TOPIC: Outreach
REFERENCES: Acts 26 (MSG), Acts 9 (MSG), Colossians 4:6 (NLT), 1 Peter 3:15-16 (NLT), Mark 5 (MSG)

SUMMARY
“These days God and His people have an image problem, a serious image problem. It’s a problem that has been brought about to a large degree by people who advertise themselves as being Christians, but who by their way of life and witnessing style betray the lifestyle and the witnessing style of Christ himself. As a result, many people in our culture are hindered from receiving the gospel because of their mental image of what Christians are like. Their stereotypes of Christians include such ideas as, Christians are bigoted, narrowminded, insincere, judgmental, that Christians enjoy making other people feel guilty, and afraid and uncomfortable, and that Christians try to convert by using emotionalism, manipulation and harassment.”—Leighton Ford, “The Power of Story”

For many in this culture, Church is a dangerous place, not because of the life changing message of Jesus, but because it’s a place of abuse and deception, a place where many have a memory merely of being taken advantage of. But it doesn't have to be that way. Instead of obnoxiously confronting people with words that they may not see backed up in our lives, we need to let our lives stand before our words, authentic and true. Then our personal story will have the power to influence other people more than a stack of archeological volumes or philosophical arguments ever could. Everyone has a story to share.

Prerequisites to sharing your story:

1. You need to have a personal encounter with Christ yourself
You can’t lead where you have not been. If you’ve not personally experienced a personal wake up call, then you can’t share a story that you don’t have.
-Write out your story.

2. Having a personable plan
-How we present our story is as important as the content of our story. Our lives must demonstrate what our words are saying.

3. A personality that perseveres
-Don’t sit back and be content to tell the same stories you were telling 20 years ago. Jesus calls us to be His disciples, a learner. New stories emerge. Always keep learning. Always keep writing new stories.

MY COMMENTS
Also be sure to check out The Edge of Faith Podcast: Everybody Has A Story. It is the story of Gordon Venturella.