As an individual student you, as an ambassador for Christ, are to be concerned for the spiritual status of your friends and acquaintances. God has blessed you with the relationships you have with non-Christians for the purpose of influencing them for Christ.

May I make several, brief recommendations as to how to begin to reach your friends with the good news of Christ?

First, ask God to give you insight concerning the needs of your friends. Needs are designed by God to help people recognize their most critical need--the need to know Him. Furthermore, needs are like "windows" in that they can help you and me "look into" the life of a person understand how to most effectively relate the good news of Jesus Christ to that particular individual.

Did you ever stop and notice how the promises which God makes in the Bible address so many of the needs people face to today? To those who know God, he promises:

• Peace to those who are in turmoil
• Joy to those who are sad
• Hope to those who see no future
• Relationship to those who are lonely
• Acceptance to those who feel rejection.

Though individuals may experience a variety of surface needs (i.e.--the need for more money, the need for a nicer car, the need for a girlfriend or boyfriend, etc.), these "needs" are really indicators of much deeper needs (i.e.--the need for purpose in life, the need for acceptance, the need for love, etc.). We may call these deepest needs "core life needs."

Core life needs are those that are essential to having contentment in life and only find complete satisfaction in a relationship with God! There is not a single, core life need for which God's Word does not promise fulfillment!

Stop for a moment, right now, and ask God to give you insight into the lives of two or three of your friends. What "surface needs" to they seem to have? In view of these "surface needs" what core life need(s) requires fulfillment in their life today?

Second, as God gives you insight into the lives of your friends and acquaintances, pray that God gives you opportunity to show kindness toward them. Kindness is a welcome "friend" to anyone who is in need for it demonstrates care and concern. The Bible tells us, "But when the kindness [emphasis mine] and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy" (Titus 2:4-5).

Yes, God's kindness was motivated by his mercy (i.e.--compassion, concern) for us and led to our salvation (for it "appeared" in the sending of His Son, Jesus). Even so our demonstration of kindness toward our friends in need will be used of God to help them more clearly understand His kindness and love. Remember! As Christ's ambassadors we share his truth in deed (through our habits and attitudes) just as surely as we share his truth in word!

How can you show kindness? Be creative! Begin by asking the Author of kindness, Himself! Ask God not only to give you insight into the needs of your friends but, also, ask him to give you insight how to demonstrate kindness, in view of those needs, which will communicate to your friends that you care.

One word of warning: Don't miss those small opportunities to show kindness! If a friend (or even a student you know "from a distance!") needs a ride, give them a ride! If they seem to be struggling in a subject in which you have particular ability, offer to help them. And, if they are having problems within their family or with their girlfriend or boyfriend, simply be willing to listen.

My son, Micah (when he was in high school), told me that one way he has found to demonstrate kindness is through quarters. That's right! Quarters! He said everyone is always looking for a quarter (to make a phone call, just that extra amount needed to buy a drink, who knows what!). So, he purposely carries an extra quarter or two to school so he can "float a loan" as the need arises. This simple act of kindness, he says, has opened the door to new relationships (So that's where all my quarters have gone)!

When someone understands that you care, your "ability" to share the love of Jesus Christ with that individual (not to mention their friends!) is tremendously increased. Kindness is a crucial element in your lifestyle as a Christian!

Take a moment, now, to reconsider the needs of the friends you listed above. Look at their needs (particularly "core-life" needs) as God-given opportunities that will enable you to demonstrate the love of Christ through acts of kindness. Make a note of how you can begin to show kindness to them in view of the need(s) they have (check out the link that follows to see a sample chart that you may wish to recreate to help you with this: http://content.silaspartners.com/460/45936/460_45936_FriendsInNeedChart.Chart.doc).

You will truly be amazed by how opportunities arise to share Christ's love as you work to show kindness to the people in your world!

Third, be willing to take initiative! At some point, you must be willing to share the truth behind the kindness you demonstrate! Though the quality of your life is certainly invaluable to the truth you convey about Christ, there is no way, apart from the language with which we communicate, that someone can understand how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ!

