We were so blessed by Dr Sam Chan training us to be everyday missionaries. Here are his 6 tips to reach your friends with the good news of Jesus.
1. MERGE OUR UNIVERSES
Get our friends to become their friends. Community is one of the most powerful plausibility structures that makes the gospel believable. We normally go solo in evangelism, but we need to do it together.
2. GO TO THEIR THINGS BEFORE THEY COME TO OUR THINGS
This one speaks for itself!
3. COFFEE –> DINNER –> GOSPEL
There are three layers of conversation: interests, values, then worldview. Take small baby steps towards talking about Jesus. Start with coffee and interests. Then move to dinner, where you talk about deeper things such as values and worldview.
We need to find creative ways to do hospitality. It’s everywhere in the Bible, and food creates space for conversation.
4. LISTEN TO THEIR STORY
Get them talking as much as possible. Treat them as the most interesting person ever. Ask questions to go deeper: ‘How’s that going? Tell me more… How do you feel about that?’ Make them feel like you hear them, you understand them, like you feel what they feel.
5. SHARE YOUR STORY
Your story is not biographical information about your life. We need to tell our stories as a story that follows a narrative arc (eg Creation, Fall, Redemption, Restoration).
6. LEARN TO TALK ABOUT JESUS AS A REAL PERSON
Not theological facts. Tell stories about the life and person of Jesus. Jesus gives life, freedom, and joy. We need to work out how to communicate this in fresh ways.
Do you want to take a next step in reaching your friends? Why not invite them to our 3-week Introducing Jesus course starting 1 April 2019 at The Hive Bar in Erskineville. We’re shouting a free drink to everyone who comes on Week 1.