The Group Plans in the Adult and Young Adult Leader Guide are designed to open the door for you and others in the group to share their conversions. Here is what I plan on sharing with my group during this session.
I grew up in a Baptist church, with my parents making sure I was there every Sunday and Wednesday night. When I was in 5th grade, I visited with the pastor during Vacation Bible School.. I answered all the questions just like I had been taught and was baptized the next Sunday. Everyone assumed that I was now a believer and if anyone asked me, I could always point back to that day when I was baptized. I had convinced myself that all was good, knowing deep down that something was missing. I tried various things to fill that hole, even becoming certified in Evangelism Explosion with the hope that knocking on doors would help. I eventually got involved in sports and that soon became my god. In the last practice game before my junior year in high school, I broke my ankle requiring extensive surgery. That experience made me ask this question: Is there anything in this life that can’t be taken away from me? I didn’t know what else to do, so I started reading my Bible. While reading, I discovered that what was missing was a commitment to Jesus–a relationship that went beyond knowing the answers to a few simple questions. In my bedroom, I asked Christ to be my Savior and Lord. That which was missing was suddenly there. I had found the one thing in this life that could never be taken away from me! Life has not always been easy since that day, nor have I been perfect. But in all circumstances, I have known that I am securely His.
I share this to remind you that there may very well be some people in your Bible study group who have been religious and done all the “right things”, but have failed to come to Jesus. Saul was religious and knew the Scriptures better than anyone you are I have ever encountered. Some in your group may know more about Jesus than you or I, but that doesn’t mean they KNOW Him. The first step in being a messenger for the gospel is being in relationship with Jesus. It was true for Paul. It was true for me. Nothing else really matters until we get that settled.
How can you challenge your group members to examine their commitment to Christ?
This is a wonderful testimony. I am so glad this incident happened which led him to a real relationship with our God.
A lot of people play church on Sunday morning,, then walk out the door feeling great about themselves for that moment, and the rest of the week living like the rest of the world.
My story is similar in that I was never presented with the plan of salvation in my home church even though I was there every time the doors opened. I was doing all the right things…..attending church, reading my Bible, even praying. It was not until after I was married that I realized things were not right. As I was praying one evening for my mom who was hospitalized I was convicted by the Holy Spirit that I was the one who was sick and needed the Lord. What a difference that made in my life.
You are so right about people playing church, doing the right things, etc. It saddens my heart that there are those who think that “good” people will go to heaven. My prayer is that all will hear and accept the free gift of salvation.