WHAT’S YOUR STYLE?

Good Morning! 

When it comes right down to it, Paul really set the standard for passionately giving away one’s faith to others when he said, “I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.”

Yesterday, we looked at three styles of sharing our faith, gleaned from the pages of Scripture—intellectual, interpersonal, and confrontational--today, three more.  At least one, and maybe more than one, ought to ‘free you up’ to give away your faith. What do you think?

4.  The blind man had a testimonial style.  John 9 records the story of a man born blind who Jesus healed.

Traits: The person with the testimonial style is usually a clear communicator, good listener, honest and vulnerable about personal life, overwhelmed by the account of how God reached them; sees links between their own experience and that of other people’s.  Have you had an experience that changed everything for you?  The blind man said it so simply in John 9.25—“One thing I do know—I was blind but now I see.”  What have you seen or heard that would impact others?

Key verse: 1 John 1.3 – We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us . . .

5.  The woman at the well had an invitational style.  In John 4, this woman had a real encounter with Jesus, and ran back to the people in her town, saying, “Come and meet the Man who told me everything about me, and loved me anyway.”  She invited them to ‘Come, meet Jesus’ . . . and they did!  My friend, Kim, invites, and because people love and trust her, they come….very cool.

Traits of the ‘inviter’:  Typically hospitable, persuasive . . . enjoy meeting new people—committed, (she believes in the things in which she is involved), and loves to have an opportunity or event to invite others.

Key verse: Luke 14.23 – Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.’

6.  Dorcas (Tabitha) had a serving style.  Acts 9 described Dorcas as a disciple always doing good and helping the poor.

Traits:  patient, others-centered, sees needs and finds joy in meeting them, shows love through action more than words, attaches value to menial tasks.

Key verse:  Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven. Matthew 5.16.

There you have it—six styles of sharing the Good News--TESTIMONIAL style (tells what they experienced); INVITATIONAL style (invites folks to a place they can meet Jesus); SERVING style (shares God’s love by meeting the needs of others); and yesterday’s INTELLECTUAL style (shares with reason and logic the facts of the Gospel message); CONFRONTATIONAL style (gets right to the point, powerfully sharing the love and message of God); INTERPERSONAL style (through relationship or friendship, uses their conversational manner to talk about the Gospel).  Six styles – honestly, at one time or another, each of them and all of them have been “me”.  How about you? 

‘Something I was thinking about earlier today—you may start with one style, say serving, because that just works for you, and then as your faith relationship grows, you may morph into a different style or add another style of sharing. 

Why?   What’s the point?  What was Paul’s ‘deal’?  And, was it only meant for Paul?  Paul knew how Jesus had radically changed his life, and he was compelled to give the gift of grace he had been given away.  Me too.  If you don’t feel compelled, ask God to put that desire in your heart today.  And then you can see with ease ‘what is your style’.

“Lord, it seems like so many people feel hopeless in our world; they’ve lost their way.  Yet You are the answer.  You are the way—the way to peace.  Give us hearts like Paul’s--so concerned, so motivated to point others to God.  Give us courage, O Lord.  Amen”

Use your style . . .

Christine

Resource: Becoming a Contagious Christian, Bill Hybels and Mark Mittelberg