{"id":1277,"date":"2012-01-06T08:50:16","date_gmt":"2012-01-06T08:50:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dare2share.org\/uncategorized\/the-death-of-hypocrisy-a-life-of-doing-good-energize-article\/"},"modified":"2021-01-04T05:38:48","modified_gmt":"2021-01-04T05:38:48","slug":"the-death-of-hypocrisy-a-life-of-doing-good-energize-article","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dare2share.org\/discipleship\/the-death-of-hypocrisy-a-life-of-doing-good-energize-article\/","title":{"rendered":"The Death of Hypocrisy: A Life of Doing Good"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is something powerful about a life of doing good deeds for other people. When Mother Teresa was alive, she had earned the respect of the entire planet because of her lifelong sacrificial work in the streets of Calcutta, India.<\/p>\n

When your students do good things for others, they too will earn a reputation throughout their school as someone who loves God and loves others. This reputation can open the door for them to share Jesus in a powerful way.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s one of the reasons why a life of doing good is a critical piece of our God-given faith sharing gear. And as youth leaders, we need to coach our students to use this piece of gear effectively.<\/p>\n

Scripture explains it this way:<\/p>\n

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven<\/em> (Matthew 5:15-16).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

David Kinnaman\u2019s book UnChristian <\/em>documented the damage Christian hypocrisy (perceived or real) wreaked on the 16 to 29 year old nonbelievers the Barna Group surveyed. Hypocrisy was one of the distinctives this age group most commonly associated with Christians and Christianity.<\/p>\n

This demonstrates how essential it is that we help our students understand that how they live their lives before the world really does matter. Sharing their faith isn\u2019t just about words, it\u2019s also about actions. Tilling the spiritual soil with a life of good deeds opens doors for the gospel message. \u00a0It also allows us to represent Christ well to a watching world, for we must always remember that 2 Corinthians 5:20 tells us we are Jesus’ ambassadors:<\/p>\n

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So here are some specific ideas that can help you get your students started down this road. Encourage them to try one or more of the following:<\/p>\n