Taking the initiative in sharing our faith

Those of you who have been able to come to Cru this semester know that we're doing a series of teachings called "The Finishers", based on a book by our very own staff member Jason Weimer!  The book and our talks are about making the decisions and having the attitudes necessary to make finishing the Great Commission a reality in this generation.  For much more info, check out the book's website.

We here on the staff team understand what it's like to be human, because in addition to being staff members, we're human beings.  Thus we know that 2 or 3 weeks after you hear a talk, you can remember about 2 or 3 percent of it.  So we're going to be returning to some key points from the talks of this series here on the staff blog.  This way you can catch up if you missed a meeting, refresh your memory, or transfer stuff to your journal.  I'm assuming you keep a journal.

Without further adieu (read: rambling), here are some highlights from Laura's talk about taking the initiative in sharing our faith:

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“The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”  Romans 10:8-15

·         God has designed the gospel to be spread through us. Paul leads us through 4 logical points that show this:

1) People will call on Jesus to save them only if they believe He can do so.

2) Belief in Jesus only comes when people have knowledge about Him.

3) Knowledge only comes when someone shares the good news!

4) To share the news, we need to be sent.

à You’ve already been sent. Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus says “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

• Then why don't we share our faith more? What's holding us back?

1. We don't feel qualified

2. We're focused on selfish purposes in life, not God's purposes for our lives

3. We don't understand the importance or urgency of sharing the gospel

• Tips for sharing your faith

1. Walk with the Lord daily

2. Reach out as a community

3. Use the opportunities that Cru offers


You have the responsibility to share the gospel and the capability to do it because of the Holy Spirit living in you!

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We hope this has been a helpful reminder of (or first-time exposure to) Laura's talk.  I encourage you to think through some of the points above in the context of your own lifestyle.  What purposes are you focused on?  Why (or why not) do you view the need to share the gospel as an urgent one?  Have you been taking advantage of your Christian community and/or Cru's resources to share your faith with the people in your life?

Love,
the Pittsburgh Metro Cru Staff Team