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Respond

YOU + THE HOLY SPIRIT
Step 3: Respond
You + The Holy Spirit, "Respond" is responding to the work that the Holy Spirit is already doing in the hearts of people around you.
Stories from the community
Respond
How to Explain the Gospel in 4 Simple Steps

It’s time to explain the Gospel, but how? Is there a script? What if you mess it up? Is there a way to accurately and succinctly share the gospel?
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How to Share Your Rescue Story

Taking the time to consider and construct your testimony is time well spent. It can be a powerful tool in the hands of the Holy Spirit as He guides you in conversations with your friends.
Respond
I Shared My Faith, What Now?

You’ve had the opportunity to share Jesus with a friend. What now?

When you’re filled with the Holy Spirit through prayer, and connecting well with the people in your world, you’ll start to recognise moments that have been created by Him for you to share.

You might get asked why you’re different, or a conversation might suddenly turn towards topics like God and faith. Perhaps you’ll see someone that needs help, or the Holy Spirit will challenge you to do or say something. It could be anything!

When these things happen, know that the Holy Spirit created the moment and that if you take the leap of faith and respond to what He is asking you to do, everything will work out.

Responding might look like being ready to pray with someone, tell your story, explain the gospel, or invite people to church.

The best example of this is in the book of Acts. Responding to the lead of the Holy Spirit, Philip walks over to a chariot and just listens. He hears someone reading from the Old Testament and recognises immediately why the Holy Spirit wants him there. All he has to do is respond and ask “Do you understand what you are reading?”. It’s an amazing story and completely relevant to us today (Acts 8).

“Life on Mission” is being filled with the Holy Spirit through prayer, genuinely connecting through love with the people around you, and responding to the Spirit’s leading. Just think of all the miracles waiting to happen.

Scriptural Support

  • 1 Timothy 2:1-4

    I Urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people…this is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

  • John 6:44

    No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.

  • Luke 12:12

    …for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.

  • Acts 8:29-31

    The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Key Points

  • The same Holy Spirit that is working in you, is actively working in the lives of the people around you, drawing them to Jesus.
  • The Holy Spirit creates moments for you to share or explain your faith.
  • If you take the leap of faith and respond, he has promised you’ll know what to say or do.
  • We should always be ready to tell our story, explain the gospel, or to invite people to church.
  • The story of Philip in the book of Acts is a powerful example.

Action Points

  • Read the story of Philip the evangelist in Acts 8.
  • Pray for an opportunity to share Jesus.
  • Ask the Holy Spirit how you can be part of what He is already doing in the hearts of the people around you.
  • When you are prompted by the Spirit to say or do something, take a leap of faith and respond.
  • Tell a friend about it afterwards
  • share how the Holy Spirit used you.
  • Also share the times you didn’t respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and pray for courage together.

Read articles about The Holy Spirit →

Stories from the community
Respond
How to Explain the Gospel in 4 Simple Steps

It’s time to explain the Gospel, but how? Is there a script? What if you mess it up? Is there a way to accurately and succinctly share the gospel?
Respond
How to Share Your Rescue Story

Taking the time to consider and construct your testimony is time well spent. It can be a powerful tool in the hands of the Holy Spirit as He guides you in conversations with your friends.
Respond
I Shared My Faith, What Now?

You’ve had the opportunity to share Jesus with a friend. What now?
living life on mission is simple, yet powerful. try using what you've learned in these lessons with someone you know. you'll be amazed at what god wants to do.