Transcript Sharing your faith (At work)

SHARING
YOUR FAITH
(AT WORK)
(DISCUSSION AND DIALOG)
• Sharing your faith at work – Acceptable or not?
• Brainstorm acceptable ways to witness
• The best way to witness
• Sharing your faith
• Sharing the story of Christ
• Giving your testimony
• Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on
you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
• Matthew 28:18 – 20 (The great commission)
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on
earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have
commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of
the age.”
• Mark 16: 15-16 “15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach
the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be
saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
• Romans: 13:1- 5 “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities,
for there is no authority except that which God has established. The
authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently,
whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has
instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For
rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do
you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right
and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for
your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for
no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on
the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not
only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.”
• Hebrews 13:17 “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their
authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an
account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be
of no benefit to you.”
• 1 Peter 2: 17-19 “17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family
of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. 18 Slaves, in reverent fear
of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who
are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it
is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering
because they are conscious of God.
• Caterpillar on-line harassment training (religious examples)
• 1 Peter 3:13 – 15 “13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do
good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.
“Do not fear their threats[a]; do not be frightened.”[b] 15 But in your hearts
revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to
everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
But do this with gentleness and respect,”
• Display your faith (create opportunities)
• Bible on desk
• Scripture in email
• Bible quotes on wall
• Inspirational picture
• Pray (Silent) at lunch
• Share it at Toastmasters, etc
• Memorize scripture and us it
• Talk about weekend plans, including church etc. Get personal.
• Small statements of speech, like praise God.
• Be generous
• Share yourself with others.
• Do you think you can be persecuted at work? How? (EOS feedback)
• Could your faith cost you advancement at work ?
• What do you think you should do if persecuted ?
• Should you report it ?
I Peter 3: 13-14 “13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do
good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.
“Do not fear their threats[a]; do not be frightened.”[b] 15 But in your hearts
revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to
everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
But do this with gentleness and respect”.
• Is it good to invite other Christians to Wednesday studies? Yes Why?
• Help strengthen each others faith
• They can reach out to other believers
• Helps everyone think about sharing the gospel at work
• Keeps us focused on God and his will first.
• Support each other.
• When co-workers see a life of faith, they will likely listen to what you say (Milo Twist)
• James 2:17: In the same way, faith by itself, if not accompanied by actions, is dead.
• Colossians 3:17 “17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in
the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
• What do your actions show ? (what do people see)
• Life of hope – how you act in tough times / personal trials
• Language, temper,
• Honesty in our actions
• Apologies when wrong
• Grace, Kindness, support when others struggle
• People are watching you !!
• Statistics show that “Once the average person becomes a believer in
Christ, he or she loses all contact with unbelieving friends within 2
years” (Patton, 2004 “Should Christians have unbelieving friends”)
• Where is the easiest place for us to make meaningful relationships with
nonbelievers? Not church, not bars, work, where you spend your time
• Jesus vs Pharisees on dealing with sinners …..
• Luke 5:27-32 7 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the
name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, 28
and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. 29 Then Levi held a
great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax
collectors and others were eating with them. 30 But the Pharisees and
the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his
disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31
Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the
sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
• How do we connect to coworkers ? (brainstorm)
• Create opportunities (social outings, lunch )
• During the tough times of others (prayer)
• Walk to someone’s desk rather than email or phone. Build on the
personal relationships
• Make an effort to know people personally. Know about their family,
hobbies, pets, whatever. Ask about them.
• Take water breaks with them. Walk with them, talk about non-work
• Go to happy hours with them but honor God in your actions
• One on one time with people.
• Others…….
• 1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be
prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the
reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and
respect”
• 3 minute testimony
• Your story is never too boring. (Be honest)
• No wrong way to share …. Three recommended parts
• When did you hear about Christ?
• When did you make the decision?
• What is different now?
• Matthew 28:18 – 20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in
heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples
of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded
you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
• Romans 3:23 “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
• Romans 6:23 “The wages for sin is death”
• Romans 5:8 “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”
• Romans 10:9 “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in
your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
• Not by “being a good person”, “doing good works”. It’s a gift.
• Just share it. Only God saves people, changes their hearts.
• Slide 6 – Display your faith – one action
• Slide 8 - Invite someone new to midweek
• Slide 11 – Connect with non-Christians – 2 actions
• Slide 12 – Bullet out your 3 min testimony
Bonus – Share your story with someone