Lesson 3
|
In this lesson we will cover:
NOTE: To reach out effectively, it helps to go where people's hearts are. This message addresses needs of the heart only God can fully meet: love, acceptance, belonging, purpose, forgiveness and the hope of living forever with God in heaven. |
|
START by ASKING A QUESTION, something like...
Have you ever heard of John 3:16... It's a very important verse in the Bible. It contains God's main message to mankind and what He desires for us... May I share with you what I've discovered in this verse? (or what God wants us to have and experience) |
COACHING TIP: ASK PERMISSION TO SHARE "May I share..." shows respect. And their answer will tell you if you should proceed. Also, it helps you as a witness, to not have to "force it to happen". Feeling like it's all up to you keeps many Christians from sharing. Be assured that if God is working in their life, they will be open to talking with you. If they are open...proceed. If they say "no", take it as an indication that God would not have you share with them at this time. Thank them and silently pray for an opportunity sometime in the future. |
|
USE THESE 5 KEY QUESTIONS...
to talk about 5 KEY WORDS in John 3:16 1. What does God want us to experience? Key word: LIFE. 2. What keeps us from experiencing this? Key word: WORLD (sin). 3. How does God feel about this? Key word: GOD's nature. 4. How did God solve our problem? Key word: SON (Jesus). 5. How do we begin to experience what God desires? (Key word: BELIEVES.) |
COACHING TIP: MEMORIZE THEM There isn't a lot to memorize with this method. However, memorizing these 5 questions and 5 words early on in your learning will go a LONG way in helping you become comfortable, confident and competent in sharing the Gospel. Once memorized, they will easily guide what you want to say. With a little study and practice, it will become natural. Most of you know how to share your faith better than you think. Usually it's just a matter of organizing what you ALREADY KNOW! |
|
SHOW THEM JOHN 3:16 (if Bible available or using a tract)
For GOD so loved the WORLD that He gave His one and only SON that whoever BELIEVES in Him will not perish but have eternal LIFE. |
COACHING TIP: EMPHASIZE THE 5 WORDS IN BOLD These 5 key WORDS serve as "talking points" as you explain the Gospel. |
|
(Question #1)
What does God want you to experience?
[Talk about LIFE...something like this.] John 3:16 tells us that God wants us to experience and "have eternal life". What does He mean by that? Surely it's more than living and surviving. Yes, the "life" He is referring to is much deeper, personal and meaningful. Real LIFE is what God desires for you. He wants you to experience "real life" that addresses "real needs". Something He calls "life to the full" - both now in this life and forever (eternally) in heaven. God wants you to know His acceptance of you, right NOW, and experience His love, forgiveness and peace. It means to experience hope and His help now and throughout your life. And to discover life with real purpose and EMPOWERED to do what is right in His sight. Plus the hope and assurance of living with God FOREVER (eternally) in heaven. These are desires and needs we have, but... [Identify several concepts or phrases that would help you remember this.] |
COACHING TIPS: Ask the 1st Question to start talking about LIFE. You ask it just to "guide" the conversation. Just to set the stage for what YOU want to talk about. (In other words, you don't ask it expecting them to give an answer.) You might say something like, "Let's first consider 'what does God want us to have and experience'. As we look at John 3:16, He's referring to LIFE - but it's much more than just breathing and existing on this earth." Then explain how God wants to impact our lives now and... forever. Now: By experiencing His love, acceptance, peace, purpose, etc. (What the Bible refers to as the "abundant" or "full" life.) Forever: Having the assurance of going to heaven eternally with God. [TIP: This is a good time to ask, Do you know for sure you will go to heaven? In 1 John 5:13 Jesus tells us we CAN KNOW FOR SURE.] [Note this message addresses basic needs people have and long to have met. These are needs that only God can fully address. As a result, many people will identify with this message. Give an example or two how God has helped you and made a difference in your life. If they are going through a difficult time, point out that God cares and wants to help them too.] [General Suggestion: Focus on the LIFE God desires for us...NOW and FOREVER.] |
|
(Question #2)
What keeps you from experiencing it?
[Talk about the WORLD (our sin)...] We see in this verse God is speaking to the "world" or mankind - you and me. It's easy to see this is a broken world. It has a disease called SIN. Why? Because it is the home of sinful people. Each one of us is a sinner - we all fall short of God's perfection. We tend to ignore Him and do things or have thoughts that are not pleasing to a holy and perfect God. Our sin creates a division and SEPARATION from Him. This breaks our relationship with God now and can result in a permanent separation from His presence. That's what is meant by "perish" referring to a place God calls hell - a place without light, love and Him. But God cares about you so... [Identify several concepts or phrases that would help you remember this.] |
COACHING TIPS: Use the 2nd question to to start talking about WORLD (sin) Instead of bluntly accusing calling someone sinful, it can be helpful to start talking about sin by looking at a "broken" world and why it is that way. Secondly, noting we are "all sinners" which would include the person you are speaking with. Helping people realize their sin and consequences help them realize their need of a Savior. Note that sin is anything we do, say or even think that is not pleasing to God. (The 10 commandments quickly reveal sinfulness.) As sinners we presently stand guilty and "condemned" by God - we must be rescued. Consider how much you want to talk about hell. Saying the word "hell" sometimes slams the door on a conversation. Will it help or will it shut down the conversation? Look to the Holy Spirit to guide you. Maybe just talking about "going to be with God in heaven" would be sufficient. [General Suggestion: Focus on... SIN and SEPARATION.] |
|
(Question #3)
How does God feel about this?
