Your Personality: Who I am

1
Your Personality Who I am
Take five minutes to self-reflect. In your notes,
answer the following questions
What are my primary talents?
What situations am I most comfortable in?
How and when do I best relate with others?
What tools do I need to feel at my best?
2
Your Personality Who I am
Four personality types from LCMS Share Life
The Lion Bold, adventurous, daring assertive
The Beaver Obliging, precise, conventional,
cautious
The Otter Open, talkative, playful, outgoing
The Golden Retriever Gentle, amiable, kind,
peaceful
Which best describes you?
3
Your Personality Who I am
The natural witnessing style of each
The Lion asks bold, straightforward questions.
The Beaver uses casual conversation to connect to
spiritual issues.
The Otter invites others to fun Christian events,
social outings, parties, or a meal.
The Golden Retriever serves, gives an encouraging
word or an act of kindness, and reaches out in
crisis.
4
Your Personality Who I am
Find two others of the same species.
Based on your animal type, answer these two
questions
How are we best suited to share? What problems
should we be careful to avoid?
5
Reaching that Person Who They Are
Become familiar with their personality first by
learning

• what topics they are passionate about.

• what issues they are sensitive about.

• what style of communication they prefer.

6
Reaching that Person Who They Are
Focus on making them feel comfortable by

• communicating in their preferred style.

• avoiding their hot buttons.

• discussing their topics of interest.

When a person feels safe, meaningful
conversation can take place.
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Reaching that Person Who They Are
Be sure to learn their worldview.
What are their thoughts on
religion?
God?
Jesus?
church?
What frustrations do they have on any of the
above?
8
Reaching that Person Who They Are
Based on their personality and worldview, consider
the best approach for witnessing to this person.
how cautious you should be in raising spiritual
issues.
if you should invite him/her to church or to
Christ first.
the church event or service they would be most
comfortable at initially.
9
Introducing Faith into the Conversation
Avoid friction!
Dont
target their actions.
tackle the hot issues.
imply judgment about their beliefs.
force your beliefs on them.
10
Introducing Faith into the Conversation
Do

• share how you are encouraged by
• church activities.
• Christian relationships.

• share how you receive strength from
• a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
• prayer.
• the Bible.

11
Connecting with Others
Make relationships a priority.
Review your Who do you know? quiz. Who can you
initiate relationships with? What relationships
can you further develop?
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Connecting with Others
Be kind.

• Attract others through gentleness and respect.
  Read 1 Peter 315.

• Remember that Gods kindness leads sinners to
  repentance. Read
  Romans 24.

• Avoid debating someone into your beliefs!
  Read Titus 39-11.

13
Connecting with Others
Develop a genuine relationship.

• Make time for them.
• Invite them to coffee or lunch.

• Allow the relationship to unfold naturally.

• Dont make assumptions
• Allow them to share who they are.

14
Connecting with Others
Make a connection.
What commonality do you share?
How do you agree?
When did you and this person share a similar
reaction to something?
Be authentic and vulnerable.
Trust God to provide faith conversations!
15
Connecting with Others
Remember your ABCs
People want to feel Accepted they want to
Belong and they want to know you Care.
Recall the old adage People dont care what
you know until they know that you care.
16
Conversation Starters
With regard to pleasantries,
say hello!
hold the door.
help someone pick something up.
let the person behind you go ahead of you.
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Conversation Starters
Ask meaningful questions
Use FORM to remember this.
Family
Occupation
Recreation
Motivation - This is where faith comes in!
Show respect by listening!
18
Conversation Starters
Give meaningful answers to usual questions
What do you do? What did you do this
weekend?
How can your answer transition into faith?
19
Conversation Starters
Find a partner.
Practice giving a meaningful response to these
two questions
What do you do? What did you do this
weekend?
20
Pauls Testimony
It is powerful and persuasive.
He defends his faith to King Agrippa

• with honesty.

• with boldness.

• with gentleness.

• with respect.

As a result, King Agrippa considered the Gospel.
You almost persuade me to become a Christian.
Acts 2628b
21
Pauls Testimony
Form groups of three.
Read Acts 26 aloud.
What do you learn from Pauls testimony?
How can this help you formulate your own?
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Pauls Testimony

• He is polite, thanking King Agrippa for this
  opportunity.

• He asks him to consider that God is real.

• He shares what his life was like before Christ.

• He shares his aha! moment of transformation.

• He shares how his life is different as a result
  of Christ.

23
Sharing Your Story
Apply Pauls strategies

• Be bold, yet respectful.

• Ask them to simply consider that God is real
  Acts 268.

• Share who you were before transformation.
  You can relate this generally as a sinner or
  through a specific story.

• Give specifics When were you transformed?
  How did you come to understand that God is real?

• How is your life different because of Christ?

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Sharing Your Story
Your story His story your personal witness.
Remember what Christ has done for you personally.
How is your life different because of His
presence?
Share what Christs sacrifice on the cross means
to you.
As a result, how do you experience freedom?
25
Take-HomeResources

• Acts 26
• How to Write Out Your Stories
• Utilizing others learning styles to effectively
  share

26
Take-HomePractice

• Sharing Your Story Formulating Your
  Personal Witness
• Applying Various Witnessing Styles

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Next Session
Saturday, September 12thSt. Stephens in
Hickory, NC 9 a.m. 12 p.m.