Lessons for November 4
FAMILY BIBLE STUDY:
Anywhere, any time, for all people? Absolutely
___ Acts 2:1-41
___By Christine Hockin-Boyd
___Texas WMU, Dallas
___Anywhere--any time--for all people. This was a statement that I chewed and digested for a writing assignment a number of years ago. It was a powerful statement that caused me to think about what sharing the Good News means.
___Say it to yourself. Repeat it slowly. Emphasize and define what the words mean.
___What did I do with the statement? First, I had to either affirm or deny the statement. I pondered and reflected on each of the words and their meanings. I thought of the impact each component had not just on me but the world. Did I truly believe that sharing the good
news is for anywhere, any time and for all people?
___Second, if I believed the statement then I had to determine for myself how was I going to live and implement this principle in my life. This second part of the challenge caused me to do a personal evaluation of my feelings and any prejudices that I might have.
___The idea of sharing Christ with others was a no-brainer. It was a given. But what caused me to dig deeper in myself was the fact of sharing Christ with "all people" and "anywhere." Was I willing to share Christ no matter the circumstance, place or situation I found myself in at any given moment? Was I willing to take on the lifelong principle of "as you go" in sharing Christ with others? Did I believe everyone was deserving of hearing God's love and forgiveness?
___John 3:16 states, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Let's go farther. In verse 17, it says, "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." So, is everyone deserving of hearing the good news?
___Before you answer, let me ask a few more questions. Is the emotional and physical abuser deserving? Child molester? Cult or sect group member? Terrorist and murderer? Now answer. Do you believe that sharing the good news is for anywhere, any time and for all people?
___ As Christ's followers, our marching orders are to tell others about Jesus. People need to know Jesus was crucified, raised from the dead, will forgive their sins and give them new life when they repent and trust him as their Savior. There are many people who do not believe this message is what the world needs to hear. Some think we need to hear messages about better education, healthcare, economies, political systems, religious diversity and others. However, the truth is all people need to know about Jesus' love and forgiveness of sin.
___What witnessing plan do you use? Continuing Witness Training, Evangelism Explosion, Roman Road, Admit-Believe-Confess, evangelism tract or power band bracelet? One method may work for one person but not for another. Find one you are so comfortable in using that it becomes a natural way of life. For many, simply using Bible Scriptures and a personal testimony is what works best.
___Beginning with verse 14, you read a beautiful word picture of Peter addressing the crowd of people. He tells the people about why they should listen to the many testimonies of believers and the prophecies that had been fulfilled in Jesus. He explains the reason and purpose of Jesus' death and resurrection and how it could change each of their lives.
___And then you get to verse 37, "... they were cut to the heart and said to Peter ... 'What shall we do?'" Their hearts were pierced, convicted and now ready to know what to do next in accepting and receiving this love and forgiveness he had talked about.
___Beginning with verse 38, Peter gives instruction on what to do--repent and be baptized. How do you determine the mindset and understanding of the sinner and when he or she has comprehended the good news?
___An illustration I enjoy using is the baseball field. Imagine a sinner standing on homeplate with bat in hand. He is ready to swing and hit the ball, but how far will he run? First base--the sinner is asking every question that comes to his mind; wants to gather as much information as possible. Second base--this is the time to think through and digest the information given. Third base--time to make a decision; am I ready to accept Jesus' love and forgiveness of my sin? Home--the answer is yes, and you are ready to repent of your sin and accept his wonderful forgiveness of sin.
___Now, ask the person to tell you how far they would have run? To what base would he have stopped? How can you help them go to the next base? What other bits of information could you give or explain again? If the answer is, "I'm going to homeplate" then rejoice and assist the sinner through prayer in receiving Jesus' love and forgiveness of sin. Go and share again.
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