Sharing My Story
Next Level Relationships – Part 1
October 1-2, 2022
“And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.”
1 Peter 3:15b (p.936)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere…” Acts 1:8 (p.830)
John 4:1-30
Series Memory Verse: “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.” Romans 12:9 (p.866)
- I Will Take My Relationships To The Next Level By Sharing My Story.
- Understand everyone has questions.
“The woman said, ‘I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.’ Then Jesus told her, ‘I AM the Messiah!’”
John 4:25-26 (p.809)
Messiah: A deliver, a Savior, a ruling king who rescues His people. (Christ)
“Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’”
Matthew 16:16 (p.747)
- Use your own faith story.
“The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, ‘Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did!‘”
John 4:28-29a (p.809)
- Unlock their curiosity.
“‘Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?’ So the people came streaming from the village to see him.”
John 4:29-30 (p.809)
My Next Step This Week:
____ I will take my relationships to the next level by sharing my story with someone.
Who? ________________________________
____ I will take my relationships to the next level by sharing my story with Alive Church.
Discussion/Groups Guide
Next Level Relationships – Part 1 “Sharing My Story”
Life Groups use this guide in their discussion and study of the Weekend Talk. Use this also as a discussion guide with your family and friends.
Conversation Starters
- When have you felt really embarrassed? What was causing the embarrassment? Was it because the situation was accurate regarding something about you, or because it was not accurate?
- Why do we get embarrassed?
- Have you ever felt embarrassed FOR someone else? What happened?
- On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate yourself with regards to your boldness in telling others about Jesus?
Quick Review
Looking back at your Weekend Talk Notes, was there anything you heard in the service that stood out to you, challenged you, or maybe even confused you?
Discussion Starters from the Weekend Talk
Refer to the Talk Notes and Bible verses from the Talk Notes.
I Will Take My Relationships To The Next Level By Sharing My Story.
Series Memory Verse: Romans 12:9 (p.866).
- How does living in “real love” affect our ability to share our story?
One Voice Bible Story Background: The Woman at the Well: John 4:1-30 (p.812 (Focus on v29-30))
- See also 1 Peter 3:15b (p.936); Acts 1:8 (p.830); Romans 12:9 (p.866)
- What are some of the things you see happening in John 4:1-30?
- Has anyone ever asked you about your hope? What are other ways this question might be asked?
- Is it OK to volunteer the information without being asked? How does relationship factor in?
- Do you feel powerful when it comes to sharing your story? According to Acts 1:8, should we feel powerful?
- What is Paul talking about in Romans 12:9?
Application: Let’s look at some lessons we can apply to sharing our story
- Understand everyone has questions. (John 4:25-26 (p.809); Matthew 16:16 (p.747))
- The Samaritan woman asked a question in verses 9, 11, 12, and 19. What were her questions and how did Jesus answer them?
- What is significant about verses 25-26?
- Use your own faith story. (John 4:28-29a (p.809))
- Whose story did the woman tell?
- What is your faith story? Can you tell it in very basic terms, like an “elevator speech?”
- If you could use two words to describe your “before and after” of your faith story, what would they be?
- We also see the disciple Andrew doing this in John 1:40-42 (p809). He told his brother, Peter, and look what happened! Have you ever pointed someone to Jesus, and they followed through and are still following through? How do you really feel about this?
- Whose story helped point you to Jesus?
- Unlock their curiosity. (John 4:29-30 (p.809))
- What do you think made her story so impactful to the people of her village?
- What were the results?
- Challenge: Who are you praying to have the opportunity to share your faith story with? Pray for them as a Group.
Digging Deeper
Sharing the gospel fills some people with real fear, but this is from Satan. He will put into your mind that you will be ridiculed, persecuted, or simply fail. In many parts of the world, there is a genuine risk to sharing the Christian faith.
Take a look at an example of sharing one’s story. It is from a familiar source, the Apostle Paul. Read Acts 21:26 – 22:22 (p.850-51). It starts with Paul and others going to the temple in Jerusalem after returning from what is known as his third missionary journey. Their exploits in evangelism had turned many Jews against them. The Jews at the temple try to kill him but he is saved by being arrested.
- What things stand out from this passage for you and why?
- Why do you think Paul starts his story saying he is a Jew and saying where he is from?
- Whose story does he tell? Why is that important?
- What do you think caused the crowd to throw off their coats and toss dust in the air? Do you know what that signified? Look it up if you don’t.
My Next Steps this week:
____ I will take my relationships to the next level by sharing my story with someone. Who? ________________________________
____ I will take my relationships to the next level by sharing my story with Alive Church.