Share Your Story
John 13:1-17
13 It was just before the Passover Festival.Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
***FOR THE TIME BEING WE WILL NOT BE STREAMING OUR SUNDAY WORSHIP GATHERINGS***
Can you tell me what gives your life meaning and purpose at this time?
This is a question I've been asking RCTC college students that I've met over the past few months. I want to know what their hopes and dreams are and what brought them to this school at this time. I found it to be an excellent exercise in really listening to what is being said behind their words.
I've summarized the list of responses into broader categories from the most repeated reply to the least response...
1. "I'm not sure... I'm going to have to think about that."
2. "My family and friends"
3. "Trying to get a good education so I can get a good job"
4. "Being a good person"
5. "Finding success in what I do"
6. "Helping others when I can"
7. "My faith... God... higher power"
My follow up questions are usually, "Why is that so important to you at this point in your life? Can you tell me more about what brought you to chose those things that give your life meaning and purpose? Will you tell me more about how (that priority) fulfills you?
I usually end these short conversations with, "thank you for taking a few moments to share with me what gives meaning to your life. I'd enjoy hearing more about your story sometime soon."
What I have discovered is that most students WANT to talk about their story, but they've rarely been asked. What is interesting is that after a few conversations with the same students many of them eventually ask me, "What gives your life meaning and purpose?" It gives me the opportunity to share with them about my real life relationship with Jesus and how that has changed my life in the best way possible.
The Apostle Peter gave us this challenge which he learned in walking with Jesus, "Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life. Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope." (1 Peter 3:15 CEV)
This Sunday we get to learn how to share our story and hear how God changed the life of one of the members of our church family in a profound way.
Grateful to be on this journey with you,
Pastor John
P.S. You can download the study notes below that will help you in sharing YOUR story with others!
Free BLESS ebook: https://covchurch.org/evangelism/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2017/02/Discover-Your-Mission-Now-by-Dave-Ferguson.pdf