5 Steps to Sharing Your Faith | John Maxwell

Start Talking – Find conversation starters for the group or with a friend.

Sharing your faith can be intimidating. 

• What kind of obstacles do you face when practicing this principle? 
• What are the benefits of sharing your faith? 

Keep Reading – Read the Scripture and ask a question to get the group thinking. 

Read these scriptures out loud:

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

In this passage, Paul explains how he shares his faith in Jesus with others. Take a moment to read this passage, using a couple different translations.

• Dr. Maxwell said, “We have too many ‘howevers’ in our lives that can keep us from making room for 'whoever.'" What are some of the "howevers" you have?
• Paul voluntarily sought to be a servant to anybody, anywhere, at any time, for any reason so that they could know they were valued. Which one of these “any’s” do you find most challenging? 

1 Peter 3:15

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”

• This verse makes the assumption that as believers in Jesus, we are living our lives in such a way that people recognize something different about us – the hope we have because of Jesus should be evident in our lives.
• When is the last time someone asked you why you are so hopeful, so full of peace, so joyful? What answer did you give them? How did you “give the reason for the hope that you have”?

Keep Talking – Choose questions to create openness. 

1. Value People and Add Value to Them

• God doesn’t change us to accept us; He accepts us to change us. You may have also heard it said this way: “God loves you exactly as you are, but He loves you too much to leave you that way.” How have you experienced God’s acceptance, and how are you different now from when you first started a relationship with Jesus?
• The Great Commission tells us to go and make disciples (Matt. 28:19-20), and the Bible also tells us that we are co-laborers with God (1 Cor. 3:9). This means that we have to value all people in the same way that God values them. How can we truly value “whoever” without immediately going to “however”?

2. Embrace and Hold Fast to Your Faith

• John Maxwell made the statement that “Too many of us want to curse the darkness rather than turn on the light.” We don’t have to be like them to reach them, but we do have to like them.
• How do we practically hold fast to our faith and the truth of the Word of God while also loving and reaching out to those who don’t yet know Jesus?

3. Enter Their World to Know and Understand Them 

• How can you abstain from trying to get your point of view across and start learning from others?
• Whose ‘world’ have you entered (ex. work colleagues, family/relatives, friends, neighbors)? How can you practice understanding them more? 

4. Be Creative in Sharing the Good News with Them

• What is one way you can, “Everyday intentionally sow seeds.” 
• What kind of seeds do you need to start scattering (ex. curiosity questions, attentive listening, genuine interest in others)?

5. Never Forget Why You Entered Their World

• Do you have a grasp of the Gospel? Do you recognize the good news of Jesus in your own life? How would you share the Gospel with someone in an easy to understand way?
• John Maxwell said that “you don’t have to be perfect at sharing your faith, but you do have to practice.” How can you practice your faith on a regular basis?

Keep Moving/Going – Commit to a step and live it out this week.

• Which one of the 5 practices do you need to put into practice this week?
• Pick one of this week’s key Scriptures and make it a reminder on your phone. Spend a few minutes repeating it and thinking about it each day.
• S.O.A.P out the Scripture this week.

Keep Praising

“Freedom” - Jesus Culture

“Battle Belongs” - Phil Wickham

“You Hold It All Together” - Maverick City Music

“Another In The Fire” - Hillsong UNITED

 Or check out our "Faith Over Fear" playlist on Spotify and Apple Music.

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