*We are currently taking a pause in our usual sermon-based curriculum for your group to review our One Life curriculum. We hope this will encourage your group to take steps in sharing your faith with the people around you!
BIG IDEA
If you have been tracking with us over the past few weeks, we talked about The Difference One Life Can Make. We have talked about being a light in this world, building intentional relationships, and starting a spiritual conversation. After you have grown in these types of relationships, people will see and know that there is something different about you. They will want what you have. This is why every believer in Jesus Christ has to be ready to share His message with others. We have found that one of the easiest ways to do this is by using the Bridge Diagram. This study looks at how to communicate the message of Jesus by using our version of the Bridge Diagram.
BREAK THE ICE
What is the worst bridge that you have ever been on, and why?
(This discussion will be different because it includes practice.)
Have your group divide up into pairs so they can share their story with another person. Let them know that their partner should be their spouse or someone they know really well. If there is an odd number of people, make sure that you, as a leader, sit out and listen in on the other conversations. Have them pick a person A and a person B. Let them know that you will start by having them share their two-minute stories. Pull out a watch or a timer and time them as they share their stories. Tell them to take turns listening to one another, not saying anything, asking questions, or interacting. At the end of the first two minutes, stop them and then have them switch. Give them two minutes for the other person to share their story. When they're done, ask them the following questions:
What was this experience like sharing your two-minute story?
What surprised you about sharing your story with someone else?
Have you ever shared your story like this outside of a church? What was that like?
Once you have finished sharing stories, please give them the harder challenge of sharing the Bridge Diagram. Watch the video again before doing this. The more you see the video, the more it moves into a conversation about Jesus rather than a memorized script. Give everyone a sheet of paper and have them practice with their same partners. This time give them 3-4 minutes to share the Bridge Diagram. Start and stop them just as you did before. We have found that the easiest way to start sharing about Jesus is by saying something like: "The best way I can show you how a person becomes a follower of Jesus is through a simple diagram…" When you are finished, debrief the exercise by asking the following questions:
1. What was hard about sharing the Bridge Diagram? What came easily and naturally to you?
2. Acts 1:8 says, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." In what way does the Holy Spirit work through us when we share this story with others?
3. What is the danger if we don't share this with others?
4. What would the result be if everyone at Sagebrush knew and practiced this tool with those who are far from God?
MOVING FORWARD
Make it a rhythm to practice your two-minute stories and the Bridge Diagram as a group. Don't let this one discussion be the last time you ever see this material. Instead, encourage your group members to trade off every month with another partner to practice their two-minute story and the Bridge Diagram once a week. The hope is that you can share this message, not as a memorized script, but with emotion as you remember what Jesus did for you on the cross. We pray that this sparks a movement in all of our locations to reach people for Jesus.
CHALLENGE: Over the next few months, pray that God will give you an opportunity to share the Bridge Diagram with another person. A great place to get practice is to sign up to help in our decision room. To get more information, please register here.
Wallpaper available for download in the Sagebrush App.
John 1:14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
John 1:14
So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
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