Sharing with Your People

God often demonstrates in Scripture that the first people He wants us to share with are the groups we already belong to. For example, In the book of Acts, both Peter and Paul went to Jews first, sharing Jewish stories.

In Acts 2, when Peter stood to give his first public sermon, he preached on the day of Pentecost, a Jewish celebration of the early barley harvest and the giving of the Torah (the first five books of the Bible) on Mount Sinai. His sermon identified Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah as Jesus. Jesus was their long-awaited fulfillment!

A Gentile, not having been raised with the expectation of a Messiah, would hot have understood, or appreciated what Peter or Paul were saying.

Shortly after giving my life to Jesus, I started a Bible study at my workplace. I have no idea if I “should” have been leading the study or not. I just knew Jesus loved my co-workers, and these were “my” people. I didn’t tell them Jesus was the Messiah; that would have meant nothing to them. I told them Jesus loved them and had life for them.

I worked out at a gym for six years. Before I joined, I asked the Lord to send me to the gym where the people were that He wanted me to reach. I can work out anywhere. I wanted to go wherever He wanted me going. And you know what? He didn’t lead me to start a Bible study at the gym; instead, He led me to build relationships with people.

Over time, I prayed with many of the men and women there, even seeing one man healed of an ankle injury. These people became “my” people. I earned credibility with them that opened gospel opportunities.

I’m most comfortable talking with people about Jesus over breakfast, coffee, or lunch. I love the one-on-one dialogue. So, I regularly ask “my” people to share a meal. Typically, the Spirit directs the conversation by creating an opportunity for me to share my story. Since I’m with somebody I already have a connection with, the transition is super comfortable and easy. Who doesn’t want to hear about the story of someone they know?

Who are your people? Where did you come from? In what circles do you travel? How is God our Father preparing the way for you to share your story with them? Make a list of your people who don’t know Jesus. Begin praying for them. Ask the Lord to create opportunities for you to share with them. Invite them to a meal. Be ready for the Holy Spirit to guide the conversation. Then, use your story in your language and your way that speaks to your people.

In these conversations, you’ll get questions you don’t know the answer to. Don’t be afraid. There’s no way you could have every answer no matter who you are. Simply say an appropriate form of “That’s a great question. Let me find out the answer and get back to you.” Let the Holy Spirit work, and watch what He will do through you!

There’s not a better time than right now to make an investment in “your” people.

The following is an excerpt from my book, GO: Flex Your Story Power, available from the Trexo website or Amazon.