and as you read the many praises…stop and make them your own. Think about God’s greatness and His great love for you … and adore Him. (Begin with Psalms 95, 107, 145-150.) 

• Requests 

God wants you to bring Him your requests. In fact, He delights in your requests since it is an act of faith and obedience. Never quit asking Him for things that are biblical and within His will. He promises to answer those prayers … in His time! 

Suggestion: For the next 30 days, start a prayer list. Add to it each day. 

Write down the following:

• Your personal growth in Christ 
• Specific issues you are dealing with 
• Needs of friends and family 
• Non-Christians you desire to know Christ 
• Other Christians you can help grow 

If you are reading God’s Word, and allowing the Holy Spirit to control your life…you will naturally talk with Him more.

The apostle Peter told the early believers to think of themselves as part of a building … with Jesus being the “chief cornerstone.” 

“And now God is building you, as living stones into His spiritual temple … You are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God’s holy nation, His very own possession” (1 Peter 2:5, 9). 

God is saying wonderful things about you as one of His children. He is saying that you and all other believers are: 

• Living Stones in His Spiritual Temple 
• A Chosen People 
• A Kingdom of Priests 
• His Very Own Possession 
• Citizens of God’s Holy Nation 

It doesn’t matter what color your skin is, how smart you are, how pretty you are, what gender you are, or how wealthy or important you are…you are part of Christ’s body with believers from all time. You are a full citizen in God’s Country … heaven! (See Ephesians 2:19.) 

Christ’s Local Body 

You, along with all other Christians of all time make up the body of Christ, the Church. The Bible also calls a local gathering of believers a “church.” 

Jesus made a promise to you and me. When we come together, with Him as our focus … He is there: “For where two or three gather together because they are mine, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:20). 

The Early Church 

The book of Acts describes the establishing of the early churches, which met primarily in homes. The Letters of the New Testament are the instructions written to those churches by the apostles. Everything the Holy Spirit commanded and instructed the early believers also applies to the church today. 

The commitment of the early church was so strong, and their love for one another so great, that within 300 years, Christianity had spread throughout the entire Roman Empire. Jesus used them to change the world! 

The Example of the Early Church 

To get an understanding of how committed the early Christians were to one another, read the Book of Acts in the New Testament. 

Getting Connected 

One of the main reasons so many Christians live defeated lives is that they have isolated themselves from other believers. Paul told the early Christians that they were each vital “parts” of the “body of Christ.” 

Every part of your body is important. If your little toe hurts, it can make your day miserable. The invisible parts, such as the heart, liver, and kidneys are vital for the life of the entire body. It is similar in the body of Christ. 

Read 1 Corinthians 12:14-27 and write what Paul said about each part of the “body”: 

When you are joined together with other believers who are growing in Christ, you encourage one another, and keep each other “fired up” in your mutual faith. You enjoy one another’s company and build meaningful relationships together. 

Coming together with other believers in Christ’s name is similar to hot coals, which keep each other hot when lumped together. However, a coal that is separated from the others will soon grow cold. If you aren’t already attending a Christ-centered, Bible-teaching church, ask God to lead you to one. He will help you find the right one. 

Unique Gifts 

You are a unique creation of God. He has given you unique gifts that are needed in the body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Paul tells you some vital things about your gifts: 

Sadly, many leave the job of doing God’s work to those with gifts that are more obvious … such as the speaking gifts. However, God’s Word is clear that each gift is vital to His Kingdom. 

The entire body of Christ is commissioned and gifted to accomplish Jesus’ Great Commission … to “go into all the world and tell the Good News to everyone.” 

In one way, your role in the church is similar to a player on a basketball, foot­ball, or soccer team. Unless each player uses his skill and talent to play, the game could be lost. To win, each player must do his job well. He has gifted you to play your part in building God’s Kingdom. 

