A Model for Sharing Your Faith

 Acts17:1-4



1 "When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. 4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women."  (NIV)

In Acts Chapter 17 verses 1-4 we discover a model for sharing our faith. Paul is at the city of Thessalonica. When he arrived he went straightaway to a synagouge to teach. This was always his custom upon entering a new city. At the synagouge we discover that Pauls strategy for sharing the Gospel had four elements. First he sat with all those present and 'reasoned' with them. In other words, he engaged in freindly conversation. Second, during these discussions, he explained his view of the Messianic scriptures. Third, he gave evidence supporting his contention that Jesus was the Messiah and finally, he declared that Jesus was, in fact, the Messiah.

I think that Pauls approach to those in the Temple was one given him by God. The scripture tells us that he was so effective that some in the synagouge, including many devout Greeks and many women were persuaded of the truth he presented them.

I believe that if we are to sway others, we must have a well reasoned discussion concerning the things of God. Contentious debate rarely convinces anyone of anything. If fact, it may further harden the positions others have always taken. We must learn, in our outreach efforts, to approach people in a kindly and temperate way always being the voice of reason.

We must also recognise that our authority is the scripture, not our personal opinion or viewpoint. Those may be helpful, but only God's word can be used to effectively make our case for the Gospel message.

We must present clearly who Jesus is, why He came into this world, why it was necessary for Him to die on the Cross and what He accomplished by defeating death on the cross. He is the Messiah and we must not only present arguments in support of this contention but we must declare to all with whom we speak that Jesus IS the Son of God, Savior of the world.

One other point that might be useful. This narrative indicates that Paul continued to teach in the synagouge for a period of three weeks. in other words, he was persistent. He was a man on a mission who had a very clear objective. That objective was to save as many as he could.

How effective are your efforts to save the lost. Let me encourage you to immerse yourself in the methodologies found in scripture. Todays lesson shows us one. There are many others.

May God Bless you!