As I was writing this, Micah suggested two attitudes that he has found helpful in encouraging him to take the initiative to share Christ's good news. He said, "Dad, tell the students that they must have both freedom and confidence; freedom to talk about Jesus Christ (even though other students may believe otherwise) and confidence knowing that to share Christ is honoring to God. When I know that something is pleasing to God then I know that he is going to help me do it and I will enjoy it!"

The two attitudes of freedom and confidence are absolutely essential before you will be able to take the initiative to share the good news of Christ with others. Regardless of what our society says about the "equality of ideas" (e.g.--that everyone's opinions have equal merit or value) the Bible very clearly states:

"Salvation is found in no one else [only Jesus Christ], for there is no other name under heaven given to me by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

Ask God to make you keenly aware of the fact that, apart from Christ, the students at your school will spend an eternity apart from God! This is a very critical matter. It is an eternal matter. It is a matter that each of us, as ambassadors of Jesus Christ, must take personal responsibility. Yet, it is a responsibility that brings great joy as we experience God's Spirit working in and through us as we fulfill Christ's mission!

Now, back to your friends. You have considered their needs. You have prayed about how to show kindness in view of those needs. Now take the time to seriously consider how and when you would like to trust God to take the initiative to begin sharing the truth of God's love which is the motivation for the kindness you have shown.

Perhaps you will want to meet one of your friends for lunch and simply ask him/her if you could share with them about your friendship with God. Perhaps, another, you will let them listen to one of your Christian CDs (which appeals to their music interests) and, then, later talk about the words of one of the songs which clearly talks about Christ. And, for another friend, you may choose to invite them to a special event sponsored by your church's youth group. Whatever you choose to do, just remember that you are doing that which pleases God and you can be sure that he is going to help you in the process! How's that for a freedom and confidence builder?

Let me conclude with three final challenges:

• Learn how to share your faith in Christ if you do not know how! There are many "tools" which can be of help. Above all, remember it is not difficult. You can begin quite simply by telling someone what God has done for you.

There are four essential elements of the gospel of Christ that can be easily communicated:
#1--There is a personal God who, as the Creator of all people, desires to have a personal relationship with you. (John 3:16)

#2--Mankind is separated from this God because of "sin" (disobedience to God). One's separation from God is clearly shown by the harmful attitudes and actions that infect and affect all of us: jealousy, bitterness, hatred, dishonesty, violence, greed, etc. Sin keeps all of us from having a personal relationship with God. (Romans 3:23)

#3--Because of God's love for you and me, he took the initiative to provide a way to know him. He chose to have his Son, Jesus, pay the ultimate penalty for our breaking God's law; Jesus paid the required death penalty so that our sin would be forgiven and you and I could enjoy the privilege of a relationship with God. Yes, Jesus died in our place! (I Peter 3:18)

#4--God requires that everyone, for themselves, accept the way he has provided to know him. That simply involves placing ones trust / confidence in Jesus Christ and believing that he, alone, is able to provide the way to a relationship with God. (John 1:12; 14:6).

• Always be prepared! Think of the conversations you have, the classes in your schedule, and the people who sit near you in class or who play on the team with you as God-given opportunities to share Christ. And, what about your teachers? They, too, are potential members of God's family!  My son used his term paper assignment in English class to write a paper on the Holocaust. He concluded his oral presentation by talking about Christians who had given their lives to protect the Jews. He, in turn, dedicated his paper to two of his Jewish friends in his class and used this as a means to share God's love with them.
• Be willing to be held accountable! If the Christian students at your school choose to do nothing else other than commit themselves to share Christ with five of their friends during the school year, and to hold each other accountable in that endeavor, you will be amazed at what God will accomplish in and through you!

Make it a priority to share your Friends in Need chart with one or two other Christian friends (at your school or in your youth group). Each week meet to pray for the students listed on each others charts. As you take the initiative to show the love of Christ and share his good news, expect God to do great things in your life and in your school!

• More from Strength for the Task