Sharing Your Faith - Preparation

Let's be honest...

Sharing your faith boldly is intimidating.

Actually, it can be down right scary.

As a "people pleaser" myself, I'm often worried about scaring people off, offending them or even {*shudder*} what they will think of me {oh, how selfish can I be?!}. We need to remember to set aside our fears, insecurities and selfishness because we're dealing with souls and eternity.

We have the Good News - THE BEST NEWS - and since faith comes by hearing, ladies, we have a job to do.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

1 Peter 3:15 tells us

to "always be prepared to make a defense to

anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you."

The first step in preparing yourself for defending

and sharing the Gospel is knowing it.

{here is a great quiz to test your knowledge of the Gospel}

How do we get to know the Gospel well enough to share it?

Jesus says in John 8:31,

"If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,

and you will know the truth..."

{check out the link attached to 'abide' for its definition}

Abide means to remain, to reside.

We need to reside ~to live~ in His Word.

Here are some practical tips for abiding in His Word:

• Have a daily quiet time to grow your relationship with Him.
• Memorize Scripture.
• Plug into an in-depth Bible study.
• Listen to Biblical preachers/teachers speak on the verses you're studying.
• Ask questions, LOTS of questions, just be careful who you're asking - make sure they are of sound theology.
• Sara at It's Good to be Queen has a great idea for a Scripture Memory Group - you can consider starting one at your church or with your friends!
  
  

Here are some helpful resources for abiding in His Word:

• Search for sermons by verse at sermonaudio.com.
• Precept's Inductive Study Series are great quiet time guides. {linked ya to the one I'm doing}
• Seeds Family Worship is a GREAT resource for helping you and your whole family memorize scripture!
• It never hurts to have a good Bible Commentary. Keep and eye out for John MacArthur's Bible Commentary - LifeWay and Mardel put it on sale often!
  
  

Suggested Scripture for getting to know the Gospel:

• Prophecy of Jesus, the crucifixion and resurrection: Isaiah 53
• The life of Jesus: Matthew, Mark, Luke & John {john's is my personal favorite}
• Romans is great for learning the gravity of sin, justification by faith alone, God's sovereignty in salvation and much much more.
• 1 John teaches us application of the Gospel: true doctrine, obedient living and fervent devotion.