Story Bearer - How to Share Your Faith With Your FriendsShembull

Telling your story There’s a famous quote attributed to St Francis of Assisi, which exhorts us to ‘Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words.’ With respect to St Francis, I understand what he is trying to say. As we explored yesterday, how we live needs to back up what we say, but Jesus is known as much for the things that he said as the miracles he performed. His teaching, storytelling and wisdom – the words he used – are important. In the same way, we need to use words to communicate our story. 1 Peter 3:15 encourages us to always be prepared to give an answer to anyone who asks us to give a reason for the hope that we have. Most of the time, the most effective way we can talk about Jesus is not with a perfect apologetic response or a three point sermon, it is by talking about the impact that Jesus has had on our lives. We get to tell our story. We might not think we have a story to tell. Often, testimonies we hear at church events are dramatic, people encountering Jesus in prison after a life of drugs and crime followed by radical transformations. Your story might be like that, but it also might appear mundane in comparison. This is the encouragement of today: whatever your life has been like, if you know Jesus, you have a story. And that story is powerful, meaningful, hopeful, unfinished and has the potential to change the life of your friends. Are you prepared to tell it? Paul, in the Romans passage, encourages us, when you share what God has done, faith comes from hearing, how beautiful are the feet that bring good news? Your story is good news. If one of your closest friends asked you why you are a Christian, what would you say? What story would you tell? Peter tells us to be prepared. Today, think about how you would express how your life is different because of your faith. Your moment of conversion might be important but don’t stop there. What would your life be like now if you weren’t a Christian? When were the moments when God has been closest? What words would you use? You might talk about forgiveness, identity, peace, hope, belonging, purpose, meaning, family, freedom. Put words around your story. Go as far as to practice it, with friends you trust or on your own. Be prepared. Your story can change a life. It can make a significant difference in another’s journey of faith. The woman in John 4, went back to her village, shared her experience and ‘many more became believers.’ This is the power of your story. May you be prepared, talk about the hope you have, and may your friends and family believe as a result of you bearing your story well.