Connecting the Next Generation with the Gospel: Part 2

Where do I even begin?

I still find myself asking this question after having spiritual conversations with many people over the last 7 years.  

So let's start with something simple.  Do you like listening to stories?  I don't know of anyone who does not enjoy a good story. Consider thinking through, and maybe even putting down on paper, your own story of how God changed your life.  If you are a follower of Christ, you have a story to tell...God did a marvelous work and changed your heart.  Know your story so well that you can tell it in 1 minute, 5 minutes or throughout a conversation that lasts 1 hour.  

Engaging people in spiritual conversations is not easy; we believe the person we are talking with may think we are weird, or maybe you fear rejection, or even more I have felt that it could jeopardize my relationship with them.  Any of these could be a reality.  But what if you pray and ask the Lord to grant you opportunities to share your story, and ask Him to fill your heart with faith so that it depends on Him working in someone's heart and not us. (Romans 10:14 & 17) "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed?  And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?  And how are they to hear without someone preaching?So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."

Connecting: this is essential in talking with people about Jesus.  Let's say you've known your friend for 6 months.  You see each other every so often, but don't necessarily know a lot about each other yet.  If you sit down to a meal with them and start the conversation by saying, "Did you know that Jesus Christ died for your sins and He is your only hope in this world?"  That might not connect so well with them.  Instead, try find common areas of interest; maybe you have similar family backgrounds, or maybe you enjoy playing the same sports or musical instruments.  I often find that when i begin to connect with someone, they tend to trust me more and want to listen to what i have to say.  I plainly admit that i don't have all the answers and that i'm often intimidated to the point of not wanting to engage people in spiritual conversations at all.  So let me close with the words of Jesus in regards to sharing our faith.  Matthew 10:32-33 "So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, i also will deny before my Father who is in heaven."  

May God grant each of you strength of heart to proclaim His wonderful name,

Joshua