Sharing Month

May is Sharing Month

Help your community find hope

Now more than ever is an opportune time to share the reasons why, as Seventh-day Adventists, we have such hope while human hearts are failing. The overarching biblical story of the ‘Conflict of the Ages’ as shared in The Great Controversy lifts Jesus high and reminds of His promise to return. The Great Hope is a smaller sharing booklet with selections from The Great Controversy, with offers to receive a copy of the complete book in print, audiobook and eBook formats.

This May, join the local plan for a worldwide project to share the message of Ellen White’s The Great Controversy. We have three ways you can share:

Share The Great Hope sharing book with your community—a smaller booklet with selections from The Great Controversy includes an invitation to receive a copy of the complete book in print, digital or audio formats, as well as other offers.
Share A Guy on a Bike and 20,000 lives transformed with your community – a tract telling the story of Phillip Reekie and the impact of The Great Controversy, with offers for readers to request the larger book in various formats. This is an adaptation from the successful I Will Go Ride tract and can be carried with you wherever you go!
Share The Great Controversy with a family member, friend, work colleague or acquaintance who is interested in the topic.

Find a participating church

Ten ways to share

Read a sharing book!

Pray for an opportunity to share.

Preach from the sharing book of the year during the month of May and offer the book to attendees.

Participate in traditional sharing methods such as display racks or door knocking. When sharing a spiritual book, also offer a health or topical book with it.

Invite someone over for dinner and a movie. Give a relevant sharing book as a gift. You might like to watch The Chosen TV series.

Host a church movie night and give a sharing book as a gift to attendees.

Include in your Welcome Pack at church.

Share your testimony and your favourite quote from the book in person or online.

Include at a Book Sharing Table at church seminars, expos and programs.

Help youth achieve their Pathfinder literature honour by sharing.

Learn how to effectively share literature

Download Video

Here are four ways to prepare your church for success:

Helpful Resources:
a) A health book offered with a spiritual book has proven to significantly increase the sharing effectiveness and get more spiritual books into the community.

b) The tract A Guy on A Bike is an inspiring narrative introducing people to The Great Controversy and how it has transformed lives. This is an important resource to share with the book.

Training:
A helpful 12-minute training video resource How to Effectively Share Literature covers diverse sharing methods and helpful training – including safety, respect, how to effectively connect with anyone, and how to effectively share literature. Your local church can download the video above to watch together before you begin sharing.

Find a participating church:
Looking for a church to partner with? Visit the map above to find a list of participating churches. If you are unable to find a church nearby, please contact your Conference for a more comprehensive list.

Sharing Month Promotion:
The Sharing Month provides a focused time to share Jesus through a tangible gift of a book. Download graphics below for promotion in your church.

Share this eTract online

Visiting your Community

If meeting a person for the first time, begin by introducing yourself and who you are representing. Consider, is the book a gift from you, your church or Pathfinder group?

A suggested introduction for sharing Step Beyond

“Here is a special gift (hand book over). It helped me experience happiness and a friendship with Jesus. My favourite chapter is … “

Other suggested intro’s for sharing a double gift-pack of Step Beyond & A Taste of Food As Medicine in your community –

Introduction – Full version

Hello, how are you today? My name is […] from your local […] Adventist church / Pathfinder club. Today we are offering a free cookbook from one of Australia’s leading dietitians helping with lifestyle diseases. This one explores the spiritual journey to lasting happiness. (hand books over with health book on the top.) Have a fantastic day!

Introduction – Basic version

Hello, how are you today? My name is […] from your local […] Adventist church / Pathfinder club and we are offering this special gift (hand books over) on health and hope. It will just cost you a kind smile! (be sure to smile yourself)

Introduction & prayer requests

Hello, how are you today? My name is […] from your local […] Adventist church and we are offering this special gift (hand books over) on health and happiness. (Pause) We like to keep our community in prayer. Is there anything specific you would like us to add to our prayer list?

A suggested intro to the A Guy on a Bike tract – with your community.

Here is an amazing story of 20,000 lives transformed! The book the guy shared helps me live with confidence in an uncertain world and is available as a free offer in the back.

A suggested short intro for sharing The Great Hope sharing book and a health book – with your community: (short version)

Hello, how are you today? My name is […] from your local […] Adventist church / Pathfinder club and we are offering this special gift (hand books over) on health and hope. It can help us face the future with confidence! It will just cost you a kind smile! (be sure to smile yourself) Have a great day!

A suggested intro for sharing The Great Hope sharing book – with your community. (full version)

Hello, how are you today? My name is […] Have you ever felt like the world is caught in a battle between good and evil? Do you find yourself constantly bombarded by negative news about wars, natural disasters, financial crisis, pollution, and disease? If so, you’re not alone. But if there was a book that reveals not only what is happening, but why it is happening, and what will happen next – would you be interested? (Hand book/s over) This is a free gift with compliments from your local… […] Adventist church / Pathfinder club.

A suggested intro for sharing The Great Controversy and A Guy on a Bike tract – with a friend, neighbour or colleague who is interested in the topic.

Here is a gift that has helped me understand the hard questions. (Hand over book with A Guy on a Bike tract on the top). The Great Controversy follows the path of freedom from the dark ages until now. It shows how men and women stood up for freedom, and died because of it. This book has helped thousands to understand today’s headlines in the light of Bible prophecy. This inspiring story shares how the book has transformed 20,000 lives!

Follow up options

If someone you meets wants to talk a little longer, you can also offer a survey, based on your local church’s community services. Alternatively, you may offer the books as a thank-you gift for completing a short survey. Where appropriate, offer to pray for them or keep them in your prayers. You may also wish to include your card or a personal note.

Don’t forget, some people are just waiting for an invitation to join you for a meal or small group activity. Don’t just be friendly – be a friend!