Discussion Thread_Sharing Jesus Without Fear_CHPL 655
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Apr 3, 2024
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CHPL 655: Discussion Thread: Sharing Jesus Without Fear
After completing the Learn items for this Module: Week, submit a thread answering the 2 following questions.
1.
According to Fay, too many Christians sit back out of fear and refuse to share the truth of the Gospel. Fay offers 6 specific fear-based excuses in Chapter 3 of his book. Choose 1 of the 6 fear-based excuses which you have personally used and explain how you overcame, or plan to overcome, this fear. You must remember to utilize Scripture and Fay’s work in your response.
2.
Fay describes the “Sin of Silence” as a death sentence for the Christian church. Explain the “Sin of Silence” from your context and how you can combat against its effects. Support your assertions from Scripture and Fay’s text.
Abiding in the Father provides Christians the strength to share one’s faith with confidence (John 15:5, 7-8; Eph. 1:18-20, English Standard Version). In Share Jesus Without Fear,
chapter three, “Overcome Your Fear,” William Fay and Linda Evans Shepherd share six reasons why many Christians sit back and decline to share the truth of the Gospel.
1
Faye and Shepherd offer that one
of the six specific fear-based reasons believers hesitate to evangelize is the fear of not knowing enough. Christians delay sharing the truth of God’s Word because they fear they are inadequate or unqualified in their own eyes and the eyes of others. This excuse I have personally held to. Perfectionism, not feeling confident in practices such as scripture memorization, or the ability to explain context clearly, can distract and deter me from sharing the Gospel boldly. To overcome this, it is important to recognize that individual worth and identity are not determined by how much we know, but by our personal relationship with God and our confidence in his Word and his promises (Josh.1:9; Isa. 41:10; 1 Peter 2:9). Therefore, I can trust God with the results. He is the one who works and transforms the hearts of sinners. Fay and Shepherd emphasize the significance of relying on God's sovereignty and the power of the Holy Spirit’s guidance when proclaiming the Gospel (Acts 1:8; 2 Tim. 1:6-7; 1 Thess. 1:5-6). Thus, by reflecting on scriptures
such as Matthew 28:20 and Philippians 4:13, which remind us of God’s presence and empowerment, we can overcome the fear of not knowing enough and fearlessly proclaim the truth of the Gospel.
Moreover, when Christians obediently share their faith and surrender to God’s will, God in return
utilizes his children as instruments to propagate his message. This act serves as an opportunity for God to operate through believers, regardless of their perceived qualifications or abilities.
2
Jesus instructed his followers to ‘go’ and share the truth faithfully as he command, emphasizing the importance and necessity of this action (Matt. 28:18-20, John 3:16, 14:6). According to Fay and Shepherd, the “Sin of Silence” denotes the failure of Christians to share the message of salvation with others, ultimately impeding the growth and impact of the Christian church. “We deny Jesus by never opening our mouths. We deny him with our silence.”
3
In this context, the sin
of silence can be observed as an absence of evangelistic zeal and an inability to fulfill the Great 1
William Fay and Linda Evans Shepherd, Share Jesus without Fear
(Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 16.
2
Ibid., 16-17.
3
Ibid., 6.
Commission (Matt. 28:19-20). To counteract its influences, it is essential to cultivate a passion for evangelism and actively pursue opportunities to share the Gospel. Believers can draw inspiration from scriptures such as Mark 16:15 and Romans 10:14-15, which emphasize the importance of spreading the Good News. Additionally, Faye and Shepherd provide practical strategies and methodologies for effective evangelism, which can be employed to defeat the “Sin of Silence” and actively engage in proclaiming the message of salvation. In order to share the love of Christ and fulfill the Great Commission, it is imperative to surrender and be willing to openly share about the redemption which comes from Christ alone. This can have a profound influence on the lives of those close to you, creating an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to guide them towards embracing Christ, but you will also encounter a newfound depth in your personal connection with God that surpasses any previous experiences.”
4
4
Ibid., 27.
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