[Talk about GOD... something like this.] We see in John 3:16 that God LOVES you and wants you to experience His love. Yet He's holy, perfect and JUST therefore He must punish sin. His perfect justice requires that He punish sin. Because He loves you, God doesn't want you to perish. He doesn't want you to be separated from Him forever because of your sin. And God wants to help you break the problems it causes today through a close relationship with Him. So God, in His love for you, did something to solve the problem! [Identify several concepts or phrases that would help you remember this.] |
COACHING TIPS: Use the 3rd question to start talking about GOD Here is where you point out that God loves us but He is also just and must punish sin. But in His love, He solved our problem in Jesus. [General Suggestion: Focus on... God's LOVE and JUSTICE.] |
|
(Question #4)
How did God solve your sin problem?
[Talk about the SON...something like this.] God tells us in this verse that He solved your sin problem through His "SON". Jesus is the "SON'. Jesus is both GOD and man. Or, God who came in the form of a man. He lived a sinless, perfect life and didn't deserve to be punished. But Jesus DIED on the cross taking upon Himself the punishment you and I deserve. Then Jesus rose from death to live forever. And Jesus wants you to experience life to the full now and forever in relationship with Him. [Identify several concepts or phrases that would help you remember this.] |
COACHING TIPS: Use the 4th question to start talking about SON Point out that the "Son" refers to Jesus. (Some do not know this - don't assume they do.) Point out that Jesus IS God...in the flesh (John 1:1 and 14). Point out that He came to die taking the punishment of our sin. Because He is the infinite God He could take all of our sin - everyone's sin. Because He was and is "perfect" Jesus is the perfect sacrifice. Make sure to point out that Jesus rose from the dead - He (God) is alive today to help us through a personal relationship with Him! [General Suggestion: Focus on... Jesus being GOD and His DEATH.] |
|
(Question #5)
How do you begin experiencing 'real' life?
[Talk about BELIEVE...something like this.] John 3:16 says that you need to "believe" (trust fully) in Jesus. It says, "whoever BELIEVES has eternal life". It means to have faith in WHO He is - God in the flesh. It means to trust in WHAT Jesus did for you on the cross. He died to take the full punishment for all your sin so you might be forgiven. Jesus rose from death. That means He is alive right now. And Jesus desires to have a personal relationship with you. You can begin to experience life as He desires for you by receiving or inviting Him into your life. [Identify several concepts or phrases that would help you remember this.] |
COACHING TIPS: Use the 5th question to start talking about BELIEVE Help them understand what it means to "believe" by referring to words like "trust" and "faith". Faith in Jesus being God. Trust in His death being sufficient punishment for our sin - the perfect sacrifice. Believing Jesus is alive to walk with us, guide us and lead us home to heaven with Him someday. [General Suggestion: Focus on faith in... WHO Jesus is and WHAT He did for them.] |
|
ASK THEM
__________, do you sense Jesus speaking to you to take this step of faith and believe (trust) in what He has done for you? |
COACHING TIPS: As we witness, we can trust the Holy Spirit to reveal the spiritual presence of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit makes Jesus "real" and present. Make this very personal. Use their name and simply asking if they sense Jesus presence and encouragement to respond to His invitation. Remember, it's really Jesus who is asking to enter into relationship and receive His forgiveness. |
|
HELP THEM
(If they are ready to respond to Jesus' invitation) Great! You can take that step today. It's as simple as A-B-C:
Prayer is simply talking to God. It's a way to express your faith and respond to His invitation. I suggest that we pray right now and tell Jesus what you want to do. Are you comfortable praying without my help? Otherwise I can help you by leading you in a prayer. Here is a sample of how you can express your desire to follow Him: Dear Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe You died on the cross to take the punishment for my sin. I believe You rose again and are alive to help me live a life in friendship with You. Thank you for Your love and acceptance. Jesus, I want to commit my life to follow You. Come into my life and change anything that is not pleasing to You. Amen. [Identify several concepts or phrases that would help you remember this.] |
COACHING TIPS: Use A-B-C as a good way to remember what it means to make this commitment to respond and follow Jesus. It also can serve as a simple outline for the prayer. PRACTICE THIS! Role play it with another Christian to get comfortable doing it. You don't want to keep you from helping someone who is ready to respond. If they are NOT READY to respond:
THOSE WHO DO RESPOND:
Save a copy of this lesson:
| ||
