UNASHAMED MEETINGS HIGHLIGHTS
So you want to know a bit more about what we do at the unashamed meetings and what we have looked at...well enjoy, be challenged, and know that as you let God open your heart for those around you He will make you a "fisher of men..."
Equipping Christians to engage Islam...We were so pleased to have Beth Grove, of the Pfander Centre, at our last Unashamed training session in March teaching on Engaging Islam, that more Muslims might come to know the Jesus of the Bible.
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Illustrated Messages to share the gospel...
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We had a very practical, workshop-style training session on using Illustrated Messages to share the gospel. This was for everyone, whether they had never shared an Illustrated Message before, or whether they regularly do so. The principles considered can be used to share truths about Jesus on the red box or over coffee with a friend. The aim of the session was to sharpen each other and grow our skills and confidence in sharing the gospel in any setting.
After the training, we headed to the street in Ealing Broadway for a time of outreach. |
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...H&G productions present...Vital Signs...We took a whistle-stop tour through some of the highlights of the past 2 years of Unashamed, stopping to reconsider characteristics of a soul winner & spiritual disciplines, refresh ourselves on the Holy Spirit’s role in evangelism, the impact that the Cross has in sharing our faith, and “aiming” for the heart. Though it was a lot to cram in to a Saturday morning, we feel it right and important to revisit and refresh ourselves as we seek to be Jesus’ witnesses in our communities, workplaces, schools, and families. Thanks for joining us! |
BITE SIZE...
Sarah also taught us some helpful basic BSL signs to help us to share the gospel with deaf people in the 10 minute Bitesize slot.
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...H&G productions present...The Discipleship Test... |
BITE SIZE...
Our 'Bitesize' slot this time around was on witnessing to a friend in an informal setting like a cafe or restaurant. You can use a scrap of paper or a paper napkin!
There were four steps but you can adapt and share this differently as its not a formula but a helpful baseline: 1. For most of us we don't have peace with God. Maybe we don't even believe in God or feel He is a long way away. Isaiah 59:2 2. We try to fill the void with worldly stuff or bridge the gap with a pursuit of perfection or in religiousness. 1Peter 3:18 3. God knew that only He could bridge that gap through the death and resurrection of Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5 4. So where are you on the drawing...separated from God?, unaware of the bridge made by Jesus? |
Gareth and local Pastor Stuart Shackleton led a discussion on what it means to be a disciple and how evangelism integrates with this. We also examined the role of the Church in reaching the lost and growing the believer in their faith.
We also looked at the word Discipulus: latin for a learner, a follower...one who has a radical commitment to a lifestyle submitted to following Christ.
In Mathew 28 we looked at the great commission and the fact that the imperative/verb is not "Go!" but "make!". So we could say "as you go, MAKE disciples of all nations".
So we should be disciplining people into a faith in Christ as their Saviour and onward into maturity in that faith.
In Colossians 1 it says:
28 We announce the message about Christ, and we use all our wisdom to warn and teach everyone, so that all of Christ’s followers will grow and become mature. 29 That’s why I work so hard and use the mighty power he gives me.
So evangelism is not greater than discipleship but is part of the discipleship journey.
We also looked at the word Discipulus: latin for a learner, a follower...one who has a radical commitment to a lifestyle submitted to following Christ.
In Mathew 28 we looked at the great commission and the fact that the imperative/verb is not "Go!" but "make!". So we could say "as you go, MAKE disciples of all nations".
So we should be disciplining people into a faith in Christ as their Saviour and onward into maturity in that faith.
In Colossians 1 it says:
28 We announce the message about Christ, and we use all our wisdom to warn and teach everyone, so that all of Christ’s followers will grow and become mature. 29 That’s why I work so hard and use the mighty power he gives me.
So evangelism is not greater than discipleship but is part of the discipleship journey.
...H&G productions present...Aim for the heart... |
BITE SIZE...
Our 'Bitesize' slot this time around was on witnessing to Jehovah Witnesses. An excellent talk by James who was dad was a JW and so spoke from real experience and love for JW's. Romans 10:1-4.
He gave us 5 tips: 1. We are at war but not with JW's. It is the spiritual forces behind the deception. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. 2. Engage in spiritual "hand to hand" rather than "trench warfare". Get to know them and show compassion and patience. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. 3. Ask questions to provoke them into pondering what they believe in and where it originates from. John 5:39-40. 4. Introduce them to the real Jesus. Hebrews 1:2-4. 5. Be prepared to offer support to a JW who comes out of the society. 2 Timothy 2:24-26. |
Gareth presented a challenge to aim for the heart in speaking with people. A copy of the slides is attached below and he covered why is the heart so important.
If we stop to think about it, the heart is the motivation for what we do, expresses love and sensitivity, reveals our values, drives our actions, place of decision and desires. In ancient times the gut was thought the core of our being which we now attribute to the heart. Many references in the Bible from God, Noah, Pharaoh, David, Ezekiel, Jesus as well as many references.
Gareth expanded on two areas showing how we can reach the heart:
1. The Law is written on the hearts of men and women. An understanding of right and wrong.
2. Eternity is also written on our hearts. A desire not to die.
Finally Gareth shared some useful questions as a model from ontheredbox not as a formula but purposeful.
