crossing the line

Our Roadmap Session 1: Why Become a Contagious Christian Lost people matter to God; they matter to u__________ R________________ evangelism Session 2: Being Yourself Evangelism Styles Positives (and cautions) of your styles Session 3: Building Relationships Friends/Family, New Friends Three Approaches to starting spiritual conversations 2

Roadmap Session 4: What’s Your Story? BC, MC, WC Session 5: What’s God’s Story? God, Us, Christ, You “Do vs. Done”, “The Bridge Session 6: Crossing the Line Session 7: Putting It Together Session 8: Objection!

Preview Practice telling your story a second time Identify the steps in being a disciple of Jesus Practice praying with someone who has believed/received Christ, by faith

Prayer, Community Building Group Leader: The nicest person at your table (or in your small group)  Lead your group through the following: Everyone acquainted in your group? 2. Have you ever been present when someone first professed faith? If so, what was it like? Talk about how we, as a family of faith, should act/react the same way when a baby is baptized. 5

Remember “Your Story” Take a few minutes to jot down the summary points of your personal faith story: ____________________________________ 6

Crossing the Line Five Steps: 1. Assess Readiness 2. Ask if Believe 3. If “Yes”, Celebrate! 4. Thank You Prayer 5. Take the Next Step

Assess Readiness “Have you come to the point of TRUSTING CHRIST, or are you still thinking about it? Where would you say you are RIGHT NOW in the process? Is there any reason you wouldn’t want to believe right now, and get ready to be baptized?”

Ask: “True & For You?” When friend is ready, simply ask: “Do you believe that what Jesus did is true, and is for you?”

Celebrate Not everyone will react the same way What matters is that they believe Others are celebrating (Luke 15:10)

Thank You Prayer Pray with(for) your friend in order to… Thank the Giver for the most precious gift that can ever be received. 11

Take the Next Step Prepare for Baptism Acts 9:18 ___________________ Acts 8:12 ___________________ Acts 8:27-39 ___________________ Acts 18:8 ___________________ GET INVOLVED with other Christians PRAY READ THE BIBLE Relate to SEEKERS

Video Vignette: Nate and Paul What did you like about how Nate handled the situation? What could have been done better? Did you notice the “decision theology”? What better, Biblical words could Nate have used instead? ____________________

Activity: Practice the Words Pick a person from your Impact List. Ask a person in your group to act in that role (person’s name, how you know him/her, where s/he is on the Readiness Scale, etc) After you’ve practiced the five steps of “Crossing the Line, the listener(s) will give feedback Trade places

Wrap-Up Reviewed your personal story Identified the steps in leading a person “across the line” of faith Practiced the steps of “Crossing the Line”

Our Roadmap Session 1: Why Become a Contagious Christian Session 2: Being Yourself Session 3: Building Relationships Session 4: What’s Your Story? Session 5: What’s God’s Story? Session 6: Crossing the Line Session 7: Putting It Together Session 8: Objection! 16

Closing For the coming week: Review and practice what you’ve learned, asking God for help, guidance, and opportunities Read the Lutheran Witness article(s) Let’s pray… 17