Scripture describes us as "ministers of reconciliation" who have been entrusted with "the message of reconciliation," the gospel. This divine assignment means that "we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us" (2 Cor. 5:18-20).

Sharing the good news of the gospel isn't for the "professionals," and it doesn't need to be intimidating for you. After Jesus healed a man who was demon-possessed, Jesus gave these simple instructions: "'Go back to your home, and tell all that God has done for you.' And off he went, proclaiming throughout the town how much Jesus had done for him" (Luke 8:39).

To help you be better equipped to reconnect with God by sharing the gospel, here's a simple three-step process you can implement TODAY!

Take a moment to identity at least one person in your life who doesn't have a relationship with Jesus. This might be a family member, a friend, a coworker, a classmate, a neighbor, etc. Spend some time in prayer, asking God to place that name on your heart and in your mind.

For the remainder of this year, make a point to "invest" in that person. You can invest in that person's life in at least two ways.

PRAY for that person on a daily basis. Not sure how to pray for that person? Here's a great resource to help: 18 Prayers to Pray for Unbelievers. You can also download this 30-day prayer guide and use it as a daily prompt to pray for that person.

SERVE that person weekly. Make a weekly investment in your "one" by sharing something with them that points them to Jesus. You might text a Bible verse to them that explains God's love for them. Maybe you perform a simple act of kindness to them and explain that you're doing it because just as Christ loves them, so do you. Investing in your "one" might mean you take them for a cup of coffee and use that time to share your story with them. Whatever method God places on your heart, your commitment is to invest in that person's life each week by planting seeds of the gospel in their lives.

After you've identified that person in your life who needs a relationship with Jesus, and after you've spent some time investing in their lives, be sure to invite them to consider a relationship with Jesus.

This might mean that you initiate a conversation with them, sharing who Jesus is, why he died on the cross, and how a person can have a relationship with him. This doesn't have to be intimidating! Here are a few resources to better equip you.

• Sharing Your Faith 101
• Sharing The Gospel - In 3 Minutes or Less
• How to Start Sharing the Gospel Every Week

You can also invite the person you've identified and in whom you've invested to attend church with you. For the rest of this calendar year (2025), our pastor will share a message series from the book of Ephesians that is focused on the believer's identity in Christ. You can be sure that the gospel will be presented every single Sunday, so if you bring the person you've identified and in whom you've invested, they'll hear the gospel each time they come!

When it comes to reconnecting with God through prayer, the absolute best thing for you to do is start praying! Sometimes you may struggle to know how to pray or what to include in your prayer. Our pastor uses the A.C.T.S. method for his personal prayer time. You might want to try it! Carve out some time and get alone with God. Then walk through the following method as you pray.

Begin your prayer time thinking about 2-3 attributes or characteristics of God that you've seen recently. Maybe you just came through a time when you sensed God's peace. Or maybe you're in awe of his forgiveness. Maybe God's righteousness and holiness. If you need help thinking through God's attributes, you might want to read this article. Once you've identified 2-3 attributes of God, spend a few minutes giving thanks to God for those attributes. Share with God ways you've seen those attributes in your life.

Unconfessed sin will keep your prayer life from being effective. Once you've spent a few minutes pondering and praising God for his attributes, you'll come to see how sinful you are. This is the time to spend a few minutes confessing your sins to God. Be as specific as possible and name specific sins to him. Are you holding onto a grudge? Confess your unforgiveness. Did you speak about someone in an unkind manner? Confess the unrighteous way you used your words. Did you lose your temper and go off on someone? Confess your anger to God. Write down the sins that stand out to you, and walk through the list, confessing to God that you're a sinner who has sinned in these ways.

On the heels of confessing your sin, you might begin to feel condemned. However, it's important to remember the promise of 1 John 1:9; if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us of those sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Begin this part of your prayer time by giving thanks to God for his forgiveness of the sins you just confessed.

When it comes to THANKSGIVING, focus on two areas as you pray: physical blessings and spiritual blessings. Think through the physical blessings God has given you: your family, friends, food, a roof over your head, etc. Make a list of those blessings and thank God for them individually. Then spend some time thinking about your spiritual blessings, which can never be taken away! Examples of spiritual blessings include your salvation, the continual forgiveness of your sin, God's presence in your life, etc. A great place to read more of these spiritual blessings is Ephesians 1. Spend some time thanking God for these spiritual blessings.

