Objectives:
- Understand the role of the Guide in others spiritual journeys.
- Identify the sound barriers that hinder the Guide, understanding principles for breaking through.
- Sharpen the understanding and ability to use Christian community, life-story and gospel presentations.
- Initiate a gospel conversation for this coming week.
Note: This session has 60-90 minutes worth of material. So you must decide what will be most helpful for your group and prioritise what you will cover.
Section 1: Needed: Guides
[Optional] Movie Clip: Scene from the Matrix (Excerpted from John Eldridge,
Waking the Dead. Pg. 19-21)
Two men are seated across from each other in a dark room. Outside, a thunderstorm rages in the night, shaking the old house to its foundations. Flashes of lightning are dimmed by heavy curtains, which have been drawn because it is a secret meeting. This is the first time these men have ever met, though they have been searching for each other most of their lives. Not a moment too soon, their destinies have crossed. One of them, a tall black man dressed all in black, carries the aura of a spiritual master. The younger man, trying his best to conceal the fact that he is frightened and uncertain, might become his disciple. It all depends on a decision.
- Morpheus: I imagine that right now you’re feeling a bit like Alice, tumbling down the rabbit hole?
- Neo: You could say that.
- Morpheus: I can see it in your eyes. You have the look of a man who accepts what he sees because he’s expecting to wake up. Ironically, this is not far from the truth. Do you believe in fate, Neo?
- Neo: No.
- Morpheus: Why?
- Neo: Because I don’t like the idea that I’m not in control of my life.
- Morpheus: I know exactly what you mean. Let me tell you why you’re here. You’re here because you know something. What you know you can’t explain. You feel it. You’ve felt it your entire life. There’s something wrong with the world. You don’t know what it is. But it’s there, like a splinter in your mind, driving you mad. It is this feeling that has brought you to me. Do you know what I’m talking about?
- Neo: The Matrix?
- Morpheus: Do you want to know what it is?
- [Hesitantly, Neo nods his assent.]
- Morpheus: The Matrix is everywhere. It is all around us. Even now in this very room. You can see it when you out your window, or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work, when you go to church, when you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.
- Neo: What truth?
- Morpheus: That you are a slave, Neo. Like everyone else you were born into bondage, into a prison that you cannot taste or smell or touch. A prison for your mind. Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You must see it for yourself.
- [In each of his open palms, held forth as an offering, the older man is holding two capsules, one red, the other blue. He is offering the younger man a chance at the truth.]
- Morpheus: This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. You take the blue pill—the story ends, you wake up in your bed and you believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.
What do you observe about the realities and challenges of being a guide from Morpheus?
Compare and contrast three guides:
- What do they have in common?
- What was different
- What did each say?
- What did each do?
The key principle: Guides lead people to Jesus.
Optional: This can be an ideal time to share a significant evangelism experience that illustrates being a guide. Share the story and let the participants identify principles or insights into:
- God’s part: What did God do within this interaction? What did he have to do to make it happen? Etc.
- Your part: What did you do to make it possible? Etc.
Section 2: Sound Barriers & The Power of Permission
Review the sound barriers from "The Explorer". The sound barriers that the guide must break involve:
- Moving from general spiritual conversation to the gospel, and,
- Moving from discussing the gospel in general to personalising it, helping them respond.
[Share a conversation/relationship that illustrates the challenges of breaking through the sound barriers.] The ease of the sound barriers is dependent on the interest or openness that your exploring uncovers.
Key principle: Normally, the best way to move to a deeper level is to seek permission.
The Power of Permission
At times, a barrier will be minimised when the interest of the other person is piqued and they express a curiosity or desire. This interest can be fostered by carefully sharing “inviting glimpses” into your spiritual experience. We’ll talk more about this in a few minutes, as we talk about sharing life-stories.
More often, the path through the barrier of general spiritual conversation to the gospel is found in asking permission.
- Can I show you something that has really helped me?
- Can I explain what has really made sense to me about this?
- Discussion: What does asking permission do?
[Shows respect. Protects the relationship. Tests interest or openness. Etc.] In on-going relationships where you will have opportunity to talk in the future, the key word in seeking permission is “SOMETIME”.“SOMETIME, can I show you something about this that has really helped me? It’s a short outline that gives the essence of what the Bible says about this.” This takes the pressure off the moment. Most often, people will respond in the affirmative. Then all that is needed is to make an appointment or plan an engagement (over coffee, etc.) When you get together to talk, the purpose is clear and atmosphere open.
Section 3: Pathways to Christ
There are three primary tools that a Guide will use to help another come to Christ.
- Christian Community – Gospel Environments
By simply inviting others to a gathering of believers (whether that is a formal meeting, like a Bible study or weekly gathering, or an informal gathering, like a party or get-together), the not-yet-believing are exposed to the embodied love and truth of the gospel. Many people become involved with believers, experiencing the gospel community before they place their personal trust in Christ. It is an ideal environment to journey toward Christ.
