Jesus Christ Really Does Change Lives Year 1 Newsletter 31
Inspired by the Olympics 1 Corinthians 9:23-25 Do you not know that in a race all
the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. (NIV)
Father, You have given us in the 21st century a similar challenge to share the gospel with as many people as possible. How can we do this? - We embrace people’s circumstances. We look at a person’s circumstances and ask how we can use each of their circumstances to show the love of the gospel to them. For
example:
- Age – If they are a child or a senior citizen, how can we minister to them? We play childish games to build trust with a child. We perhaps play Bingo with someone in a nursing home.
- Gender – If they are a man or woman, a father or mother, a son or daughter, a husband or wife, how can we minister to them? Men are best suited to minister to other men and women with other women.
- Marriage, family -
Perhaps the men of the church can help a single mother with home repairs. Perhaps the women of the church can help a single father buy stylish clothes for his children. How can the church minister to single people? Married people? Parents?
- Race, ethnicity – If they are African American, Haitian, Italian, German, Russian, Arab, Chinese, or Hispanic, how can we minister to them? Can we not take an interest in someone’s ethnic festivals or traditions? Can we try to learn
their language? Are we sensitive to the racial discrimination others might face? How do we show that we understand?
- Physical attributes, disabilities, diseases - How can we minister to them if they are tall, short, thin, obese, needing a walker, needing a wheelchair, bedridden, dealing with a terminal disease, blind, deaf, or suffering from dementia?
- Relationships – How can we minister to people as they try to navigate the complexities of living
as a parent, sibling, significant other, spouse, child, neighbor, employee, co-worker, relative, and friend? How can we help bring the gospel into their relationship challenges?
- Social standing, class, economic status – How can we minister the gospel to the wealthy? The middle class? The working class? The poor? How can we minister the gospel to people who have all the money they need? How can we minister the gospel to those who have no money
whatsoever?
- Occupation – How can we share the gospel with those in the medical field? How can we share the gospel with teachers? How can we share the gospel with those who own businesses? How can we share the gospel with janitors and grave diggers?
- Gifts, skills, talents – How can we bring the gospel to artists? Musicians? Writers? Graphic designers? Organizers? Administrators? Entrepreneurs? Geeks? Singers? Actors and
actresses?
- Education, experience – How can we touch the lives of those with doctorates? Master’s degrees? Bachelor’s degrees? High school diplomas? GEDs? How can we touch the lives of those who never finished high school? How can we share the gospel with those who are new to the workforce and those who are set to retire?
- Freedom, independence – How can we share the gospel with those who are incarcerated? With those who are political prisoners?
With those who are enslaved by traffickers? With those who are refugees? With those who love their freedom and with those who do not appreciate it?
- Residence, neighborhood, community – How do we minister to those who live in a mansion? A single home? A duplex? A condominium? A rowhome? How do we share the gospel with those who live in their car or under an overpass? How do we minister to homeowners and how do we minister to renters?
- We embrace
people’s interests. What are their hobbies? Why do they like those hobbies? How skilled are they at their hobbies? How can we take an interest in their hobbies, so we have a reason to spend time with them? We ask them for their opinion about various topics. We get them engaged so they reveal their thoughts and feelings. What do they think about current events? Provided we don’t judge them for their beliefs, or debate with them, engaging them in conversation about their beliefs provides
an opportunity to share the gospel with them.
A believer who takes an interest in someone’s circumstances and interests steps into their world. Trust builds and that trust opens the door to conversations about the gospel of Jesus Christ. How can we take an interest in other people’s lives when we are so self-centered? Father, it is the natural state of man to look after his own interests. People are naturally self-centered, with each person driven to satisfy their desires, often at the expense of
others. It is unnatural for us to take an interest in other people’s circumstances and interests for the sake of sharing the gospel. How do we overcome this? Self-discipline. We have to intentionally strike blows against our selfishness. We have to intentionally train ourselves to put others first. It will not be easy. In fact,
it will take the kind of effort an athlete makes to win the championship or gold medal. We must force ourselves to stop being enslaved by our own circumstances and interests, which prevent us from caring for the circumstances and interests of others. Our goal must be to become the best at connecting with people for the sake of seeing the gospel transform them. Amen. |
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