SIGN is finished...So what now?

We take a look back over the SIGN series that ashgrove completed during February and hear about what the next step is in being a sign that points people to Jesus.

WHO: 80 people from ashgrove.

WHAT: A 3 week workshop to examine what the Bible teaches about sharing faith and making individual plans to share our faith with five people in our lives.

WHERE: We met at ashgrove, and spent the week putting our learning into practice in our neighbourhoods and workplaces.

WHEN: Throughout February 2011.

HOW: Three Questions: What is my Sign? How do I point people to Jesus? Who am I pointing to Jesus?

WHY: We are reaching out to people who are sick of religious talk, who are suspicious of everything Christian.  It is too easy to use some well-learned phrases that people misunderstand because they are laced with jargon. We need to clarify what we say, what we mean and allow the Bible to speak for itself.  Jesus proclaimed the message of the Kingdom of Heaven, so that people could align with God's rule and join Him in reconciling the world.

SO WHAT: Being a sign - pointing people to Jesus, isn't so much a mandate to convince them that what you believe is truth. It's a discussion about the big picture of Christianity; God's Story and your part in it.  We share that story everyday with the people around us. Louie Giglio puts it this way; "everyone is broadcasting something - what are you broadcasting about faith?" A course participant shares their story like this;

"I became a Christian when I was about 14. Grew up in a Christian family. But after leaving home I kinda lost my way.  I had my friends and was having fun, so God wasn't such a big deal. But things weren't great. I slowly got more and more depressed. Something happened and I lost faith in my friends. Life became more dark and depressed.  I felt so alone. I went to church one morning and God reached out to me. I could put my faith in God.  He brought love, laughter and light back to me." 

Every follower of Jesus can share a story that displays God's grace, forgiveness and hope.  It's actually the message the world is looking for! 

Stewart would love to read your story! See if you can tell it simply and clearly in 100 words and email it to mission@ashgrove.org.au