Following is Fishing | March 21.2010

1. Fishing for fish, like “fishing” for people, can be risky and unpredictable, but also immensely satisfying. Do you enjoy fishing? Why or why not?

2 Corinthians 5|18b-20 And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

Romans 10|14-1714 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” 16 But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

2 Timothy 4|3-53 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths. 5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.

Colossians 1|6 This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.

2. What are some of the worst foreseeable outcomes of sharing your faith with someone else? Have you personally had a bad experience telling someone about Jesus?

3. As evidenced by the above passages, there are many different reasons to tell other people the Good News about Jesus. What are these reasons (either from the passages or otherwise)?

4. Which reason for telling others about Jesus motivates you the most? Why?

5. What would be the result if no Christ-followers shared their faith? What hope would non-Christians have of being saved? If this was the case, do you think you would be a Christian today?

1 Corinthians 3|5-95 After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. 6 I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 7 It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. 9 For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.

Romans 1|16-1716 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. 17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

1 Corinthians 12|3So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit.

6. What point is Paul trying to make with the seed metaphor in 1 Cor. 3|5-9?

7. In a general sense, what is the difference between being a salesman of the gospel versus being a sign-post for the gospel? How would focusing on one metaphor over the other change the way you tell people about Jesus? Which mentality do you think is more effective? Why?

8. Do you think it is possible to debate someone into becoming a Christian? Why or why not? What place does debate or apologetics have in telling other’s about Jesus?

9. What should be our goal when we share our faith? What shouldn’t be? Why?

Next Steps:

What would you say to someone who asked you to explain the hope you have in Jesus? Would you have an answer?