Talking about Jesus: Discovering the Joy of Sharing Jesus’ Story
()
About this ebook
Talking about Jesus: Discovering the Joy of Sharing Jesus' Story helps to instill confidence in seizing opportunities to introduce Jesus' story into conversations in natural and healthy ways. This brief, approachable resource helps believers to develop a simple framework that increases their comfort level in the joyful mission of sharing a little of Jesus' story. Along the way, readers will learn some important teachings concerning Christ that will delight their hearts.
Dr. David M. Stratton
David M. Stratton has served as a pastor for nearly thirty years, and he is currently the senior pastor of Woodhaven Baptist Church in Apex, North Carolina. He received his doctorate from Campbell University Divinity School.
Related to Talking about Jesus
Related ebooks
Seeing Jesus - A Disciple's Perspective Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLove Makes No Sense: An Invitation to Christian Theology Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJesus, the New Adam: Humanity’s Steadfast Hope Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSurprised by God's Grace Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Broken Vessel: My Story, My Glory Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAccepting God's Love, Whether You Are Married or Single Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMysteries of God’s Love Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNo Fear, No Doubt, No Worry Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsI'm Accepted: WALKing the Journey from Rejection to Freedom Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAddicted God Lover Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Marks of Hope: Where the Spirit Is Moving in a Wounded Church Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsUnlike Jesus: Let's Stop Unfriending the World Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAstounding Love: Experience God's Immeasurable Father-Love for You Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLiving Hope: The Future and Christian Faith Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIs Your Christianity Working? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSpeak Up! Listen Up!: God is Listening God is Speaking Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAn Inconvenient Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFaith In Difficult Times Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJoyful in Hope: Finding God in the Extremes Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGod's Promises Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Inward Embrace of Grace: the Inner Dynamics of Grace from a New Covenant Perspective Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Simple Faith: What Does the Lord Require of You? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGod: A Book of Love to God Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAre You Living in the Spirit?: Seeking and Finding the Abundant Life Through the Spirit of God Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLooking Ahead: A Personal Theology of Hope Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFormation for Transformation: An Approach to Renewing the Teaching Ministry within the Church Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Redeeming Power of Presence Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhen You Lose a Loved One; The Christian's Hope in the Darkness of Grief Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Christianity For You
The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Your Brain's Not Broken: Strategies for Navigating Your Emotions and Life with ADHD Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table: It's Time to Win the Battle of Your Mind... Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Holy Bible (World English Bible, Easy Navigation) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth: Fourth Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'll Start Again Monday: Break the Cycle of Unhealthy Eating Habits with Lasting Spiritual Satisfaction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Lead When You're Not in Charge: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Undistracted: Capture Your Purpose. Rediscover Your Joy. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Talking about Jesus
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Talking about Jesus - Dr. David M. Stratton
Talking about Jesus
Discovering the Joy of Sharing Jesus’ Story
David M. Stratton
8336.pngTalking about Jesus
Discovering the Joy of Sharing Jesus’ Story
Copyright © 2019 David M. Stratton. All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in critical publications or reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher. Write: Permissions, Wipf and Stock Publishers, 199 W. 8th Ave., Suite 3, Eugene, OR 97401.
Resource Publications
An Imprint of Wipf and Stock Publishers
199 W. 8th Ave., Suite 3
Eugene, OR 97401
www.wipfandstock.com
paperback isbn: 978-1-5326-7539-3
hardcover isbn: 978-1-5326-7540-9
ebook isbn: 978-1-5326-7541-6
Manufactured in the U.S.A. 04/03/19
Table of Contents
Title Page
Introduction
Chapter 1: His Birth
Chapter 2: His Life
Chapter 3: His Death
Chapter 4: His Resurrection
Chapter 5: His ongoing Presence
Chapter 6: His Return
Epilogue
Selected Bibliography
Dedicated to all those with a passion for sharing Jesus’ story
and to all those seeking to nurture such a passion.
The seventy returned with joy . . .
(Luke 10:17a, NRSV)
Introduction
I was afraid to dive off the high board at Holliday Lake. When I was an adolescent, three mothers who were friends, one of whom was my mother, took their children to Holliday Lake State Park in Appomattox County, Virginia every Friday during the summer. In the deep water at Holliday Lake, there was a platform with two diving boards on opposing ends. One of those diving boards was much higher than the other.
I was a good swimmer and loved the water. I dove off the low board many times, but the high board scared me. I’m not sure why. Then one day my best friend, Frankie, asked me why I never dove off the high board. Reluctantly I confided with him my fear.
Frankie was very understanding. He gave me a few pointers and coaxed me up the ladder to the high board. He dove first. I might have chickened out and climbed back down the ladder but, at that point, I was more afraid of being teased by the other kids in line behind me than I was of diving off the high board.
So, off I went. I nailed the dive perfectly and it was an exhilarating experience! I asked myself why I waited so long and I had no good answer. From then on I almost always dove off the high board rather than the low board. But for a long time, because of my fear, I missed out on an experience that brought me much joy.
I think most Christians of this culture are in a similar situation about something much more important and joy-producing than recreational swimming. There’s an act essential to the identity of followers of Christ that is designed to delight our hearts and the hearts of others. It’s also an act that strikes fear in the hearts of many Christians: talking to others about Jesus.
Wait! Don’t stop reading yet! I’m serious when I say talking about Jesus is designed to be a joy-producing experience. Sure, talking about Jesus can change our world in wonderful ways. Yes, Jesus did command his followers to talk with others about him. These are really good reasons to talk with others