When Liz's cousin Herbert comes back home for a visit, he and Lucille are challenged to be better witnesses to their friends. But why is it easier to witness to a stranger than to their friends?
Before You ListenTheme: Telling your friends about Jesus.
1. In Matthew 28:19a Jesus gives a command, “Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples”. Imagine the verse says “Go to your neighbors and make them my disciples”. Do you think that would be an easier or harder command to follow?
2. Paul the missionary was willing to travel anywhere in the world to tell people about Jesus. No matter what happened, he knew that God was always with him. The book of Acts ends by saying that "Paul preached boldly about God's kingdom. No one could stop him from teaching people about the Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 28:31). As you listen to this episode, think about how you preach boldly about God’s kingdom.
“Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,”
A: He didn't think Spike would want to come.
A: Because your friends know you too well.
In this story Liz and Lucille had a hard time witnessing to their friends. It is hard. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t important to do. “Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19a). In this verse, Jesus commands us to go and tell the world about Jesus’ salvation.
Practice being a witness in your own neighborhood. Make a plan with your parents about some idea about how to show your friends and neighbors that Jesus' love is for everyone. If you are witnessing to friends, remember some of Herbert’s advice to Liz and Lucille.
Want to dig deeper and learn more about being a servant worker? Check out Romans 10:13-14, Revelation 14:6 and Psalm 96:3
One of the pieces of advice Herbert gave Liz and Lucile about sharing Jesus with friends was to use their own stories to tell people about Jesus. It is easier to share Jesus with others if you can see clearly the difference he has made in your life. Time for some story writing! Write out three stories about times you really saw Jesus working in your life. They do not have to be long. Writing out stories makes them easier to remember when you are talking to your friends. Look for opportunities to tell your stories and be a witness for Jesus.