1. Can I ask your opinion?
2. Do you think many or few people will go to heaven? If you don't believe in Heaven, suppose it exists, do you think many or few will go?
3. Do you think you will go to heaven? why/why not?
4. On judgement day, God will judge us by His laws, such as the Ten commandments. Do you know them?
5. Have you ever...? (ask about 3 or 4 of the commandments and give practical examples).
6. Will you be innocent or guilty. Where do the guilty go?
7. Does that worry you? (if there is no conviction, remind them of the urgency of eternity and end the conversation).
8. What would you think about a person willing to receive yur punishment so you could go to heaven?
9. Repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ.
If we stop to think about it, the heart is the motivation for what we do, expresses love and sensitivity, reveals our values, drives our actions, place of decision and desires. In ancient times the gut was thought the core of our being which we now attribute to the heart. Many references in the Bible from God, Noah, Pharaoh, David, Ezekiel, Jesus as well as many references.
Gareth expanded on two areas showing how we can reach the heart:
1. The Law is written on the hearts of men and women. An understanding of right and wrong.
2. Eternity is also written on our hearts. A desire not to die.
Finally Gareth shared some useful questions as a model from ontheredbox not as a formula but purposeful.
1. Can I ask your opinion?
2. Do you think many or few people will go to heaven? If you don't believe in Heaven, suppose it exists, do you think many or few will go?
3. Do you think you will go to heaven? why/why not?
4. On judgement day, God will judge us by His laws, such as the Ten commandments. Do you know them?
5. Have you ever...? (ask about 3 or 4 of the commandments and give practical examples).
6. Will you be innocent or guilty. Where do the guilty go?
7. Does that worry you? (if there is no conviction, remind them of the urgency of eternity and end the conversation).
8. What would you think about a person willing to receive yur punishment so you could go to heaven?
9. Repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ.
...H&G productions present...Tough questions and Evangelism...Martin followed up the session with this challenge...
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BITE SIZE...
Our 'Bitesize' slot this time around was on "the4points.com". Everyone was given a wristband with the 4 boxes on them and after talking though what each symbol means and represents, we then workshopped sharing the gospel using this model. Best of all, the wristband was free for all who came along to Unashamed! Check out the '4Points' website for more info: www.the4points.com
Application-sharing your faith in a simple but effective way
-Great way of remembering the gospel message -Gives you something to talk about as you share what Jesus means to you -Fun way of breaking the ice with someone when they ask you what you are wearing Our theme for March was "Tough Questions". Martin led us through 5 of these 'tough' questions that are sometimes difficult to answer as a Christian. As Unashamed is all about equipping you to share your faith, we got into groups and each group was assigned one of these questions thinking about how best to answer it. It was very encouraging to hear what each group came up with. Someone who was leading each question through then gave a 'model' answer to help us think further on the issues.
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...H&G productions present...The Holy Spirit and Evangelism... |
BITE SIZE...
In this Bite Size slot, Gareth gave a 10 minute origami sharing your faith class...
Download the instructions...grab a piece of paper and have a go... |
Martin's follow up...plane encounters...What three "reasons" does Jeremy have not to share the Gospel... |
BITE SIZE...
For the July Bite Size Gareth gave a 10 minute overview on how to share with Mormons (Church of Latter Day Saints):
6 Important Points about Mormonism > They don't believe in the trinity > Some sins are beyond atonement of the cross > Need works as well as faith > God was a man and then became God > Men become gods in afterlife > Will only accept the King James Version of the Bible Application-sharing your faith -Be hospitable -Share your testimony (see below in April's Bite Size for more on this) -Ask why they believe in what they believe -Focus on the main issues...God, Jesus, salvation through faith. -Be aware that some questions will stop them talking with you The slides from the talk and the video of THE FAST SHOW is below ... The meeting's theme was FISHERS OF......
“We’re no longer fishers of men, but keepers of the aquarium, and we spend most of our time swiping fish from each other’s bowls”
William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury (1942-1944) Martin's talk laid the Biblical foundations of being fishers of.. and the call to share the good news of the Gospel of Christ. Martin also called us to read our Bibles all the way through lest our witness is compromised. Here is the link to a helpful resource... www.ewordtoday.com/year/ |
...H&G productions present...How to share your faith...2013 Martin gave a talk on authenticity.
"What we lack of our religion is we do not know God" Andrew Murray. Martin's talk laid the Biblical foundations of authenticity and the call to go deeper with God. The slides from the talk and the video of Penn from Penn & Teller is below ... The meeting's theme was AUTHENTICITY...
Martin sets out a challenge ... |
BITE SIZE...
The April Bite Size was a two-minute testimony time. We got in groups of two and shared our testimony in under two minutes to each other! Gareth gave a 5 minute overview:
4 Important Points > Life before knowing Jesus > How you met Jesus > Difference He's made > Challenge - what about you? *Guide - about 30 seconds each point Application - Sharing where someone has limited time: such as a bus stop, on a tube, in the street, etc. - If we can condense our testimony, we can always expand on it to suit the context. - Short, sharp and to the point. Penn Jillette, an atheist, on why we should witness... |