Friday, October 5, 2018

WAYS TO TURN A CONVERSATION TOWARD CHRIST



We often challenge our people to be ‘on mission’ in their daily lives.   Some churches have simplified their church calendars in order to free their people up to have more time to ‘on mission’.   But we may need to help them open their eyes to …

... a parent at their child’s school. 
... a coworker they eat lunch with.
... a car pool partner.
... the pitcher on your softball team.
... their next-door neighbor. 
... a fellow parent with their child’s sporting team.

These are all people they spend a good amount of time with; people with whom they have developed friendships.

But how do they turn the conversations they have with people such as into door openers for the gospel?  Worldwide Challenge magazine, a publication of Campus Crusade for Christ, suggests these questions for turning talk toward spiritual truth.

1.       People invest time and energy into developing their careers, their bodies, and their relationships, but often neglect the spiritual dimension of their lives.  How do you actively pursue spiritual growth? 

2.       Do you think much about spiritual things? (This usually leads to conversation about what “spiritual” means – i.e. religion vs. relationship.) 

3.       How has this experience affected the way you look at God? 

4.       We’ve never had a chance to talk about your religious background.  Where would you say you are in your spiritual pilgrimage? 

5.       What is your concept of God? 

6.       Do you feel you are satisfied with your spiritual condition or is it something you are still moving toward?  May I tell you how I came to that point? 

7.       Do you find that faith and spiritual values play a role in your work? Marriage? Perspective in life? 

8.       Do you go to church?  Why or why not? 

9.       How do you think a person becomes a Christian? 

10.   Most people in America say that they believe in God.  What does believing in God mean to you? 

11.   We’ve been friends for some time now and I’ve never really talked to you about the most important thing in my life.  May I take a few moments and do so? 

12.   (Bring a friend to your church or a Christian event; then ask) What did you think about it?  Did it make any sense to you? 

13.   I’d hate for you to come to my church and not understand what it’s all about.  Let me tell you what you could expect to see and hear.


THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

Resources to help develop your church’s stewardship generosity - https://www.lifeway.com/en/special-emphasis/generosity

FOR CHURCH LEADERS:  FREE shipping on all books, Bibles, and church supplies (over $50) from your friendly LifeWay store? Check it out! https://buff.ly/2vlPn3I

FOR CHURCH LEADERS: 12 ways to begin a conversation about generous giving - https://buff.ly/2mrsQej

FOR LEADER TRAINING: Ministry Grid - https://buff.ly/2IoJuER

FOR LEADER TRAINING: Digital Bundle of Ministry Grid, smallgroup.com, and WordSearch - https://buff.ly/2xWTxh1

FOR BIBLE STUDY LEADERS: Adult Group Box for starting new groups - https://www.lifeway.com/en/bible-studies-for-life/adults/group-box

FOR CHURCH LEADERS:  Reconnect - Use this simple but effective way to reconnect with those members who have dropped out or are not connected to a Bible study group. https://buff.ly/2LMD0AD

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: The Balanced Discipleship Plan: A Catalog of Studies to Develop Disciples - https://buff.ly/2Gv3CY6

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: smallgroup.com - https://www.smallgroup.com/app/index.html#/home

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: James by Matt Chandler – https://buff.ly/2yiJmGs

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY:  LifeWay Women’s Leadership Forum, Hendersonville, TN, November 8-10, 2018 - https://buff.ly/2mUqCoa

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Discerning the Voice of  God by Priscilla Shirer - https://www.lifeway.com/content/lifeway/us/en/product-family/discerning-the-voice-of-god.html

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Mom Set Free by Jeannie Cunnion - https://buff.ly/2PbDKS7

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY:  What Matters Most by Karen Ehman - https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/what-matters-most-leader-kit-P005802633

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Sign up for the LifeWay Men’s Newsletter - https://www.lifeway.com/en/shop/ministries/men

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY:  Making Space by Jeff Vanderstelt -  https://buff.ly/2MCJjrR

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Unstuck by James McDonald - https://buff.ly/2vxsLty

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Kingdom Disciples by Tony Evans - https://buff.ly/2GlN9SW

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: The Armor of God by Priscilla Shirer - https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/the-armor-of-god-teen-bible-study-book-P005806985

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Unfolded for Teen Guys by Eric Geiger - https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/unfolded-bible-study-for-teen-guys-P005799068

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Resources for True Love Waits - https://www.lifeway.com/en/product-family/true-love-waits

FOR FAMILY MINISTRY: Reaching the Next Generation - https://buff.ly/2AMJ8se

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: 5 Ways to Increase Your Volunteer Base in Kids Ministry - https://buff.ly/2prv3rv

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: What does it Mean to be a Christian - Here's a brand new resource to help children understand what it means to be a Christian. https://buff.ly/2NVCqBN

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Kid Event Pro – An online Kids Ministry Event Planning system - https://buff.ly/2PaMurS

Final Blog, addendum

As one final joke among my teammates, I was somehow selected to give the devotional at our final Zoom meeting.  Among the 30 team members, I...