Follow Me Week 12
- Heritage Church
- Jul 21
- 5 min read
TRANSCRIPTION:
You did it! You made it to week 12 of your Follow Me Journey! And I am beyond excited to dive into this week’s study! You see, this week you are going to discover how this whole Following Jesus thing is so much bigger than you as we dive into learning more about one of my absolutely favorite topics - telling others about Jesus!
Now don’t go checking out on me! I know the moment you read those words “telling others” your fight or flight kicked in, your heart started to race, and you were flooded with thoughts like “but I can’t!” “I’m not ready!” “I’m too new to this to be able to be of any help to anyone else!!”
If that’s you, take a deep breath, quiet those anxious thoughts, and stick with us for the rest of the week! You may not feel ready or equipped, but just as we have walked this journey with you over the past 11 weeks, you won’t be walking through this final week or even life beyond it alone!
There’s a quote I came across recently by Billy Graham that really struck me. He said, “Jesus made everything so simple, and we have made it so complicated.” Isn’t that the truth?
From the very beginning God’s instructions have been clear and straight forward. But over time we’ve added layers of rules, expectations, and self-made standards. Turning what was meant to be a relationship has often turned into religion. We complicate what God made simple by overthinking, controlling, or trying to earn what He freely gives. Thankfully the simplicity God intended is found once again when we return to the basics: trusting, living, and leading with the knowledge that He is still God, and your or I are still not! He does the saving and the life changing! So if he’s doing the heavy lifting, what is our part in it all?
Here you are! You’ve accepted Jesus. You love Him. You’ve experienced His peace, His grace, and His presence in your life. Naturally, you want others to know that same hope. But when it comes to actually sharing the Gospel… it’s like everything gets jumbled. Suddenly, we feel unqualified, insecure, and unsure. Maybe we think we don’t know enough Scripture or haven’t been a Christian long enough to “do it right.”
But here’s the good news: You don’t need to be an expert to share Jesus. You just need to be willing. It’s not about having perfect words—it’s about having a surrendered heart. Which you already have, otherwise you wouldn’t be here listening to this podcast today!
Did you know that even some of the heroes of the Bible dealt with doubts. In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul tells Timothy, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.” That message isn’t just for teenagers—it’s for anyone who feels “young” in their faith. Whether you gave your life to Jesus last night or last year, you have the same Holy Spirit living in you as the most seasoned believer.
The point is this: Your story matters. Your journey with Jesus is powerful. And someone out there needs to hear it.
So why do we share our faith? First, because Jesus told us to. Before He left Earth, He gave what we now call “The Great Commission.” In Matthew 28, He said, “Go and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to obey everything I’ve commanded you.”
But even more than a command—it’s an invitation. Jesus is inviting you to partner with Him in what He’s already doing in people’s hearts. He doesn’t send you alone. That same passage ends with, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
So when you speak up about your faith, you’re not walking into the conversation alone. Jesus goes with you.
I hope it is clear to you by now that we are all called to share Jesus with others! But now, let’s take a moment to look at what they looks like more practically!
First: Live It Out: Before you say a word, your life speaks volumes. People notice how you treat others, how you handle stress, how you own up to your mistakes. You don’t have to be perfect—none of us are. But you can be real. Let people see how your relationship with Jesus shapes your daily life. That kind of authenticity is powerful.
Second: Pray First, Pray Always: Prayer is where it starts—and where it stays. Ask God to put people on your heart. Ask Him to give you opportunities and the right words. Ask for courage when you’re afraid to speak. And don’t forget to pray for those you want to reach. Prayer softens hearts—both ours and theirs. On top of that, Jesus Himself was always praying. And if He needed to do it, so do we.
Third, Read the Word—And Keep Reading: Even if you’ve read the Bible before, keep going back. God speaks through His Word. It helps you know Him more deeply, and it prepares you to share truth when the time comes. Oftentimes, the overflow of what God says to us in our “bible times” becomes what we share or talk to others about.
Fourth, Be a True Friend: Real friendship is one of the most powerful tools for evangelism. Not everyone needs a sermon but everyone needs someone who sees them, listens to them, and cares. Jesus was a friend of sinners. He crossed social boundaries to love people where they were. And that’s our call, too. You don’t have to share every detail of your life on the first day. Just show up. Love well. Be kind. Be available. Let the friendship be genuine, and the conversations will come.
You don’t need a perfect script. Just share what Jesus has done in your life. Talk about the peace He gives you, the strength you’ve found, or how He’s helped you through your struggles. Be honest. Be vulnerable. And let the Holy Spirit guide your words.
And if you don’t know the answer to a question? That’s okay. Say, “I’m not sure, but I’d love to find out with you.” That honesty builds trust—and it shows them that faith is a journey, not a destination.
Here’s what I want you to take away from today: You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need to be available. God does the heavy lifting. He’s the one who saves, heals, and transforms. You’re just a vessel—a light pointing others to Him.
So be bold. Be kind. Be prayerful. And trust that God is working, even when you can’t see it.
Like Philippians 1:6 says, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” He’s still working—in you, and through you.
LINK TO KIDS CHAPTER WEEK 12
LINK TO WEEK 12
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