“Always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in you”…..writes Peter, who of course famously went and denied Jesus 3 times in succession when he had been arrested!
Actually we all have opportunities probably every day to have conversations that can change the direction of people’s lives….for good! So here are some ideas in the hope that you know the fun and excitement of being a difference-maker.
1) Love people. Its not meant to be soppy! "Jesus looked at him and loved him”.
When you look at someone as you talk to them, remember they are hugely loved by God…just as they are.
STOP thinking about what you are going to say next…..you will just end up getting self absorbed and nervous.
The big idea in the New Testament is that we are ‘IN CHRIST’, so that means chill out and let him live through you.
Let him show you how he feels about this person. I talk to God as I look at someone and pray: “show me lord, help me feel and think about this person the way you do.”
2) Listen first. Don’t go rabbiting on.
Start by being REALLY interested in them. Ask simple questions about life. THEIR LIFE. Given half a chance people love to talk about themselves.
Ask and listen…
3) Life. When you do speak, talk about real life.
Remember this: YOUR story IS their Story. It is the human story.
I often get out photos of my children, of Sharon my wife. I talk about what I am struggling with, what my hopes are.
Resist attempts to make your life sound ‘all sorted’.
4) Say what you see. O.K. You’re loving, you’re listening, you’re asking questions and showing genuine interest in them, and in their life story.
Now …Christ is in you… what do you see? I mean what dreams, hopes do you see?
Where do you see integrity, love…good things? Remember all good things come from God.
Be courageous and affirm who they are as a person and what their potential is. What does Father God want to say to one of his prodigal children?
5) Simple answers. When young children ask questions about life, the deal is not to give long, complicated and clever sounding answers. Same here.
Short simple answers to simple questions. If you don’t know, say so!
6) Sorry. For example: I am sorry for the times I have failed to communicate the real message of Christ to you.
Or: I am sorry for the way the church that I am a supposed to be part of has failed you and people like you and stopped you from seeing the true message.
Fact is, this is often true (unless you and the church have been a 100% reflection of Jesus that is!?).
7) Spiritual stuff. Assume that this person is spiritual. Because they are. Not only that, but they have probably had an experience of God and not talked about it or recognized it as such.
I often say, (once we are in a trusting place) something like: “ Can I ask a question about you?
It fascinates me that I often find people have had interesting ‘spiritual experiences’, or odd things happen that make them think about God, but don’t talk about it.
Has anything like that ever happened to you?” (e.g. answer to prayer, aware of God in nature, dream or vision, aware of evil presence etc).
8) Story. Here’s a different way to explain the faith thing. When you are born you have this amazing life potential before you.
Your story.
As your story unfolds people often find life does not work out as they had hoped. I am ‘disappointed with my life’ is a common feeling.
The deal with the God stuff is you have a choice about which version of your story you are in. You can have the one you have now.
You just hope for the best as you work life out by yourself.…..or you begin to recognize that God has the version of your story as it was meant to be. Full of his dreams, hopes and resources for you. This is what it was like for people who met Jesus then. This is what the Spirit of Jesus is doing today. It’s the ‘Dream of God’ (that’s another way of saying ‘The Kingdom’).
The big themes are grace, faith, and action; identity, forgiveness (not sinfulness), human potential, building life on solid ground, love, life and light.
Develop your own favourite ways of re-telling Christ’s message.
9) Be expectant. You have been chosen by God to be fruitful. Say to God each day, “ I am available today.” Christ wants to live his life through you to touch others. Opportunity abounds if only we have eyes to see.
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