A friend of mine just told me about a television show she likes. She said, "When I find something really good, I get excited, and I want to tell my friends about it." What about you? is there anything you think is really wonderful, which you want to tell people about?

Amazing Things

One day, in the course of His travels, Jesus stopped at a well in a Samaritan village. He met a woman there and told her amazing things, revealing, "I AM the Messiah!" (John 4:26). She was so excited that she "left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone" (John 4:28). Have you ever learned something so amazing that you can’t wait to tell everyone about it?

His Message

On the morning of Jesus' resurrection, His followers found His tomb empty, but "they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead" (John 20:9). Mary Magdalene stayed behind, weeping. But Jesus appeared to her, proving His triumph over death. He instructed her to tell the others about the miracle, and she obeyed: "Mary Magdalene found the Disciples and told them, 'I have seen the Lord!' Then she gave them His message" (John 20:18). When the Lord instructs you to share His words, how do you respond?

Good News

When the Samaritan woman told her people about Jesus, "many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because [of what] the woman had said" (John 4:39). But when Mary Magdalene "told [the Disciples] that Jesus was alive and she had seen Him, they didn’t believe her" (Mark 16:11) until He appeared to them Himself.

Jesus told His followers, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone" (Mark 16:15). Today, His followers carry on with the task. As in Jesus’ day, some will believe; but other times, even our dearest friends or family members will refuse God’s truth. When the Lord asks you to tell others the Good News, will you run to do it, like the Samaritan woman and Mary Magdalene?

Prayer, Care, and Share Jesus

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:8-9.

It is so wonderful to know from 2 Peter 3:8-9 that the Lord is patient with us, as He does not want anyone to perish but all to come to repentance. It’s important to always remember that every action you take can be a vital step to move someone closer to everlasting life through Jesus Christ.

So, this week I want to challenge you with a specific task. Think about five people you know, who don’t yet know Jesus as Lord and Savior, or have turned away from Him. These may be family, friends or colleagues at work or school. Maybe you have shared Jesus already with them, but they have not chosen to follow Him. You care about these people and really want to see them come to know Christ. You now know that the Lord shares your heart because of what He says in 2 Peter 3:8-9.

Here’s the challenge. Write those five names in a journal, the front of your Bible, or a sticky note on your computer monitor -- wherever you will see them daily. Practice sharing your faith with them daily. You can use techniques you’ve learned in this guide from past weeks to help you. Let’s call this the “Take 5 Challenge”. There will be more about this challenge in upcoming Weekly Prayer Letters.

How long do you do this? Until each person has accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, or at least one year. When any of them become believers, add the name of another friend or loved one to your “Take 5” list. I challenge you to “Take 5” until the day you are too old to pray anymore!

“Take 5” is therefore a serious effort between you and the Lord and the people on your list. So think carefully about these five people and talk to the Lord about them often, keeping in mind the Scripture 2 Peter 3:8-9.