Words and names carry a lot of power. The names we use or the character traits we use to describe someone often stem from our perception of that person or what we've been told about them. In His time on earth, Jesus was referred to by a lot of different names - some positive and some negative - based on what various people thought of Him or had heard about Him. With that concept in mind, Jesus asked His disciples an important question...one that we still need to answer for ourselves today.

One of the more challenging questions Jesus ever asked was actually a rhetorical question. He wasn't seeking an immediate audible response from His audience. He just used a question to confront an issue they were in habit of overlooking. It's a question we still wrestle with today, because it gets at the heart of how we view and treat others...and ultimately how we view ourselves.

When Jesus rose from the grave, it came as a surprise to many, including His own disciples. It shouldn't have been as shocking as it was for two reasons: 1) He told them several times ahead of time that He was going to die and then rise again. 2) He articulated to one of His followers some time before His death that resurrection and life were part of what made Jesus who He was. Following that conversation, Jesus asked a very important question to that disciple that we still need to answer for ourselves today.

When it comes to investing financially, those who are unwilling to make long-term investments are often either worried about the risk involved or are too impatient to wait for their investment to produce results. But what about spiritual investments? What about investing in my relationship with God or investing my time, my energy, maybe even my stuff so that someone else can be blessed? When I can't see immediate results, is it worth it to invest in others? Is it worth it to invest time and effort into my relationship with God?

During this final Sharing Jesus class, we will remind ourselves of the reasons why we need to be engaging in spiritual conversations when the opportunity arises. We will also get some practical tips for effectively sharing the good news about Jesus and helping non-Christians see the need for Jesus in their own lives.

We have a clearer picture of where non-Christians are coming from, and we’ve recognized what’s at the core of some of our own hesitations when it comes to sharing our faith. Now it’s time to get a little more practical. How do we engage in a spiritual conversation with an unchurched person? What do we need to say? What do they need to hear from us?

Debt is not uncommon...at least not in our American culture. It is estimated that approximately 80% of Americans are in some kind of debt right now. Debt has become so commonplace that it almost doesn't bother us - we expect to live with at some amount of debt in our lives. And yet debt can be a cruel master, taking control of our thoughts, actions, and relationships. So how do I get free from it? How can I transform my debt into the freedom that God wants me to enjoy?

After gaining a little bit clearer understanding of the perspective and mindset of non-Christians in our community, in this lesson we turn our focus more towards ourselves as Christians. What are ways we have tried to share our faith with others in the past, and how effective have those methods been? We need to also take an honest look at some of the factors that can cause us to be hesitant when it comes to engaging in spiritual conversations.

When we think of "greedy" people, we think of folks like Ebenezer Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol" or Gordon Gekko in the movie "Wall Street." Most of us don't consider ourselves to be greedy. And yet, when we take an honest look at our perspective and our actions when it comes to our finances, we may discover that we have an unhealthy craving to get more money and more stuff. How big of an impact can greed have in my life? And how can I transform my greed into contentment?

My relationship with money can be complicated. Money can be the thing I work hardest to acquire yet complain about the most. It has potential to help me accomplish wonderful things, and it has potential to consume every aspect of my life. I’m called to trust God with my money, but I often end up trusting money to be my god. But what if I shifted my view of money and changed my relationship with it? Could transforming my relationship with money actually transform other parts of my life as well?