If we are to help others find Jesus then we first must have encountered Him.
A real life of faith and not the phony pretending leads followers of Jesus and members of His Church continually to grow in their understanding and practice of their faith. Intentional disciples know that faith is dynamic and not static, alive and not dead. Faith is spread by people to people. It is constantly is handed on to others. It was passed from Christ Himself as divine grace given to the apostles who dared to receive it, from the apostles to their successors, from the earliest disciples to us today. Faith is received and then taught and transferred, never hoarded.
More than any other influence, I first learned to love the faith from my dad and mom who practiced theirs and passionately labored to teach their children about Jesus whom they themselves had encountered.
How especially moved God must be when mothers and fathers patiently explain God’s love to their children! Of course, this is not only when their children are infants! I have observed the life-long efforts of my parents to deepen their love of God and generously share it with all whom they meet.
Love of God is seen in our efforts to become better formed by the faith through study, spiritual reading, meaningful conversations and trustworthy friendships.
Jesus’ instructions are unmistakably clear: “Go, and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19). He expects us to be proclaiming the faith wherever we are – in our homes, throughout our neighborhoods, at our places of work, during leisure activities.
- From whom did you learn the faith?
- What are you doing to grow in deeper understanding and more joyful practice of the faith?
- How are you leading others closer to Jesus?
