The Black Church: Obstacles to Sharing Our Faith Presenter: Bishop Brian R. Thompson, Sr. Presiding Prelate, Western Episcopal District Leadership Training Institute Bishop W. Darin Moore, Presiding Prelate The Charge to All Believers: All
"The Black Church: Obstacles to Sharing Our Faith" is the property of its rightful owner. Permission is granted to
download and print the materials on this website for personal, non-commercial use only, and to display it
on your personal computer provided you do not modify the materials and that you retain all copyright
notices contained in the materials. By downloading content from our website, you accept the terms of this
agreement.
Presentation Transcript
01
The Black Church:
Obstacles to Sharing Our Faith Presenter: Bishop Brian R. Thompson, Sr.
Presiding Prelate, Western Episcopal District Leadership Training Institute
Bishop W. Darin Moore, Presiding Prelate<br>
02
The Charge to All Believers: “All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5: 18,20 NIV<br>
03
How We Often Respond: Excuses, Excuses! It’s not my ministry.
I don’t have a dramatic story of deliverance.
I’m a private person.
I might say the wrong thing.
I don’t want to intrude on another person’s beliefs.<br>
04
What’s the REAL Deal? We Don’t Know How
We Don’t Understand the Work of the Holy Spirit
We Are Afraid of Rejection
We Don’t Want to Infringe of the Beliefs of Others
We Don’t Make Time
We Don’t Understand Relationship Evangelism
We Don’t Know What to Say
We May Not be Confident in Our Own Faith
We May Not Ourselves Be Saved<br>
05
We Don’t Know How One of the biggest obstacles to sharing our faith is that we simply don't know how. We may feel like we are not equipped to answer tough questions or lead someone to Christ. However, we need to remember that it is not our job to convert someone - that is the work of the Holy Spirit. Our job is simply to be obedient and share the Gospel message with those who are lost.
Philemon 1:6 (NIV)<br>
06
2. We Don’t Understand the Work of the Holy Spirit It is not our job to convert anyone. That work belongs to the Holy Spirit.
He is the Spirit of Truth
He is Our Guide
He is the Prover of Sin, Righteousness and Judgment
John 15:26-27; John 16: 7-15 (NIV)<br>
07
3. We Are Afraid of Rejection Another obstacle that often keeps us from sharing our faith is fear of rejection. We may be afraid that if we share our faith with someone, they will reject us. However, we need to remember that it is not our job to be popular or make everyone like us. Our job is to be obedient and share the Gospel message, even if it means being rejected by others.
Romans 1:16-17 (NIV)<br>
08
4. We Don’t Want to Infringe on the Beliefs of Others Many believe that it’s improper and politically incorrect to share one’s belief system when it comes to personal faith because people have the right to believe (or not believe) as they wish. But sharing doesn’t have to feel weird or be awkward. Sharing the gospel is simply telling someone else how good God has been to you. The Holy Spirit will do the rest.
Romans 8:1 (NIV)<br>
09
5. We Don’t Make Time Sometimes we may feel like we don't have enough time to share our faith with others. We may be too busy with work, school, or other commitments. However, we need to remember that evangelism is not a part-time job - it is a lifestyle. We should always be looking for opportunities to share the Gospel with those around us, even if it means making time in our schedules for it.
Colossians 1:1-6 (NIV)<br>
10
6. We Don’t Understand Relationship Evangelism When we are open about our own faith and belief in God and engage in simple, honest conversation about our struggles and victories, it is a source of encouragement to others. It also serves as a way to begin exchanging ideas about faith, and results in what’s called relationship evangelism. It is never our job to convert someone; our job is to simply tell others about the one who can.
I Peter 3:15 (NIV)<br>
11
7. We Don’t Know What to Say Another obstacle that often keeps us from sharing our faith is not knowing what to say. We may feel like we don't have the right words or that we will say something wrong. However, we need to remember that it is not our job to have all the answers - it is only our job to share the Gospel message. The Holy Spirit will work through us and give us the words to say when we are sharing our faith with others.<br>
12
8. We Are Not Confident in Our Own Faith When we do not feel confident in our own faith, this can keep us from sharing it with others. We may doubt our own beliefs or feel like we are not “good enough” Christians. However, we need to remember that it is not our job to have all the answers or be perfect Christians - it is only our job to share the Gospel message with those who are lost. The Holy Spirit will work through us and give us the strength and confidence we need when sharing our faith with others.
Galatians 2:16; 1 John 5:4 (NIV)<br>
13
9. We May Not Ourselves Be Saved We can go to church our entire lives, but if we never accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, we are just good church workers. The intimate relationship we have with Jesus is such that we cannot keep it to ourselves. We want to share with others the wonderful change we have experienced and we want others to experience it as well. Hesitancy to share can be an indication that we ourselves have not made that personal commitment.
Romans 10: 9,10 (NIV)<br>
14
The Solution? Like Nike Says: Just Do It!
Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life
He saved you, He wants to do the same for others
WE are who He has chosen to use for that purpose
Will you accept the call to share your faith?<br>
