EXTRA! Ideas for Adults – Answers to Tough Questions – Session 6

Date: January 5, 2020

What Proof Does My Testimony Offer?

The Point: God can use you to show others the truth.

Get Into the Study

Use this current event to introduce Session 6.

Social media influencers are people who have gained enough followers on Instagram, YouTube, or another social media channel, to be paid for ad content, such as product reviews and recommendations, on their personal user accounts. Influencers aren’t just paid a small amount—it’s estimated that the top influencers can be paid up to $1,000,000 a post! While that may seem crazy, the truth is, consumers are looking more and more for familiar, trusted voices to steer them in the right direction when it comes to making purchases, and influencers are happy to oblige.

Most of us look up reviews before making a purchase. With so many reviews available on the internet, it feels irresponsible not to do a little research! As Christians, it’s important to remember that people are watching us as influencers as well. They want to see how Christianity actually works out—they want to see it in our real lives. The way we speak about our faith, and the way (and the amount) that we share our testimonies is important. We are never asked to sell our faith—but our speaking honestly about the life-changing grace of Jesus Christ might be the thing that someone still needs to hear to make his or her own decision to follow Christ!

Optional Question: Do you talk about your faith with nonbelievers?

Ashley Emmert is a freelance writer and full-time mama from Chicago, where she lives with her husband and baby boy. You can find her on Twitter at @ashgemmert, or failing to update her blog at ashleygraceemmert.blogspot.com.

Get Into the Study (Option)

In advance, prepare a video clip of a celebrity endorsement video. Here is an example. Then ask Question #1.

From Adult Leader Guide, page 67.

Study the Bible

Use this current event while discussing the Acts 26:12-18 section of today’s session.

 Makeovers on television have been a long-standing favorite for many viewers. From What Not To Wear, which ran from 2003 to 2013 and focused on people’s clothing, hair, and makeup choices, to Fixer Upper, which aired from 2013 to 2018, and followed Chip and Joanna Gaines as they renovated old homes throughout Waco, Texas, we love a good makeover show. We love the drama of the before-and-after shots—the home suddenly made beautiful, or the haggard-looking mom-of-three walking out confidently, with shine in her hair and new clothes on her back. But the most fascinating part of these shows, the part that takes up most of the hour of television, is the process from before to after. That’s where the good television happens—in the messy, beautiful, sometimes difficult process of transforming someone or something to something “better.”

Paul’s transformation story is incredibly fascinating. Can you imagine anyone who has undergone a greater change of heart (or lifestyle)? He went from persecuting Christians, to becoming a persecuted Christian. He was blinded by Jesus, brought completely to His mercy, and told he, a Jew, was going to become a messenger to bring good news of salvation to the Gentiles! He spent the rest of his life living out the mission God gave him.
While our conversion stories may not be as dramatic as Paul’s, we all still have a “before,” a “during,” and an “after.” No matter how young or old you were when you became a follower of Christ, we all have a story to share with others—the story of God slowly sanctifying us to become more like Christ. None of us are perfect “afters,” but that just makes for a more interesting story! The important thing is that we share the goodness of God in our lives as often as we can.

Optional Question: Would you feel confident in sharing your “before and after” story with a nonbeliever today? Why or why not?

Ashley Emmert is a freelance writer and full-time mama from Chicago, where she lives with her husband and baby boy. You can find her on Twitter at @ashgemmert, or failing to update her blog at ashleygraceemmert.blogspot.com.

Additional Questions

Icebreaker

• What’s the most dramatic change you have ever made to your physical appearance?
• Who do you admire for influencing many people for good?
• How did you meet your best friend?

Acts 26:2-5

• What motivated you in life before you met Christ?
• What makes Paul’s story so surprising?
• When has someone’s personal testimony for Christ really impacted you?

Acts 26:12-18

• How would those who have known you the longest describe the changes they’ve seen in your life?
• What does a changed life for Christ look like?
• How does Paul’s change reinforce the truth of the Gospel?

Acts 26:24-26

• How can our group help you be a more bold witness for Christ?
• What strategies have helped you speak with confidence about the truth of Christ?
• How can Paul’s example help us in sharing our testimony?

Member Extra

Send the following link to your group members as either a teaser before the group meets or as a follow-up thought:

A Valid Answer When Your Faith is Questioned

Video

Here’s a brief video giving you an overview of this session: Answers to Tough Questions, Session 6.

Magazine Article

This article complements the study. Share this link with your group members.

• HomeLife – The Giving Family

Tips for Leading Bible Study Groups

• Don’t Deprive Your Group of Discussion