Well, here we are, the final element that we are adding to our ordinary attempts -- looking for opportunities to add something spiritual to the conversations that you have with people.
What does that look like? Here's a simple example: You ask someone how they are doing, and as you listen they tell you that they are going through something hard. And so, you tell them you will pray for them. Maybe the next time you see them you ask them about their circumstance and tell them that you have been praying for them. In my experience people not only will not say no to your offer to pray for them. In fact, regardless of their faith background, people most often are blessed when you tell the that you are going to pray for them -- and even more blessed when you tell them you have done so.
That's just one example of how you might introduce something spiritual into your conversation with somebody. There are lots of other ways to do this -- it's Christmas time, use your imagination. Don't forget to have fun in the process, and don't forget that God is at work in all the places you where you engage people (before, during and after you get there).
I look forward to reading about your ordinary attempts to expose people to the reality that the Kingdom of God has come near to them.
6 comments:
We were driving down to the mall and stopped at a light where a homeless man was standing at the center divider. I rolled down the window, gave hims some money and asked him how he was doing. He told me he was doing good.
I asked if the recent cold weather was creating problems for him, and he told me that he was ok, because he had lots of blankets.
I asked him his name, he told what it was and I told him that I would pray for his safety and protection from the elements.
He thanked me and then had to hurry to the next car. The light turned green and we drove on.
Doug
Way to go, Doug! It was very kind of you to not only inquire about how he was doing (and then actually LISTEN!), but to give him some cash as well.
I wanted to suggest the possibility here that you don't have to "Bring up something spiritual" (this is an "add-on" to ordinary attempts that a lot of people lean into).
I know this is the assignment, and I might get spanked for this, but I have to mention that ordinary attempts are about not steering the conversation or controlling the outcome of it. This is very different from our normal paradigm for evangelism which is essentially all about getting a person to convert.
We are wanting people to follow Jesus, and believe there needs to be a conversion for this to happen, but we believe God is already at work in others bringing them to himself. We are, by doing ordinary attempts, trying to connect with THAT...and not get in the way too much.
Engaging with others in this respectful way will result in conversations, if we continue to practice these ordinary attempts with people all around us. SOME of these conversations will turn to spiritual things, for sure, but we don't need to force that in any way. The subject matter will very naturally be raised by our new friends as they see Jesus in us and sense that they really matter to US.
Doug's story is a great example of this in a brief (and probably one-time) encounter. He was simply expressing kindness, and in the context of that expression mentioned that he would be praying for this man. This was a very cool and kind thing to do, but my caution is to not make these kind of efforts into a canned program where you say things to steer the conversation.
We call this cautionary approach "non-manipulative intentionality", meaning we intentionally engage with others in the hope that we might help nudge them closer to Jesus, but we release control of how that happens (or even IF it happens) to God. We follow His lead, listen carefully for his promptings, and things happen.
I'd love to hear some stories about how a conversation went spiritual without you steering it that way. Anybody had that happen? Tell your story here, or send it to me over at the doableevangelism.com site.
Thanks!
i dont really know if this is the fourth step of the attempts but here it goes..
I am in Nebraska and avisiting my dad ,and step sister and mom. My sister is not very informed of the bible so i gave her one as a gift and i told her that if she had any questions she can ask me. She said she kind of believes in this "stuff" and she thinks that church is boring...So i am kind of helping her to find God
I was up in Seattle, at Pikes Place Market with a group of people from my class. We stopped and started talking to this young guy about the photo's he was selling, how he got interested in photography and the like. He asked what we were we were from and what brought us to Seattle. We said, "school." He asked, "what for?" We replied, "a doctorate program." He asked, "what in?" I replied, "ministry," and asked him what his experience was with faith or church or spirituality.
He shared that he had grown up christian, but now "found most relevance and peace in the teachings of Buddha." Anyway, after a while, he shared how evangelicals were always telling him he was "going to hell," and seemed so angry. We talked about Jesus, and assured him that when one reads the gospels, they never see Jesus yelling at someone and telling them they were going to hell -- except for maybe religious people who used their religion to push people around.
He said, "yeah, Christians, seem to think they have the exclusive way to God." As we talked, I was able to share that Jesus said, and I believed that Jesus was the exclusive way to God, but that his request is to follow him; he isn't yelling "your going to hell, but wants to know you."
We just had a great talk and a great conversation. When he asked what he should do about christians who hate on him, I told him to feel sorry for them, because even if they are Christians, that they have a messed up idea of what it means to follow Jesus, and that there is no way they can be experiencing the peace and joy that Jesus promises those who follow him.
When we left, he said he would read the gospels and see "the real Jesus for himself."
It was real cool, and I feel blessed that God made that appointment.
Encouraging. What a anxious feeling it is for us to step out of our comfort zone, and actually share GOOD NEWS with a complete stranger or even someone we love. Yet maybe we shouldn't feel such fear, I think every move, whether little or large, that we make for the furthering of His Kingdom, is blessed by Him. Therefore if God is for me, what then should I fear. I will make this step of boldness, for my God is with me. No fear.
Hey! I'm posting!!
My best friend, Michelle, hurt her shoulder today before her dance performance (she still performed though). She's really scared that she badly hurt it. She says it doesn't really hurt, but feels funny. Thankfully it is not swollen either. Probably her shoulder came out of her socket (3 times!). I told her I would pray for her. She might go to the hospital tomorrow. Please keep her in your prayers. She's really scared. Thanks.
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