Four Weeks Forward
WEEK FOUR

SHARING YOUR FAITH

This week we will focus on SHARING YOUR FAITH. Jesus wants us to tell others about our faith in Him.

You will want to have a Bible to read the recommended passages, and a notebook to answer the questions.

DAY ONE

Jesus didn’t just save your soul to let you go to heaven, though that’s a very gracious and amazing byproduct of resurrected life in Jesus! Jesus saves us into his kingdom so that we can be used and helping him build his kingdom. Right before Jesus left this earth, Matthew records his great commission and Matthew 28:18–20. Read that and record your thoughts.

What do you think in means to make disciples?
What is the mark of a genuine disciple according to Jesus?
The word go, therefore in the original language (remember the New Testament wasn’t originally written in English. It was written in Greek and Jesus probably spoke Aramaic…) This phrase really means as you are going make disciples. Make disciples as a command and as you were going as when and how and where you make disciples. It is as you live your normal life. How has God put you in places where you can make disciples?

DAY TWO

One day when Jesus was training his disciples, he sent them on a mission trip. He gave them an assignment and set them off to share the good news that Jesus was coming to teach.

Look up the story and Luke 10:1–12 and also versus 17–20.

Jesus says the death side goes out 2 x 2 and gives them instructions on what to do and what not to do. In your own words, summarize his commands.
Why do you think Jesus didn’t want his disciples to carry extra clothes or money or even say hi to anyone along the way?
Verse nine tells us the message. The disciples were to give the people. What was it?
The kingdom of God is the realm and reign of Jesus among the people, where they act with his law as their highest law, and live to honor him as king. Notice in verse 17 what happens when people accept the kingdom of God?

When we live our lives and obedience to Jesus, and with the boldness to follow his commands, we will see him do things we never thought possible!

DAY THREE

Jesus’ disciples one day had a coral between them. They wanted Jesus to reward their good following and helping. Sometimes in the mist of our serving, we forget that without Jesus, we were nothing in the first place! Look at how Jesus responds lovingly to his disciples in this argument.

Read Mark 10:42–45.

Jesus says that gentile (non-Jewish people) leaders, Lord it over them, meaning they exercise their authority heavenly to make sure other people know they’re in charge. What does Jesus say about how his followers are supposed to lead though?
Jesus says we must be servants and slaves. What do you think this means?
Notice that Jesus uses himself as the ultimate example of servant hood. Read verse 10:45 again and notice what Jesus' mission is. Write it down.
If we are to be like Jesus, what is our mission?

Pray that God would help you do this, and memorize Mark 10:45 today.

DAY FOUR

The mission of Jesus is to see people saved. Today, we’re going to look at a story of Jesus found in Luke.

Read Luke 19:1–10 and record your observations.

The story of Zacchaeus is filled with irony. He was a tax collector, which means he had big and corrupt powers. But he was a little dude, so I’m the day that Jesus came into town, he had to climb a tree. This guy probably is one of Danny No DeVito‘s ancestors… Iol… they were usually Jewish men enlisted by the Romans to get money from the Jews. They would turn on their family and extort money unfairly. Zacchaeus is trash. Knowing this, what do you find surprising about how Jesus interacts with Zacchaeus?
How does Zacchaeus receive Jesus? What happens in his life that is changed by Jesus?
Notice verse 10, Jesus gives another mission statement. What does he say?

Jesus is always a rescue mission to save the lost. Take some time right now to thank Jesus for the moment that he rescued you, and ask him to use you in the missions for other peoples souls.

DAY FIVE

The Christian on a mission is to share their story all over the place. Today we’re going to read a pretty comical story about a blind man who is brought into court because he was healed by Jesus. But it’s a great story and teaching us how to share our stories of when Jesus healed us.

Read John 9, the whole chapter. You can do it!

This story kicks off of the question from Jesus’ disciples. They wanna know what happened to this man that he was born blind. The common thought was that his parents sinned and their punishment for sin was having a son born blind. But the disciples couldn’t fathom how this was justice, since really the son was suffering for the sin of the parents, so they imagined it wasn’t the parents who sinned, but the man. But he was blind from birth. Classic chicken or the egg stuff here.

Notice how Jesus answers in verse 3. What does he say?
Verse 7 records a miracle. What happens?
How do you think this man’s life was now different?
Verse 8, the next verse, the man encounters opposition from who?
Verse 11, the man shares his story for the first time. What does he say?

Totally unsatisfied with his story, the neighbors bring this man to examine him. And they bring his parents into the situation, and they’re terrified of the leaders and don’t even defend their son. They just keep saying, ask him what happened!

Verse 25 contains the best one-liner of any testimony ever. It’s simple and concise and a physical picture as well as a spiritual picture. How do you see this answer as a physical picture? How is it a spiritual picture?

Verse 34, the man is rejected from the town because of his testimony. And I love how this story ends. Jesus himself goes to the man and comforts him in verses 35-41. We have this promise, that though the world may challenge us or deny us, Jesus is always there to comfort and cheer on those who speak up for his name.

Pray today for opportunities to share Jesus and your story with friends, neighbors, family members, religious people, and anyone else you run into as you work, play, and live.

TELL YOUR STORY

If you have found a message of hope in Jesus, we want to know your story! Tell us how you came to know Christ and the change He has made in your life.

Four Weeks Forward WEEK FOUR