Sharing Your Story,

October 21 – Sharing Your Story – Galatians 1:11-24

Each of us has a story to tell. We have all been changed by the gospel. And people around us not only need to be served by us, but they also need to hear why we are serving our communities and living a different lifestyle. Each one of us has a unique story to tell. You are the only one who sharing your own story of faith (testimony).

One of the ways to learn to share our faith is to write out our story is to use the following template:

1)      My life before I committed my life to Jesus . . .

2)      My life when Jesus became real to me . . .

3)      My life following Jesus into meaning and purpose . . .

Use the following questions to guide your writing:

1)      How is my life different because I am a follower of Jesus Christ?

2)      Who were and are the people who have helped and are helping me grow in my commitment to God’s way of life in Jesus Christ?

3)      How has God worked in my life to help me grow as a disciple of Christ?

4)      What is God doing right now in my life that is good news?

Tracie notes that Paul, the first missionary of the church, shared his faith story. An example is Galatians 1:11-24.

¹¹ I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. ¹² I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.¹³ For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. ¹⁴ I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. ¹⁵ But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased ¹⁶ to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. ¹⁷ I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.¹⁸ Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cepha and stayed with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.²¹ Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. ²² I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. ²³ They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” ²⁴ And they praised God because of me.

Pray that the Holy Spirit will lead you into a disciple-making ministry that will lead to

faith-sharing and mission.