The Key to Loving Relationships 

Jesus knows your heart. He knows the difficulty we all have at times with one another. As humans, we all are tempted to gossip, judge, get angry, and accuse one another.

And yet, Jesus truly desires for us to love one another … and model His love to the world. Listen to what He told his disciples in some of His last comments to them: 

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:34-35). 

How many times have we failed Jesus by disobeying this command? Unfortunately, far too often. 

Love is the key to all of our relationships … but how do we get it? God gives us the answer in Paul’s letter to Timothy: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). 

God’s Word tells us what love really means, and the fruit it produces in your daily interaction with others. (Read Galatians 5:22.) 

The Corinthian Church was full of “baby” Christians whom Paul called “carnal,” or “fleshly.” They had accepted Christ’s love for them, but treated each other largely from a selfish point of view. They were jealous, and continually griping and arguing (1 Corinthians 3:1-4). 

Paul told the Corinthians what Christ’s love is like when we’re controlled by the Holy Spirit: 

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). 

Remember when we were studying the Holy Spirit? It is the Holy Spirit that gives you power to love with Christ’s love by faith. You can’t generate it on your own. Love is the result of abiding in Christ. 

Loving by Faith 

Corrie ten Boom was one of the few women who survived the torture and humiliation of Ravensbruck … a Nazi prison camp during World War II. 

Corrie’s faith in Christ had remained strong, even during times of degradation when she and all the other women were paraded naked in front of heckling male prison guards. 

The war was now over, and Corrie had devoted herself to speaking in churches of Christ’s love and forgiveness. 

One day, at a church service in Munich, Corrie was startled to see the SS man who was her former prison guard when she and the other women were herded into the showers like cattle. 

Corrie recalls the incident in her book, The Hiding Place: 

“He came up to me. ‘How grateful I am for your message … to think that, as you say, He has washed all my sins away!’ 

His hand was thrust out to shake mine. And I, who had preached so often … the need to forgive, kept my hand at my side. Even as the angry, vengeful thoughts boiled through me, I saw the sin of them. Jesus Christ had died for this man; was I going to ask for more? 

‘Lord Jesus,’ I prayed, ‘forgive me and help me to forgive him.’ 

I tried to smile, I struggled to raise my hand. I could not. I felt nothing, not the slightest spark of warmth or charity. And so, I breathed a silent prayer. ‘Jesus, I cannot forgive him. Give me your forgiveness.’ 

As I took his hand the most incredible thing happened. From my shoulder along my arm and through my hand a current seemed to pass from me to him, while into my heart sprang a love for this stranger that almost over­whelmed me. 

And so I discovered that it is not on our forgiveness any more than our goodness that the world’s healing hinges, but on His. 

When He tells us to love our enemies, He gives, along with the command, the love itself.” (The Hiding Place, Fleming H. Revell Co.) 

No matter how hard Corrie tried she didn’t have the power in herself to love this former enemy who had humiliated her. 

Yet she knew that Christ had commanded her to love everyone, even her enemies. 

By faith, Corrie confessed her sin, and turned the matter over to God. Her faith resulted in the power to obey. And, her obedience resulted in the great joy and peace that only comes when we abide in Christ. 

Take some time alone with God to confess your inability to forgive, and ask the Holy Spirit to forgive others through you. As you abide in Him, He will give you the power! 

Joining Others 

If you aren’t already connected with others who love Jesus Christ, you are miss­ing out on God’s best for your life. He wants us to be part of a body where we use our gifts to build His Kingdom. 

How to get started: 

• Ask God to direct you to other believers. 
• Attend a Bible-teaching and outreaching church. 
• Join a small Bible study and prayer group. 
• Use your gifts to reach others for Christ. 
• Find a mature believer who will “disciple” you. 
• Ask God for someone you can disciple. 

“If we are living in the light of God’s presence, just as Christ is, then we have fellowship with each other” (1 John 1:7). 

