Boldly Sharing Our Faith - Part 1

“Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12:34
 
An 8th grade girl approached her youth minister and said, “Gary, would you teach me how to share my faith with my friends?” “Sure, Jennifer,” he replied. However, when the following week rolled around, all of the girls were talking about Jeremy, the new boy in the youth group. Over the next few weeks, Jeremy and Jennifer took an interest in each other and a relationship sparked. Jennifer was full of weekly news about Jeremy; how wonderful he is, how creatively he planned their dates. On and on Jennifer went about him. Then one evening at youth group, Gary noticed all of the girls huddled around Jennifer. The relationship was over, and she was heartbroken. The following week, Jennifer found Gary and said, “Do you remember me asking you to help me share my faith with others? Well, I got a bit distracted by this relationship, but I’m ready to learn now.” Gary replied, “Jennifer, you’ve already learned how to do it. When you care about Jesus like you cared about Jeremy, you’ll have no trouble at all sharing your faith with your friends.” 
 
This verse reveals a powerful principle in God’s design for humans. Whatever we care about the most will fall easily from our lips. To find out what is in a person’s heart, you just need to listen – they will naturally and enthusiastically talk about it, or him, or her. 
 
The same is true for each of us as adults as well. We may truly believe that Jesus is Lord, that He came to die for our sins, to save us from eternal punishment, and to empower us to live abundantly here on earth.   Do you know how someone discovers that these truths have captured the affection of our hearts? They just need to listen. Our words reveal the treasures that we cherish. 
 
Let me leave you with two questions which apply to adults and kids alike: 

1. If people try to figure out what you cherish, just by what you say, what would they conclude about you? 
2. Just by listening to your words, what might people conclude about your faith in Christ? 

 Consider reading this story about Jennifer as a family, and then talk through these questions together.