Communicating Your Faith in a Style That Fits You!
The Goal of Becoming a Contagious Christian To prepare us to be Christians who are active in leading others to Christ.
Session 1 Question #1 Why should I become a contagious Christian?
Session 1 Answer #1 Because people matter to God. When we truly love someone; what is important to them becomes important to us.
Session 1 A Lesson from Science The Anthropic Principle When we look at our world it is designed to support and nourish life.
Session 1 A Lesson from Business The Customer Revolution The customer is “always right”.
Session 1 Question #2 Does my attitude and actions toward people reflect Christ’s?
Session 1 3 Stories – 3 Lessons The story of the lost sheep. The story of the lost coin. The story of the prodigal son.
Session 1 3 Stories – 3 Lessons Common Element #1 Something of great value was missing. A sheep, a coin, a son.
Session 1 3 Stories – 3 Lessons Common Element #2 that which was missing was important enough to warrant an all-out search. Time, money and reputation
Session 1 3 Stories – 3 Lessons Common Element #3 Retrieval results in rejoicing.
Session 1 The Benefits of Becoming a Contagious Christian (What’s in it for me?)
The Benefits of Becoming a Contagious Christian ADVENTURE “The Christian life is one of faith, where we find ourselves routinely overdriving our headlights but knowing it’s okay because God is in control and has a purpose behind it.”
The Benefits of Becoming a Contagious Christian PURPOSE “It’s incredible to realize that what we do each day has meaning in the big picture of God’s plan.”
The Benefits of Becoming a Contagious Christian FULFILLMENT “There’s nothing more satisfying than effectively furthering God’s redemptive purpose for humanity!” What is that purpose? It’s summed up in 2 Peter 3:9.
The Benefits of Becoming a Contagious Christian SPIRITUAL GROWTH Scripture reading Prayer Worship Personal purity Church attendance
The Benefits of Becoming a Contagious Christian SPIRITUAL CONFIDENCE “Engaging in efforts to extend your faith to others can go a long way toward strengthening your confidence in your own beliefs. ”
The Benefits of Becoming a Contagious Christian ENDURING INVESTMENTS We ought to orient our lives around the only things that do last: God, His kingdom, and people like you, me, and those we’ll reach for Him. These alone are worthy of our central passion.”
The Benefits of Becoming a Contagious Christian THE HONOR OF BEING GOD’S AGENT “God has chosen us to be His agents. He’s given us the high honor of speaking on His behalf. And He promises to empower and use us in the process.”
The Costs of Becoming a Contagious Christian Time and Energy Reading and Study Money Risk of Embarassment or rejection It complicates your life!
Components of Contagious Christianity Contagious Christianity is fueled by love. It flows out of AUTHENTICITY. It’s built on relationships.
Components of Contagious Christianity It’s both actions and WORDS. And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? Romans 10:14 (NLT)
Components of Contagious Christianity It is a process. My job was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God, not we, who made it grow. 1 Corinthians 3:6 (NLT)
Components of Contagious Christianity It’s always a partnership. Who is Apollos, and who is Paul, that we should be the cause of such quarrels? Why, we’re only servants. Through us God caused you to believe. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. 1 Corinthians 3:5 (NLT)
Components of Contagious Christianity It’s always a partnership. (cont.) A person’s coming to Christ is like a chain with many links... There are many influences and conversations that precede a person’s decision to convert to Christ. I know the joy of being the first link at times, a middle link usually, and occasionally the last link. God has not called me to only be the last link. —Cliffe Knechtle
Individual Activity Begin a Prayer List and an Impact List
Recommended Reading Chapters 1–2