Notice that, in using this method to guide your prayers, you have yet to ask anything from God. You've focused on his greatness and goodness, and you've spent time confessing your sin. Having given him thanks, your heart is now ready to cast your cares upon the Lord, knowing that he cares for you.

Supplication is the time when you place your requests before God. These requests might be for yourself, for family or friends, your church, your community, etc. Make a prayer list of people and needs, and spend time praying for each request, placing the need before God.

One of the most powerful, but often overlooked ways to pray is praying Scripture back to God. Here are a few resources to help you learn more about this practice so you can add it to your time of prayer.

• 12 Reasons You Should Pray Scripture
• How to Pray Scripture Back to God
• How Do I Pray the Bible?

When discussing stewardship, many find it helpful to think of the believer's responsibility in terms of their time, treasure, and talent. The resources to help you reconnect with God through stewardship are focused on these three areas.

TIME refers to the focus of your life. What are you doing with your days? What are you doing with your career? What are you doing with your retirement? What does your calendar say you prioritize? What does your day say is valuable?

Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk - not as unwise people but as wise - making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don't be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. (Ephesians 5:15-17)

Here are two valuable resources that will help you in your stewardship of "making the most of the time."

1. An article by Greg Morse, "Godless Productivity: A Believer's Guide to Redeeming Time."
2. A podcast transcript on "Redeeming the Time."

TREASURE refers to the furnishings of your life (the tangible things God has provided you). How does your money get spent? What does your bank account say about your priorities? Money talks. What does yours say is important to you?

• Here's a good article that covers the basics of why you should give to your church. "Why Do We Give Tithes and Offerings?"
• Erik Raymond has written a great piece about why giving is different from paying your bills, as he highlights the spiritual significance of the discipline of giving. "Why Giving to the Church is Different from Paying Your Bills."

When it comes to giving, the best way to start is to ... start! As our pastor has said, when you give, you do much more than pay light bills or provide a salary for our church staff. You help us accomplish ministry in our community (like VBS, Backpack Blessings, benevolence to those in need, etc.) and you help us take the gospel to the ends of the earth (through mission agencies such as NAMB and the IMB).

If you haven't been engaged in the spiritual discipline of giving, start today! A great starting point is the "tithe," which refers to giving 10% of your income to the church. Many people find that the best practice for tithing is to give 10% of their monthly income at the beginning of each month. Some people are paid weekly, and they find it best to give 10% of their weekly income each week.

You can get involved in tithing by placing your offering in the offering receptacles that are located in the sanctuary, by placing your offering in the offering plate with one of our ushers at the exits as you leave the service, or you can give online.

TALENT refers to the focus of your life. How are you using your skills, abilities, and career for the advancement of the kingdom of God? Do you know what spiritual gift God has given you? Are you using it?

Lifeway has produced a great article discussing spiritual gifts. You can find it HERE. After reading it, you may want to complete a Spiritual Gifts Assessment. Once you complete the assessment, share with our pastor your spiritual gift! He would love to know! Send him an email at jrussell@fbcmilton.org.

You should use your spiritual gift, skills, and abilities to serve, and one of the places where you can serve is right here at FBC! Visit our "Serve" page and indicate where you might want to serve!

18-Week Bible Reading Plan | Read through the New Testament before Christmas!

Readings are scheduled for Monday through Friday, with the weekends open to allow time for reflection or to catch up.

Click HERE to download the 18-Week Bible reading plan.

Join a Connection Group | Sundays at 9:15 AM

We have numerous connection groups that meet each Sunday for fellowship and Bible study. Getting involved in a small group is a key factor in reconnecting with God through Scripture. You can find a list of connection groups on THIS PAGE of our website. If you have a question about a connection group, contact Randy Jackson at rjackson@fbcmilton.org.

Get involved at MDWK at First | Wednesdays at 6:00 PM

Each Wednesday we have numerous Bible studies and other programming for the whole family!

Children (5th grade and under) meet in the children's building and learn about God and how to become the people he created us to be!

Our students (6th - 12th grade) meet in the student building (upstairs in the FLC) for a time of worship and Bible study.

We have numerous adult groups that meet for Bible study. This "semester" begins with the following studies...

• Women's Bible study | Life Under the Sun: The Unexpectedly Good News of Ecclesiastes
• Men's Bible study | Seven Challenges Men Encounter
• Single Moms | It's Not Supposed To Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered
• Young Adults | A study through the Minor Prophets
• Pastor's Bible study (all ages and stages of life) | A study through 1-2 Kings and 1-2 Chronicles