This study guide is meant to be used as a simple tool to help your small group dive deeper into God’s word, nurture conversation, and draw your group nearer to Christ. As a leader, begin your group in prayer by asking the Holy Spirit to lead your discussion.

What is the best news you have ever received? Who were the first people you shared this news with?

Whenever we have discovered or experienced something that is really good, it is natural to want to share what we have found with others. This is also true when we discover what Jesus has done for us.
Sharing your new faith in Jesus has many benefits but may also involve some risks:

BENEFITS
• More people will have the opportunity to have the gift of eternal life.
• We will be obeying Jesus’ directions to make disciples.
• We will be part of Jesus’ mission team.
• Our own faith in Jesus will become stronger as we explore the answers to the questions people ask.

RISKS
• There are people who may reject us.
• We may not know how to respond to all of the questions or objections people ask.
• We have to find the balance between sharing too little or sharing too much.

DISCUSSION 1
WHAT WAS YOUR LIFE LIKE BEFORE YOU ENCOUNTERED JESUS?

DISCUSSION 2
THE TIME WHEN YOU REALLY MET JESUS AND UNDERSTOOD WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR YOU?

DISCUSSION 3
THE DIFFERENCE JESUS HAS MADE IN YOUR LIFE?

1 JESUS’ APPROACH
JOHN 13:34-35
The key to effectively sharing your faith in Jesus with others is to follow the example of Jesus:

• “Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching people. The Saviour mingled with people as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me.’” —Adapted from The Ministry of Healing, p143

2 PRACTICAL TIPS

ACTS 22:1-21
Here are some practical tips on how to effectively share your faith:

• Spend time with Jesus by reading the stories of His life in the Bible and talking with Him in prayer.
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to give you opportunities to share your faith.
• Listen to other people and ask them how they are doing in life.
• Offer to pray with them, then pray with them that God would make a difference in their difficult situation.
• Take practical steps to actually meet their needs.
• Share your personal story of how Jesus has changed your life.
• Share a simple gospel illustration of what Jesus has done for you.
• Find out answers to common questions that people ask
• Offer to explore the Bible with people that you know.

3 THE GOSPEL STORY
A good way to share the good news about Jesus is the Bridge Illustration which uses the following verses:

• “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
• “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” Romans 3:23
• “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
• “If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” 1 John 1:9
• “But as many recieved Him, to them He gave the right to become Children of God.” John 1:12