Power of the cross
The Good News of the Gospel
There is one God and He made everything, including us. He made us to be with Him and know Him. But we cut ourselves off from Him and sinned, following our own ways. Instead of rejecting us, God, in return, made a way to save us from our rejection of Him. He came to earth in the form of a man, Jesus. Jesus lived perfectly before God in this world. He took upon Himself all the punishment for the sins that anyone ever committed. He died on a cross as punishment but rose again to show that God was pleased with Jesus’ sacrifice for sins. Now anyone who turns to Jesus and calls on Him to save them from their sins can be made totally right with God! They can come into a new life with God being able to live as they were made to. This life will also last forever.
Salvation Scriptures
share them with your loves ones
John 1:12
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.
Romans 3:23-26
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Isaiah 59:2
But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you,So that He will not hear.
Romans 10:9-10
That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:13
For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Salvation
Prayer of Salvation
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me!
I know that I am a sinner, and I ask Your forgiveness for all the sins that I have committed. Please wash me in the blood of Jesus Christ and cleanse me from all of my sins. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord of my life and believe in my heart that God the Father has raised Jesus from the dead.
Today, I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Saviour. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit and write my name in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
I know that I am a sinner, and I ask Your forgiveness for all the sins that I have committed. Please wash me in the blood of Jesus Christ and cleanse me from all of my sins. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord of my life and believe in my heart that God the Father has raised Jesus from the dead.
Today, I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Saviour. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit and write my name in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Preparing Your Testimony
1 Peter 3:15-16
“If someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way.”
Your Story is His Story
Every time we tell our story (our testimony), we give honour and glory to God, and He is pleased with that.
Your story – regardless of how “spectacular” or “ordinary” you think it is – is a story about God’s character. It is your eyewitness account of how God rescued you from sin and death through Christ and changed your life as a result.
When we share our story with others, we help them get to know what God is like and what He can do.
Your story – regardless of how “spectacular” or “ordinary” you think it is – is a story about God’s character. It is your eyewitness account of how God rescued you from sin and death through Christ and changed your life as a result.
When we share our story with others, we help them get to know what God is like and what He can do.
Be Ready
Whether you are in line at the grocery store, sitting with a family member or standing in front of a group of people, the Bible calls us to “always be ready” to explain our hope in Christ with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15-16, NLT).
Sometimes we like to think that because it’s our story, we don’t have to do anything to be ready to tell it. After all, we were there when it happened, and we’re living it now.
Yet, we can get nervous, become side-tracked or forget things when sharing our testimonies, which can be confusing or distracting for those listening. This is why a little preparation and practice can be so valuable.
Yet, we can get nervous, become side-tracked or forget things when sharing our testimonies, which can be confusing or distracting for those listening. This is why a little preparation and practice can be so valuable.
Put it Together
Let’s take a look at how to put your story together, section by section. There are five basic parts to your story: the opening, your life before Christ, how you came to Christ, your life after Christ, and the closing.
1. The Opening
Identify a theme you can use to frame your story. What did your life revolve around (e.g. relationships, your reputation, money) that God used to help bring you to Him? Briefly illustrate how that influenced your life.
2. Your Life Before Christ
Paint a picture of what your life was like before you came to Christ. Don’t dwell too much on, or brag about, past sin struggles. Share only the details that relate to your theme – just enough to show your need for Christ.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- What about my life before Christ will relate most to the non-Christians I know?
- What did my life revolve around? Where did I get my security, identity or happiness from?
- How did those things begin to let me down?
3. How You Came to Christ
Give the details about why and how you became a Christian. Communicate in such a way that the person you are talking with, and anyone who overhears you, can understand how they can become a Christian, too. Even if your listeners are not ready for that, God could use your story and explanation of the gospel to draw them to Himself in the future.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- When was the first time I heard the gospel?
- What were my initial reactions?
- When and why did my perspective of Christ begin to change?
- What were the final struggles that went through my mind just before I accepted Him?
- Why did I finally decide to accept Christ (or give Him complete control of my life)?
4. Your Life After Coming to Christ
Share some of the changes that Christ has made in your life as they relate to your theme. Emphasise the changes in your character, attitude or perspective, not just mere changes in behaviour. Be realistic. We still struggle as Christians. Life is far from perfect, but what’s different about your life now?
Ask yourself the following questions:
- How is my life different now? List some specific changes in your character, attitude and perspective on life.
- What motivates me now?
- What do I live for?
- Even though my life still isn’t perfect, how does knowing Christ help me deal with that fact?
5. The Closing
End with a statement that summarises your story and connects everything back to your theme. If you want, close with a Bible verse that relates to your experience.
Now that you’ve answered these questions take a few minutes to write out your story as if you were telling it to someone.
Helpful Hints
- Pray before you write out and share your story. Ask God for wisdom and the words to say.
- Don’t be overly negative or positive. Be honest.
- Don’t criticize or name any church, denomination, organization, etc.
- Think about your listener(s).
- Avoid overly-religious terms.
- Aim to keep your story to three to five minutes. At that length, it’s easily something you can share in a conversation without it becoming a monologue.
- Practice your testimony out loud several times until you feel comfortable with it.
The Lord can use you to help others come to know Christ. Ask God for opportunities to share your story and the gospel with others.
Once the person you ministered to want to know more, you can use the other links under the evangelism tools button.
Then always remember to invite this person to attend church and a cell group with you.
GROUPS
This is where we Learn, Grow and Encourage
You were never meant to follow Jesus alone. Groups provide an intentional opportunity for you and other Christians to encourage one another, to pray for one another and to serve one another. Sunday services are important, but God intended us to gather together in community with other believers. That’s where Groups come in. You’ll have the opportunity to study God’s Word, ask questions & make new friends. Some Groups meet in a home, others meet online. Some twice a month and others every week - they all study the message from Sunday’s sermon and pray together.