This was inspired by a similar blog post by Greg Stier.
I sometimes look for opportunities to share my faith. It’s something I know I should do, and I enjoy having those conversations and presenting the Gospel, but I certainly don’t do it as often as I should. I am frequently convicted working at Dare 2 Share just by the nature of what we do. That conviction amps up most weeks on Wednesday when we have staff chapel and Greg challenges us to share our faith as we have opportunity. All of those things considered, I am convicted the most by my 8-year-old son Christian when it comes to sharing my faith.
Christian started the 3rd grade last Wednesday at Aurora Quest Academy. It is his first year not going to a Christian school (3 years of preschool at our church in Virginia and K-2 at Faith Christian Academy). When he got accepted to Aurora Quest we explained to him some of the differences he might encounter at a public school. Without hesitation he told my wife and, “It may not be a Christian school now, but when I’m done with it it will be!” WOW! How much pride as a father did I feel at that moment?
So last Thursday, his second day of school, Christian came home and told us all about his day. He shared that the class was playing a game and several of his new friends were getting upset that they were not winning. He explained to them that they shouldn’t be ashamed of losing, everything is fine, because we are all winners! The teacher chimed in and corrected Christian explaining that when they play games, there will be winners and losers. “But we’re all winners in God’s eyes!” he proclaimed to his class. The teacher gently informed Christian that they were not talking about God, but about the board game. He quickly complied and finished playing the game. As he explained to us what happened though, this is what he said, “Mom and dad, I knew I was right. I was talking about God. I didn’t want to argue with my teacher though, but we are all winners in God’s eyes!”
My son made me so proud again. Not only did he make the preliminary statement that he was going to share Jesus with his school, but on the second day of classes he was already making bold statements about God. I am also proud of him for respecting his teacher and not arguing with her. It showed the relational side of his evangelistic effort. His relentless is evident in the fact that he would make a public statement like that to his whole class and that he plans on looking for more opportunities to do the same. While he complied with his teacher out of respect, it has not quenched his zealousness of the Gospel!
Please continue to pray for my little 8-year-old evangelist as he Shreds the Gnar on his campus!
By the name of this post some of you may already be a little leary as to what you are about to read. Persuade is a pretty strong word. Some people in Christian circles don’t even like using the word as it conjures up images of pushy car salesman or invasive telemarketers that call in the middle of dinner. Unfortunately this word does come with negative baggage. However, it doesn’t change what we find in scriptures (NLT):
Persuade = sharing your faith!
The word persuade describes how we are supposed to reach out to those who don’t know Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:11 makes the strongest case for it in mind. It decribes sharing our faith with those who don’t know Christ as our “fearful responsibility to God” and affirms that it is a sincere persuasion.
So who have you persuaded lately with the power of the Gospel? Have you challenged your teen to identify one lost friend that they need to relationally and relentlessly share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with? Don’t be intimidated by the nature of the word “persuade.” Be persuaded by the power of the Gospel!
Last week we touched on prayer, which as many of the responses indicated is a vital step in any aspect of ministry. It plays a critical role in one’s worship of God, relationship with God, and should be the foundation of any evangelistic effort. If you haven’t read the post on prayer, CLICK HERE and read it before going on.
As we challenge our teens to pray for their lost friends, we need to equip them to pursue those friends on a spiritual level. Simply, bring God up in conversation. It doesn’t sound that difficult, but we don’t do it near enough.
Think about it…when people meet me for the first time they are going to learn a few basics: I love my wife and sons, I love Starbucks, while I like the Denver Nuggets I am a hometown fan of the Redskins, Wizards, and Orioles (sorry Nationals – I was raised on Cal Ripken Jr baseball). Let’s not forgot the critical college sports: Nebraska football and North Carolina basketball. Even more than all of these things, I love God. Why in the world wouldn’t I bring that up in causual conversation?
Hear me on this. I am not implying that our teens need to present the Gospel in every conversation (but certainly don’t pass up the opportunity if it’s given). But as a believer in Jesus Christ, why wouldn’t we constantly be relationally and relentlessly seeking out our friends beliefs, sharing our beliefs, and having conversations about those things?
If we are going to talk to God about our lost friends, let’s talk to our lost friends about God. No pressure, just talk.
