this little light

Many of us know the song "This Little Light of Mine" from when we were little, but in reality, what does that look like? What does evangelism look like? Evangelism is about sharing our light, Jesus, and His story with others. It is sharing the hope that Jesus died on the cross and took away our sins that we might live in eternity with Him forever and in the freedom of knowing we are forgiven. In 1 Timothy 2:1-4, we see how Paul instructs us to live with others to help save others and in a way that pleases God, who wants all people to be saved. However, we also see in 2 Peter 3:9 that God is slow in keeping his promise and patient so that everyone will repent and not perish. Though God could have chosen to have everyone follow Him and be saved forcefully, He decided to give us a choice, making us more like sons and daughters and not slaves. Yet even in this decision, it burdens Him that not everyone is saved, and it should burden us, His people, that there are people out there who are not saved and don't have the hope we do. 

  • Do you have a passion for sharing the gospel with others or do you find it difficult to talk about your faith?

  • What makes it scary to share your faith in Jesus?

The first step in evangelism is always prayer. When we pray for someone, they are more consistently in our mind, and we are more likely to speak life over their life when we are in tune with what the spirit might be saying to them or us about them. Colossians 4:2-6 reminds us to be devoted to prayer, being watchful and thankful. If you don't know where to start with evangelism, start praying for someone and watch as God brings you the words to say in His perfect timing. 

  • Do you often pray for unbelievers? If yes, do you find you can speak life over them more often? If not, do you find it hard to talk about your faith at all?

  • Have you ever had an experience where you prayed for an unbeliever, and God showed you how He worked in their life and transformed them?

Focusing on prayer affects how we live, which is a direct representation of who God is and the joy, hope, and peace He brings. In 1 Peter 3:13-16, we see how God calls us to live in a way that is an example of His life here on earth. We are to live fully in each moment, buying the whole moment and not being distracted by the things of this world. He also calls us to live with Him at the center of our lives. Verse 15 says, "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord" no matter what trouble may come from this world, when we keep Christ at the center, we have hope and a clear conscience. This allows us to stand out to unbelievers and will cause them to question what makes us that way and desire the hope we have. 

  • Do you find yourself often distracted by the busyness of life or other worldly distractions that make it hard to be in the moment with others?

  • Do you find time to be in the moment with God? Does that help you stay in the moment with others too?

  • Have you ever had someone ask you why you are so hopeful in the midst of something hard or painful? If so, what was your response? Were you able to share the gospel with that person?

Being consistent in prayer affects how we live, which affects how we speak to others. Our actions can speak louder than words, but our words can stick with people forever. God calls us to communicate with words full of grace and flavor, be gracious to others, and use our words to help encourage others. When we speak, we have the opportunity to show the world that we don't need to be right and prove ourselves needing to be our gods. Instead, we can speak with gentleness and meekness, knowing that ultimately God is right about everything, and we don't need to be. We have the opportunity to be gentle to others when maybe someone else may not be, showing the grace of God. When we keep our hearts reverent towards God, He is the most important person in our lives, and we don't need to prove ourselves to others either, keeping us humble and willing to uplift others. All of these things together give us the words to say to everyone who asks what is so different about us. God calls us to provide an answer to anyone who asks, and the more meek we are and full of grace and flavor, the more we will be able to have the words to say to others. 

  • When you speak to others, would they know that you are a Christian, that there is something different about you, or would they be shocked to see what you believe?

  • How often do you think about how you respond to people, especially unbelievers? What can you do to help you speak with more grace and flavor?

Make a move: 

This week, spend time in God's word and prayer, asking God to bring to your mind unbelievers that you can consistently pray for. Then, ask God to give you moments where you can interact with those people and show them and tell them about your hope in Jesus. Finally, let God continue to be the center of your life so that you may speak with grace, flavor, and gentleness as you share His saving grace.

Prayer prompt:

Father, we thank you that we have the gift of your Son, Jesus, and the gift of eternity with you. I pray that you would help me be sensitive to who you have brought into my life so that I can share the gospel with you and be an example of your love, hope, and grace. Please give me the words to say when I am with them so that you may be honored and that they may see your love and life in the way I act. Thank you again for your love and the gift of your Son. Amen.

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Worship Set: My Testimony | You Keep Hope Alive | Here Again | Promises