In John 15, Jesus tells us that an abiding life is essential if we are to produce fruit for Him. Jesus also tells us that the only way to abide in Him is to be obedient to His commands. 

“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in His love” (John 15:10). 

If you are truly running to win the prize God has for you, then aim to please Christ by obeying His commands. Jesus said, “If you love me, obey my commandments” (John 14:15). 

Jesus is not saying that we are saved by obedience. Neither is He saying that we will lose our salvation when we disobey Him. Many people think that God loves us more when we obey Him than when we disobey Him. 

Nothing could be further from the truth. 

However, just as a loving parent disciplines a disobedient child, God will discipline us when we disobey. His love is expressed by discipline, not rejection. He wants the best for us, and that means He wants us to trust and obey Him. 

The entire Christian life is to be lived by faith, not works. Other religions give lists of rules to follow. But when we see how much God loves us, and that Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins, we will want to obey Him. Trusting the Holy Spirit with your life will result in a life of obedience to his Word. 

Don’t be disappointed when progress in your Christian walk doesn’t happen as quickly as you want. Christian growth is a lifelong process. God is patient with you, and will never take His love away from you. Remember, the Holy Spirit will give you victory any moment you choose to obey Him. 

Many Christians say they trust God with their lives but refuse to obey His Word. James calls their faith “dead.” The abiding life, however, is to be lived by faith, trusting in God’s promises even when we are going through trials and don’t understand how God is answering our prayers. Remember the two circles we looked at earlier? 

If Christ is directing your life, it will result in a transformation of both your walk and your talk. In other words, your character will become more like Christ’s character, and your words and actions will sound and look like Him. 

The Walk 

We have already seen that a life of obedience to Christ is based upon faith in His Word. You and I are totally unable to live the Christian life in our own strength. However, by faith in His promises, the Holy Spirit gives us the power to over­come trials and temptations. As we surrender our lives to Him, He conforms us into His likeness. 

Jesus is totally unlike us. Let’s take a look at just a few of the differences: 

JESUS IS:

• Holy
• Loving
• Humble
• Forgiving 
• Obedient

MAN IS: 

• Sinful
• Unloving
• Proud
• Unforgiving
• Disobedient  

In spite of the differences, the Holy Spirit is continually conforming us into Christ’s image.

Personal Holiness 

One of God’s attributes is holiness, which means He is morally pure and righteous, set apart from any unclean thought or deed. 

The Holy Spirit is working in our lives to remove all filthiness and lustful thinking. 

Nancy DeMoss writes, “True holiness starts on the inside–with our thoughts, attitudes, values, and motives–those innermost parts of our hearts that only God can see. It also affects our outward and visible behavior: ‘Be holy in all your conduct.’”

Love for Others 

The Holy Spirit is actively at work in giving us His supernatural love for others. His love is forgiving rather than judgmental, patient rather than irritable, and compassionate rather than easily angered and embittered towards others. Corrie ten Boom was only able to love the prison guard who demeaned and abused her when she made the choice to love him by faith. 

Many Christians are able to put on a good front, which appears loving while holding deep grudges and resentments inside. Christ’s love is totally different; it begins on the inside. 

Since it is impossible for us to simply improve our sinful natures, our act of obedience is to surrender our lives to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to make us like Christ. 

Your Greatest Investment 

Have you ever thought of your life as an investment? Jesus did. He continually compared your life with an investment of money. Jesus wants you to invest your life for the greatest possible return. He wants you to help build His Kingdom. 

The Three Servants 

Jesus told the story (in Luke 19) of a prince who had left his three servants a huge amount of money to invest for him. He would settle with them when he returned years later. When the time came to settle, and reward them for their faithfulness, the prince asked them for accounting. The first servant said, “Master, I doubled your money.” 

The prince was elated, and said, “Great job! Because you’ve earned me so much on that small investment, I’m going to put you in charge of ten cities!”

