3) Pray
specifically for 3 non-Christians that you would have the opportunity to share
the Gospel with them.
If we want to build intentional relationships where
sharing your faith is a natural part of conversation with friends, then we need
to be deliberate in our prayers.
Why not commit three non-Christian friends or colleagues or family
members regularly to the Lord.
Pray that He would draw them to Himself and that He would give you grace
to make the most of every opportunity that comes your way.
To get you thinking, for your encouragement, and to
help you see the variance in what this looks like for different people, I asked
a few of the women in Charlotte to tell us some of the ways in which they are
trying to be intentional in building relationships as a platform for sharing
the gospel.
Here’s what they said…..
- For me, the main thing is to try to be so constantly saturated with the things of God that in every possible scenario it's natural for me to think of ways to try and turn the conversation down a path which allows me to share the Gospel - so I guess I want intentionality to be my natural response.
- I think being honest with the people we're speaking to is a good place to start. For example, we can pretty much be talking around any topic and sin in some shape or form will come up - if it's something I've done or struggled with (and it usually is) I would try and say something about that, which then leads to either explaining why I don't do it anymore or don't want to do it etc etc or even better the other person acknowledges that I've changed in relation to whatever the sin is and asks me how.
- Christmas is an amazing gift to evangelism - a simple thing is I send tracts out with Christmas cards, including to everyone in my department at work.
- Facebook is there to be redeemed and I try and post things that might make people think - I also keep my friend network wide and then regulate what I see from my end - so that I can post things for them to see but I don't have to see the things they post (by unsubscribing to them but keeping them as friends).
- Because I'm at work all day I don't have to try to hard to meet people - they're everywhere! Being asked what I've done at the weekend is an easy way to introduce a conversation (assuming I've been at church!).
- I think that the more we are spending our time wisely - reading Scripture, reading books on anything to do with Christianity, involved in Church, discipling others, submitting to one another, loving each other etc etc - the more often a benign question like how are you or what have you been up to can provide a platform for sharing the Gospel. I've really noticed that in my own life. If I've spent the weekend or my weeknights at home in front of the TV, my response to what have you been up to is pretty rubbish - nothing much. But if I've been spending my time wisely - there's all manner of great things I could say which might open the conversation up - and that goes for colleagues, friends, close family and family that I maybe don't see so regularly.
- Most of my non- Christian friends at the moment are mums from school, I try to spend time with them building friendships and when the opportunity comes along I can invite them to events.
- Investing time with people is valuable and once people get to know you they are more open.
- I help with S.U. group and this is a good way of getting to know the children and the mums
- I have been intentional in spending time with the muslim mums at school, it is easier to talk to them about being a Christian as they have a belief themselves.
- I invited one of my colleagues to a book group with girls from my church. This is a good way for her to meet other Christians and also our faith influences the things we talk about and can be a good way to naturally share the gospel.
- Another simple thing I do is to go to the same coffee shop to get coffee. There is a new independent coffee shop near my flat which I go to. Being their first customer one Sunday morning means they now know I go to church. By having quick chats each day I buy my coffee I am hoping better conversations will open up in the future - who knows!
- Asking people what they believe and why. We often think we need to defend our beliefs as Christians while not often asking other people what they think. So I think the why question is a great way to open up more conversations. I guess I need to use that more!
- I have been deliberate in asking my sister to be a bridesmaid at my wedding. It is so that we can spend some time together and we will have a chance to share our life with her. From now on I trust God to do what he will, and help prepare for the fruits of the love of Jesus by including her in my new life, in a way that she feels able and wants to be included - she loves dresses, make up, shoes so bridesmaid is a good job for her! Also it means she will have the chance to mix with my other Christian friends.
- I was asked by a guy, I occasionally worked with, what apps I had on my phone. I told him the Bible was the only app I used (at that time) which led to a chat.
- In my job I always mention a few times that I go to church or give an anecdote about church, or tell them about the great youth work my children go to at church, to see if I get a response.
- I've taken meals to people (parents of Daughter’s school friends) having kitchens fitted.
- Try to chum neighbour when she walks her dog.
- We invite our neighbours around every Christmas to mulled wine and mince pies with an invite to carol service. I try to invite them to secular things, like going to cinema, throughout the year so they don't feel they only get invite to Christian things.
- The main thing I do at the moment is go to a book group.
- Taking meals to families with a new baby - so normal in church but such a surprise to anyone else when you do it, and a chance to talk about why.
- Pray for individuals and for opportunities to speak the gospel. That God would help me be specific. In some seasons we can be overwhelmed by the opportunities (eg at school gate), at others they are more limited.
- Memorise scripture, eg Romans 1v16, proverbs 3 v 5-6., passages that speak to my own personal weaknesses, temptations. Then speak them to myself at appropriate times!
- Love people. Text, send cards, deliver food/meals, offer help with Childcare. Be someone that people will talk to and tell their problems too, someone they trust. And let them help you as well.
- Listen well. And then respond. Get involved with school fair, school outings, any opportunity to meet/get alongside people.
- Give a book appropriate to where people are (eg I gave my dad who moved the stone? Frank Morison after we were there at Easter and he asked how we knew the resurrection happened.)
- Know when to speak and when not to speak. I struggle with this one, always want it to happen in my timing and not Gods! Sometimes not appropriate to share the gospel as about being there for your neighbours when they need you.
- Speak about God in normal speech, talk about what you did at the weekend, what the kids are involved in, use this as opportunities to ask other children along to Christian things.
- Trust that God will work things for good and in His timing!
