APPROACHES TO SHARING THE GOSPEL IN THE BIBLE BELT

APPROACHES TO SHARING THE GOSPEL IN THE BIBLE BELT

By Ted Sandquist

Find some scriptures that ‘attach’ to these contexts...think on them...pray for those you are building relationally with by name and prepare to talk to them in November or during the Holiday Season.

1—Building prayer for healing or a need.

2—What God did in sending Jesus calls for a response from us...have you ever made a response to God for the gift of Jesus? This is an opening to talk personally about your own story.

3—Are you a believer in Christ...a follower? Especially here in the Bible-belt this distinction is quite clear to those raised in the church.

Romans 1:10… so that you might believe and obey

Matthew 11:33… take my yoke upon you and learn

4—What do you/we/they need to awaken to? Sometimes a “wake up call” is what God uses to get people’s attention...sometimes He uses a “now” word because it is full of the Holy Spirit...ie. Advertisers are using awakening and wake-up right now...very interesting.

5—I’d like to tell you my story,

6—Can we have a discussion about spiritual life with no need for a debate or a ‘winner’ or ‘loser’?

7—Did you know it is possible to know God? He is the one who said, “Now this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)

8—Sometimes we can start with a scripture the Lord gives us that is either very alive to us or that He has given to us specifically for the person we are to talk to...the Scriptures are very powerful in and of themselves. Let’s think about being His voice to this person.

A Believer, A Witch, A

Seeker and A Healing

We don’t have to go on tour to minister…
Just ask Gloria or Suzi or each other, “how was God present to you and through you this week…

Thursday an elderly Whiz Kid tutor thanked me for praying a simple prayer of healing for her the week before—she received a healing and seemed quite surprised!

Friday we went “treasure hunting” Fri am: stopped at Starbucks and asked the manager if he knew the meaning of his name (Micah) and if he was a follower of Jesus—yes to both. Then I spoke to a witch who believed Jesus was the one cast out of heaven. Last of all I went back through the check out just to give a simple word to a cashier that God wanted her to know He was with her and she was not alone. She said she hasn’t been practicing her faith but just got this job and knows she is being blessed.

Practice makes permanent
I like the sound of that—“practicing our faith.” Sometimes I practice unbelief, disobedience, laziness, worry, fear, negativity, etc… Practicing our faith is much more fruitful and joyful. Last week Gary Cake said we need to see ourselves bearing fruit. So how was your practicing this week? Prayer? Service? Giving? Witness?

Remember why Jesus had to suffer: the outcome of his agony is the triumph of the life of God in us and through us to hurting people – resurrection joy! He answered forever the problem of evil (why people suffer) and gave us the antidote for the problem of hypocrisy—His grace teaches us and helps us in all our weaknesses.

Please pray for yourself and for us to have Courage: it’s our theme for MC tour this next month. Courage is not the absence of fear but acknowledging it, asking for help (grace) and going ahead to do what is right in spite of fear and doubt and the devil’s lies in our minds. How did Jesus embrace and overcome suffering? 

Declare and pray these Scriptures over yourself and us:

“Love compels us.” 2 Cor 5:14
“Since we have hope we are very bold.” 2 Cor 3:12
“They spoke boldly for the Lord who bore witness of His grace granting signs and wonders.” Acts 14:3
“His grace gives us unfailing courage and a firm hope to encourage you and strengthen you always to do and to say what is good.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
“You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace.”
“Those who go forth weeping bearing precious seed shall doubtless come again rejoicing bringing fruit with them.”
Love motivated Him. We ask that grace and love motivate us all with courage. “The righteous are bold as a lion” Jesus is the Lion who makes us bold in love.

Courage proves love and love proves courage. 

-PD