The second servant said, “Master, I made a fifty percent return on your investment.” The prince said to him, “I’ll put you in charge of five cities.” 

The third servant said, “Master, here’s your money, safe and sound. I kept it hidden in the basement since I was afraid to lose it. I know you … don’t put up with fools.” 

The prince was extremely disappointed… and told him, “You’re right that I don’t put up with fools…and you have been a fool! Why didn’t you at least invest the money in savings so that I would have gotten a little interest on it?” 

Then turning to the others standing nearby, the prince ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one who earned the most.’ They objected, and said, ‘But Master, he already has double…” 

The prince then said, “That’s what I mean: Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag” (Luke 19:12- 27, The Message). 

Jesus told His disciples this story to give them the picture that God expects a return on our lives. In other words, He wants our lives to “count” for Him. 

Life on earth is short. Soon it will be over—then it will be too late to invest your life for Christ. 

The Judgment Seat of Christ 

The Bible makes it abundantly clear that when your life is over, you will have the great honor to stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ and receive rewards for your faithful service to Christ. (See 2 Corinthians 5:10.) 

All believers will give an account of their walk with Christ, but unfortunately, not all will receive rewards. 

Jesus wants you to invest your life for the greatest possible impact for His Kingdom. Like the prince who rewarded the first servant who doubled his investment, Jesus greatly desires to reward you. 

Expand Your Territory 

In The Prayer of Jabez, author Bruce Wilkinson relates how a relatively unknown man from the Old Testament, Jabez, asked God for “expanded territory” (1 Chronicles 4:9-10). Jabez wanted to be special for God. He wanted to invest his life for the greatest return. (This book will greatly challenge you.) 

D.L. Moody was a man who asked God to expand his territory. He made this statement: “The world has yet to see what one man who is totally sold out to Jesus Christ can accomplish. By God’s grace, I want to be that man!” 

Ambassadors for Christ 

In the same passage of Scripture that Paul tells the Corinthian believers about the Judgment Seat of Christ, Paul tells them another important fact: 

“We are Christ’s ambassadors” (2 Corinthians 5:20). 

A country selects an ambassador to represent them in the highest manner to another land. Great care is made by the King or President to select the finest representative. 

Your King has selected you to represent Him. You are God’s choice to reach others for Him. You are Christ’s “witness.” 

Your witness for Christ takes two basic forms: 

• Witness by your “walk” 
• Witness by your “talk” 

Walk Before You Talk

One reason to grow in your relationship with Christ is so others can see Christ in the way you live. This can have a huge impact on others. Jesus said: “Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:16). 

Work in Progress 

Don’t let the fact that you are a “work in progress” stop you from sharing Christ with others. Satan would love for you to keep silent about your new relationship with Christ. 

However, if you are not living for Christ, that behavior will be obvious, and sharing Christ will appear hypocritical to others. 

Telling Others the Good News 

Have you ever thought about how many people you know, or rub shoulders with, who are hurting … and are disillusioned with life? In fact, some get so despondent that they consider ending it all. 

How to Share Christ with Others 

You don’t need to be an expert in the Bible or have years of experience with Christ to witness for Him. There are several ways you can verbally share Christ on a daily basis. 

Informal Sharing 

You don’t have to make a complete presentation of the Gospel to make an impact for Christ. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to someone who is open to hearing more about Christ: 

• Invite a friend to church or a study group which you attend. 
• Give your personal testimony. 
• Ask someone to join you at a Christian event. 
• Introduce a friend to other Christians. 
• Give out a Christian book or tract. 
• Refer someone to Y-Jesus.com or another Christian website. 

The key to informal witnessing is to be available … and to ask God to lead you. He will! He has been waiting for you to ask Him! 

Presenting Christ’s Claims Directly 

Everyone needs an opportunity to hear the complete story of how much God loves him/her personally. Once you have established a relationship with a person, and “earned the right to be heard,” pray for an opportunity to share Christ with them. 

