Sharing Living Water -
Second Edition
by Steve Clapp and Sam Detwiler
While most church members readily agree that they should share their faith with others and invite them to church, many are not comfortable doing so. This practical, easy-to-understand book helps people identify:
• The natural connecting
points which give opportunities to share their faith or invite others to church without being manipulative.
• How to express their faith and the importance of the church in their own words
rather than by a formula.
• Strategies to effectively assimilate visitors into the life of the congregation.
The new second edition conveniently incorporates a study guide into the book . . . at no extra cost!
Also used as the adult study curriculum for the Sharing Our Faith module.
$14 each. 10 or
more copies, $9 each. Product Code: SLW Order
Now
Contents:
Chapter One: Death, Sex, and Faith
Concept: Many of us are
uncomfortable sharing our faith and inviting others to church The discomfort is
normal: but if we care for people and our Lord, we need to develop natural,
non-manipulative ways to let others know what Christ and the church have done in
our lives. That kind of sharing does wonderful things for others and transforms
our own lives.
Chapter Two: The Meaning of Friendship
Concept: Friendship rooted in
genuine caring rather than manipulation, is the most natural relationship for
sharing the faith and inviting others to church.
Chapter Three: The Right Foundation
Concept: We should be intentional
in nurturing our own spiritual lives-not only to be more effective in sharing
our faith but also to be more fruitful in our own discipleship.
Chapter Four: The Art of Listening
Concept: Cultivating the art of
listening helps us understand others, enables us to show our concern, and
provides the necessary foundation for us to speak meaningfully about our faith
and the church.
Chapter Five: Moving Conversation to Deeper
Levels
Concept: We need to develop
comfort in moving conversations to deeper levels, showing a willingness to talk
about what’s most important in life.
Chapter Six: Showing Concern
Concept: Words and actions of
genuine love and concern in response to the needs of people can be a powerful
witness to our faith and should often precede efforts to communicate our faith
verbally.
Chapter Seven: In Over Our Heads
Concept: In our efforts to help
others, we may encounter situations in which the person will be best served by
referral to another individual or organization.
Chapter Eight: Putting It Into Words
Concept: We need to learn how to
share our faith using everyday language rather than religious jargon or a canned
formula.
Chapter Nine: When Weakness Becomes Strength
Concept: Our strongest witness
often comes out of weakness, not strength. People outside the church are
impacted more by a testimony growing out of difficulty than accomplishments.
Chapter Ten: Helping New Friends Feel Welcome
Concept: If those we bring into
the Christian community are truly friends, we will not abandon them at the point
of membership, but encourage them to build relationships with others in Christ’s
body, the church. Congregations need systematic ways of ensuring that all people
feel welcome.
Chapter Eleven: Making New Friends Part of the
Family
Concept: Discipleship rather than
"paper" membership or spiritual scalps should be our ultimate goal as
we enfold persons into the Christian community.
Chapter Twelve: Expanding the Friendship Circle
Concept: Recognizing that Christ’s
definition of "neighbor" is broader than our own, we should be at work
expanding our circle of friends and reaching out to a world in need.
Study
Guide - conveniently included in the book for leader and student alike!