- Life Stories – Gospel Illustrations
Your experience with Christ can be a powerful communication of Gospel truth.
- Presentations – Gospel Explanations
Simple clear presentations of the Gospel, like "Would You Like To Know God Personally?", can be powerful tools to help a person understand the gospel or cross the threshold the decision of faith.
Section 4 – Life Stories
After exploring another person’s experience, the most natural thing in conversation is to share a little bit of yours. Notice the key modifier – it is a little bit. Most people today are not that interested in hearing a long, detailed story about you. Your story’s greatest useful will often be to spark interest. Consider these biblical examples. Can you communicated your story in…
- In an inviting sentence – John 4:29
Notice the Samaritan woman expressed her encounter with Jesus in a simple, intriguing statement and invitation. “Come see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could he be the Christ?” But that simple statement was powerful enough to draw her entire village of Sychar to check out Jesus. Verse 39 tells us that “many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me everything I ever did.’”
How would you express your encounter or experience with Jesus in a single, brief, inviting statement? (Let them reflect for a few moments, than have a number of people share examples.
As you think about what you would share, evaluate it. Would anyone come check out Jesus as a result? If not, you might need to think how you can express experience in a more intriguing, inviting manner.
- In an amazing list – Mark 5:19, 20
Remind them of the context. The delivered demoniac wants to follow Jesus. But Jesus sends him back to his people to “tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” As a result, “all the people were amazed.” What are some of the amazing things God has done for you? [Let them quickly mention as many as possible – Forgiven my sin; given me peace; hope; eternal life; purpose; etc.]
How can you express those things in a way that sounds amazing to another person (as amazing as they truly are!)? Take forgiveness for example. Is it amazing? (Yes!) How could you explain it in an amazing statement? [Let them try.] The point is that we need to reflect on our experience with Christ and consider how we can briefly, yet powerfully communicate it to others.
- In a brief story – Acts 26:1-32
Twice in the book of Acts, we read of Paul telling his experience in story form – before coming to Christ, how he encountered Christ and the change is has made [Acts 21:37-22:21; 26:1-32. You might note that both times he obtained permission to tell it.] Luke, the writer of Acts tells it a third time in recounting what actually happened [Acts 9:1-19.] Clearly, a brief telling of your experience with Christ in story form can have a powerful effect. But notice, in each case, you can read aloud Paul’s story in three minutes or less. Can you clearly and articulately tell your story in three minutes or less?
Section 5 – Always Prepared
There are many ways to effectively communicate the gospel. You should learn a few of them to be prepared to help guide others to Christ. One easy method is to memorise Romans 6:23 (it’s only 20 words) and the diagram that goes with it. It is an adaptation of the diagram in "Would You Like to Know God Personally?" booklet.
“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
There are three phrases with three key ideas within each. Write the phrase as you draw the diagram and dialogue about it.
- “The wages of sin is death”
What is a wage?
What is sin?
What does it mean by death?
- “the gift of God is eternal life"
What is eternal life?
Who gives eternal life?
What is the difference between a wage and a gift?
- “in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Gifts often come in packages. When you get the package, you get the gift. What “package” does eternal life come in?
What does it mean that Jesus is the Christ?
How does he become our Saviour and Lord?
Encouraging a decision
Have you ever received Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord, or is that something you are still heading toward? Would you like to receive him now? If so, we could pray together. I’ll pray first and then you can pray, expressing your desire in your own words. Would you like to do that?
Section 6 – Using Tools to Guide
One of the simplest and clearest ways to share the gospel is to read through an outline, like The Four Spiritual Laws or Would You Like to Know God Personally? Simply read the outline conversationally, making sure they can see it. Pointing and underlining can help focus their attention.
The Big Six
The Big Six are questions that help clarify Would You Like to Know God Personally? They do not add to it or lead into tangents. Memorise these questions; it will only take 5-10 minutes. They will help you to communicate the gospel with clarity and to know how well the other person understands.
- How would you define sin?
- So, have you ever sinned?
- Why did Christ die on the cross?
- What do you think this verse (Ephesians 2:8, 9) is saying?
- What is the main difference between the circle on the left and the circle on the right?
- What is the main thing that this prayer is expressing?
The Threshold of Decision
The threshold of decision is found at the intersection where belief in the truth of the gospel, awareness of the need for the Saviour and the willingness to trust him meet. Three questions to answer:
- Do you believe it’s true?
- Do you need Jesus to be your Saviour and Lord?
- Will you trust him to be your Saviour and Lord?
Section 7 – Taking Steps
As you continue exploring other people’s lives and spiritual experiences, seek opportunities to be a guide.
Ask Permission.
- Can I tell you a little of my story?
- Can I show you what has really helped me understand…?
Set-up Conversations
- Sometime, can I show you something that has really helped me understand…?
Prayer
- Colossians 4:3, 4. Pray for Open Doors. Pray for Clarity of Witness.
- Ephesians 6:19, 29. Pray for the Words to Say. Pray for Boldness.
