Book Summary
The book Faith-Sharing: Dynamic Christian Witnessing by Invitation by Fox and Morris provides central insights and guidelines of sharing the word of God through evangelism. According to the book, growing as a disciple of Christ is a process that must begin with a good foundation. This theme forms the basis of the entire work. The book presents key suggestions for Jesus Christ’s followers who wish to remain strong in their faith. The suggestions include learning how to pray, mastering how to read the Bible, knowing how to use resources that are available at both personal and ministerial levels, living in authentic relationships, having time for devotion, and learning how to discern one’s call to serve God. Besides, the book sheds light on how Christians should share their faith through evangelism.
Firstly, the book begins with a discussion of the motive of faith sharing. In this area, Fox and Morris mention that faith sharing must be driven by a purpose, which is based on a strong desire to share the word of God to other people.1 This motive is driven by a strong belief in Christ based on His evangelistic work that He did when He was on earth. His message involved calling for His followers to spread the word of God. Further, the motive of faith is based on the desire to bring others to Christ to continue with His (Jesus) ministry.2 Lastly, faith sharing is an important process where believers help one another to become pillars of faith.
Secondly, according to the book, the nature of Christian faith is a concept that many Christians and followers of Jesus do not understand very well. In this case, the book seeks to bring forward knowledge on the characteristics of the Christian faith in the ministry. In explaining the concept of Christian faith, the book provides the definition of faith, which in this case refers to a “trust” or “confidence” that is directed towards Christ and God, Jesus’ teachings, promises, revelations, power, and readiness to serve.
Concepts Learned
The three concepts that I have learned from the text include the meaning of faith, the motivation for faith sharing, and the appreciation of the meaning of faith sharing. In the book, the meaning of faith is well explained as the cornerstone of Christianity and consequently a central characteristic that Christians must possess in their journey of followership with Christ. I have also learned the various misconceptions that many people have about faith. Consequently, the book lays down a strong foundation for those who would like to begin the journey towards a strong relationship with Christ.3 Lastly, I have also realized that the motivation of faith sharing is a duty that Christ had on His followers. Evangelism helps in strengthening other people’s faith so that they can become stronger followers in Christ’s ministry.
Missiological Implications
The concepts that have been presented in the book have significant missiological implications for evangelism. For instance, the concept of invitation that is presented in the book means that evangelism is not a process that should happen only in formal settings of the Church, but also even in family and friend circles where individuals share the word of God to others. In this case, the concepts of the book take evangelism from the confines of the Church to all those who profess faith in Christ. Lastly, the concept of faith sharing by invitation is a new approach that needs to be studied further to ensure that it is well understood and implemented by Christians in their process of sharing and/or spreading the word of God to all people.
Subjects and Themes
The book points out the centrality of faith as the foundation of Christianity. Accordingly, Christianity is built on faith, which is the cornerstone of a life of obedience. The book confirms that without faith, spirituality cannot prevail. Consequently, hope and other concepts that Christians preach cannot succeed in the absence of faith. At a personal level, without faith, it is difficult to have a strong belief in Christ and even more difficult to share or partake in the sharing of the word of God. 4 The book further brings a vital discussion of the elements that interfere with people’s faith. It acknowledges that indeed many people, especially the followers of Christ, do not have a clear grasp of the faith that Christ preached about during His time on earth. The book recognizes the fact that faith is a highly controversial and confusing concept among both believers and non-believers.
With an understanding of the motive for faith sharing and the nature of Christian faith, the book embarks on a discussion of the significance of faith sharing. Accordingly, faith sharing is viewed as the process through which Christians convey the word of God to non-believers. Faith sharing between Christians is a central process that allows them paint a picture of Christ by engaging in the work that He commanded them to do before departing to heaven. Through faith sharing, individuals reveal their experiences on their relationship with God, the struggles that they face in the journey to Christian faith, and the way they respond to many drawbacks and difficulties in their faith in Christ.
Bibliography
Fox, Eddie, and George Morris. Faith-Sharing; Dynamic Christian Witnessing by Invitation. New York: NY: Discipleship Resources, 2003.
Footnotes
1 – Eddie Fox and George Morris, Faith-Sharing; Dynamic Christian Witnessing by Invitation (New York: NY: Discipleship Resources, 2003), 13.
2 – Fox and Morris, Faith-Sharing, 17.
3 – Fox and Morris, Faith-Sharing, 21.
4 – Fox and Morris, Faith-Sharing, 25.