We recommend you read, “Is Jesus Relevant Today?” and take time to print it out. You might want to give an extra copy to the person with whom you are sharing Christ. This article emphasizes the fact that Christianity is a relationship with Jesus Christ rather than a set of rules to follow.

Most people reject Christianity because they really don’t understand what it is all about, or they misunderstand and think it is just “religion.” They don’t realize that it is a relationship with their Creator … Jesus Christ! The best way to witness … so that people really understand what the Bible says … is to make a concise presentation of the Gospel with your testimony and biblical references. 

Here are some additional ideas on preparing and sharing your faith with another person: 

Pray 

Go to God about your friends … before you go to your friends about God. Ask God to prepare the person’s heart and to control you by the Holy Spirit. 

Use a Gospel Tract 

In order to be concise and not get side-tracked, use a good Gospel tract, such as The Four Spiritual Laws by Bill Bright (New Life Publications), or The Bridge (Navpress).

Use a Bible 

Carry a small Bible with you that has key verses underlined. It’s best to use a modern translation, such as the New Living Translation. Try to memorize the key verses for each point of the Gospel. 

Share Your Personal Testimony 

Write out your personal testimony, and review it with a friend until you can present it naturally in 3 to 5 minutes. Keep focused on how Christ has changed your life … and how much He means to you. Be enthusiastic … but not phony. Be transparent … and let them know this is real for you. 

Stay Focused 

You fight a spiritual battle when you share Christ with an unbeliever. There may be unusual interruptions … or the person might try to evade the real issues and get you off track. Pray, and keep focused on Christ’s love … and His death for them on the cross. Emphasize how important they are to God. 

Ask For A Decision 

When you have shared Christ with someone, and he or she is open to the mes­sage, don’t be afraid to ask for a decision. As the Holy Spirit leads, expect God to be working in their heart. Ask one of the following questions: 

• “Does this make sense to you?” 
• “Would you like to accept God’s Gift?” 
• “Would you like to make sure?” 
• “Would you like to ask Jesus into your life?” 

If the person you are sharing with is ready to receive Christ, pray with him or her, using the prayer in your tract, or the one that was included earlier in this booklet. 

The Next Step 

Once a person has come to Christ, it is vital that you share with them how they can grow in their relationship with God. Schedule a time to go through this booklet with them. 

It is also vital that they immediately get connected with other Christians … preferably people with whom they can relate. 

Passing the Baton 

When you lead a person to Christ, you are “passing the baton” to them. Teach them from God’s Word the discipleship principle Paul taught Timothy, so they will pass it on to others: “Teach these great truths to trustworthy people who are able to pass them on to others” (2 Timothy 2:2). 

For those who take God’s Word seriously and want to be discipled, it is strongly recommended that you schedule regular meetings (at least every other week), to get deeper into the Bible. Both a small group Bible study and one-on-one discipleship are recommended for a new believer. 

Run to Win! 

Your race goes on … and there are many miles to go! 

Marathon runners often get weary during the long race. Some quit. Those who finish strong are focused on the finish line, the satisfaction of doing well, and the prize ahead. 

God’s Word tells you how to finish strong: 

“Let us strip off every weight that slows us down … And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish” (Hebrews 12:12). 

When Christ is the center of your life, everything will be different. Your life will be full of joy and peace. You will want to please Him. God will give you love for other people, even your enemies. He can take ordinary people and make our lives purposeful and fruitful. 

“By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope” (Ephesians 3:20). 

Are you ready to risk it all for Christ? He is completely trustworthy … and will be with you in every mile of your race … even when you are weary and feel like quitting. Memorize these verses and hold on to God’s purpose for your life! 

“But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). 

“It is the will of God that you keep on running. Run well, and receive the prize!” (1 Corinthians 9:24-26). 

“I know what I am planning for you,” says the LORD. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future” (Jeremiah 29:11).