Chapter 10
Sharing your hope and continuing to grow

Jesus calls his disciples to help others become disciples. His commission includes going, baptizing, and teaching people to obey what he commanded. It reaches beyond a single conversation or decision. The aim is people learning to know and follow the living Lord in the community of his church.

You can begin before you can answer every question. Tell the truth about what you are learning. The gospel is the good news about Jesus: the Son of God came among us, died for our sins, rose again, and reigns as Lord. God calls people to turn to him and trust Christ for forgiveness and new life. Your personal story points to that news; it does not replace it.

Be interested in people, not merely in getting a chance to speak. Listen to their questions and experiences. Ask permission to share if that would be appropriate. Speak with gentleness and respect. You do not need to pressure someone, exaggerate what happened to you, or pretend all your difficulties vanished when you trusted Jesus.

You might say, in your own words, that you have begun trusting Jesus, are learning what his grace means, and would be glad to talk about it. If asked a question you cannot answer, say so. Offer to explore it together with help from Scripture and a mature disciple. Changing a person’s heart is God’s work; you are responsible to love and speak faithfully.

Your own learning continues. Stay rooted in a local church. Keep reading the Bible and praying each day. Receive correction. Learn to serve, and spend time with a disciple whose life shows Christ’s character. Spiritual maturity includes increasing dependence on Jesus rather than the ability to manage without him.

The next 30 days offer a place to start. Expect meaningful discoveries and ordinary mornings. On both kinds of days, Jesus is worthy of your trust. Bring your actual life to him and ask his Spirit to help you take the next step.