"E" - Encourage THEM Across the Line of Faith

When your THEM is ready to cross the line of faith and make Jesus Christ the forgiver and leaders of their life, you may need a simple tool to help you help them take that final step. Here is a simple illustration you can draw and use with absolute confidence.

Ask your THEM if he/she would like to see a simple picture explaining God's relationship with people. Write out Romans 6:23 on a piece of paper or a napkin: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Circle "wages"and ask, "How would you feel if your boss refused to pay you wages that were due?" Deep down, we all know that it is only right that we get what we deserve. Similarly, we earn wages from God for how we have lived our lives.

Draw a circle around "sin," asking THEM what he/she thinks when they hear this word. You might explain sin as either disobedience of God or merely ignoring Him. You can ask, "Does God seem far away?" Explain that that is one of the things sin does-it makes God seem far away. Now draw two opposing cliffs with a gap in between.

Circle the word "death" and ask what thoughts come to mind when we think about death. Explain that death in the Bible always means some kind of separation. While circling the word "but" and mention that it is important because it means that a sharp contrast in thought is coming. What we have just looked at is bad news; what follows is good news.

Draw a circle around the word "gift." Ask, "If wages are what a person earns, then what is a gift?" Remind your THEM that someone must purchase every gift. Circle "of God" and explain that the gift you are talking about is free from God. It's so special that no one else can give it. Ask, "How do you feel when someone gives you a special gift?"

Circle "eternal life" next, and ask, "How would you define these words?" Contrast one side of the cliff, death, with the other side, eternal life. Ask, "What is the opposite of separation from God?"

Draw a cross to create a bridge between the two cliffs. Write "Jesus Christ" on the cross. Help your THEM to consider that every gift has a giver, and only Jesus Christ can give the gift of eternal life.

Write "trust" over the bridge you just drew. Explain that friends trust each other. Tell your THEM that Jesus wants a trusting friendship with him. All they have to do is admit they are responsible for the "sin" of either disobeying or ignoring God in their life. Trust means trusting Jesus to forgive our sin. At this point, ask if the person wants to start a relationship with God that will last forever. If "Yes," invite them to pray a short prayer in their own words, asking Jesus to forgive him/her and to become the lover and forgiver of their life.