Just Come And See Why Sharing Your Faith Doesn’t Have To Be Weird Or Intimidating Three Key Stories: A Man With No : John 1:35-50 A Woman With : John 4:1-42 A Man With : John 9:1-41 One Common Theme: All three told and nothing more. 1 Peter 3:15 When It’s Time To Share: Five Things To Keep In Mind Keep it . Luke 10:21/ Matthew 18:1-3 Stay focused on . 1 Corinthians 2:1-2/ 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 Answer when . Mark 6:11/ 1 Peter 3:15-16 Earn the right to be . 1 Peter 3:15-16/ 1 Peter 2:12/ Matthew 4:23-25 Leave the final results to . Mark 4:1-20/ Proverbs 21:30-31 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The best way to connect with us is the Connection Card in the bulletin. For the Digital Bulletin, visit myncc.info. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Support Our Ministry If you found this message beneficial and you would like to help continue our ministries, we would be grateful for your support. Go to northcoastchurch.com/give ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Life Group Study Questions For the week of January 22, 2023 GETTING TO KNOW YOU Tell us a little more about yourself… What three words best describe you? If you could win an Olympic medal for any sport, real or fake, what would it be? As followers of Jesus we’re called to live out His purpose and plan to reach others for Him. What’s your response? (Note any that apply.) Yes! Yikes! What? Other? This week we were given “Five Things to Keep in Mind” when we have the opportunity to share our story. Which one was most important for you to hear? Quick Review: Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or something that caught your attention, challenged, or confused you? DIGGING DEEPER As followers of Jesus, God has given us the privilege to help others see who Jesus is. Our hope is to be effective– to live a life “that earns the right to be heard.” How do the following verses guide us in what that kind of life looks like? As you read each passage, jot down anything that speaks to reaching and impacting others for Jesus. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 New International Version (NIV) Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. Colossians 4:2-6 New International Version (NIV) Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. John 13:34-35 New International Version (NIV) “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Choose a symbol below to indicate your reaction to what you wrote down in each verse. ! = On it and don’t want to forget it. * = That sounds challenging. ? = Not sure what that means. We heard this weekend that a powerful way of telling your “story” is simply sharing how God has changed your life and how He is at work now. Of course, when we hear that, some of us may still get nervous and unsure of what to say. Don’t worry, that’s why we’re covering this. Now, to help us be reminded of what God has done and is doing, read Titus 3:3-8. Jot down what comes to mind about how God has been at work in your life! Titus 3:3-8 New International Version (NIV) At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. Which part of this passage catches your attention the most? Is there anything else you would add to your story if someone asked? Thoughts to help you think through your story: Who was I before I met Jesus? What happened when Jesus found me? How is Jesus at work in my life now? TAKING IT HOME Looking back at this week’s message and study, what’s most important for you to remember? Do you have any prayer requests regarding this weekend’s message or for you personally? TIPS ON GROUP PRAYER Prayer is an important part of being in Life Group. Over the years, we've found that group prayer goes better when we follow three simple guidelines. WE PRAY FOR ONE TOPIC AT A TIME - Anyone in the group is free to introduce a prayer request, either before prayer begins or during the prayer time. Once a topic is introduced, the group focuses on that request alone. Once it's covered, the group moves on to the next topic. PRAY MORE THAN ONCE - Because the group is focusing on one topic at a time, each person is encouraged to pray several times during the prayer time for those topics they feel most led to pray about. No one is required to pray. WE KEEP OUR PRAYERS SHORT AND SIMPLE - Group prayer goes better when members keep their prayers short and to the point. When someone prays for a long time, it's hard for the other members to stay focused and long prayers tend to intimidate those who are just learning to pray out loud in a group. No one is required to pray out loud.