Give the Gift of Faith
by Lia Icaza-Willetts, former staff of the General Board of Discipleship

This time of year, malls are filled with shoppers looking for just the right present. Why not give people something wonderful by sharing your faith in Jesus Christ? The following suggestions will help your congregation share its faith in this Christmas season.

• By December 1, print a Christmas flyer with dates and times of services and Christmas programs for the month. Provide copies for the congregation to distribute. From December 10 until Christmas, advertise the time of Christmas services on a sign outside the church. For example: "Come, there is room for you on Dec. 24 at 8:00 p.m." or "Come join your Christian Family on Dec. 24 at 7:00 p.m."
• Ask members of the congregation to talk with friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, and acquaintances about the blessings of God in their lives. Have a short-term holiday season prayer group to pray for God's guidance as people share their faith and to pray that those who hear the Christmas message will dedicate their lives to Christ.
• Ask your pastor to preach sermons focused on faith sharing during the holidays. Ask families to share of their time and resources with a community agency that ministers to needy families. Recruit a group of "Christmas Disciples" who will give a friendly visit to all visitors who come to church in the month of December. Distribute flyers, and invite these visitors to join a Sunday School class, a small group, or a prayer group.