Classroom: Intro to Outreach 01-31-07
Intro to Outreach 01-31-07
We’re not going out to preach, be weird, make converts, or any typical thing like that. We’ll be going out to look, listen, and authentically care about people with Jesus’ eyes and Jesus’ ears. We’re going to do different things. Sometimes we’ll just take a guitar out and sing some songs in Arabic – you’ll be surprised how many people will come out. The next thing you know you’ll be talking to people from different places and relating with them, getting to know them. You’ll find things in common – look for those things, be open to those things, and be authentic, real. Listening is an important part of a relationship.
Ask questions that get people to talk about themselves, about their family. Examples: Do you have a family? What are you doing here in Cyprus? How did you come here? What do you like about Cyprus? What don’t you like? Normal, non-threatening conversation – avoid blunt statements such as “you need to repent!” – you need to care about people. Examine your own heart. Do you really care about this person? If not, maybe you should talk to somebody else. It’s okay. There’s no pressure. God really cares about people, and we’re just trying to join Him in that and allow Him to care about people through us.
Yes, honestly they do need to repent, but that’s no way to approach them about it. We need to do it with humility, not pride. Pride has no place in inviting people to Jesus. We’re all pilgrims on a journey. Develop an attitude of togetherness – we’re together in this, all of us, all of human kind. It’s a mess, but we’re all suffering in this mess. Take down that wall of “I’m better than you are”. Take down that attitude of “I’m right” – It’s not the spirit of God to say “I’m right”. All the arguments in the world have been started by two people saying “I’m right and the other person is wrong” – God is not asking us to be right. You don’t have to have your doctrine right to please God. You have to have your heart right to please God, thanks to Jesus. So you may get into disputes with Mormons, Muslims – and I hate to say it but Christians are some of the biggest arguers out there. So let’s be honest, Christians can argue amongst themselves with anyone, and each other, about the littlest things. If you find that happening – think to yourself, “Okay, now, how do I get out of this?”
Our God is a God of peace. We go for reconciliation and peace, not war. So we want to be at peace with this person even if we don’t agree with them. When you realize you’re getting into a heated dispute, bring peace into it by finding common ground. Find common ground by finding something you can agree on. Be inviting – if you can’t agree, invite them to a meeting to talk about things more. Ultimately it’s not up to us, we’re only there to offer ourselves to God. If we’re not helping, we’re a hindrance.
Primarily, men should talk with men and women should talk with women. If you find yourself talking to a person of the opposite sex, quickly steer them to a woman in the group. Don’t let them get the wrong idea.
Can you turn someone of the opposite sex over to another group member and then still remain in the discussion?
Yes. Absolutely. Group dynamics are a lot different, and having more than one person in the group changes the entire situation, so if you add another person to the discussion then the focus isn’t just on you.
In general when talking to a Muslim, do not do anything to offend Mohammad or the Koran, do not put your Bible on the ground (blasphemy), do not get into discussions on “what do you think of Mohammad” or “what do you think of the Koran”? In first conversations with a Muslim – stay away from conversations about the Trinity. Avoid that concept and word because Muslims have a very different idea of what that means than we do. Talk about Jesus, not George Bush. Weave scripture into your story/conversation. Nobody can argue with your story. Like the blind man going in front of the Pharisees… nobody can argue with your experiences (John 9:25).
Don’t feel any pressure. You don’t have a quota to meet… you’re “just going fishing.” And when you go fishing, you just throw your line out there and see who bites.
We’re not going out to preach, be weird, make converts, or any typical thing like that. We’ll be going out to look, listen, and authentically care about people with Jesus’ eyes and Jesus’ ears. We’re going to do different things. Sometimes we’ll just take a guitar out and sing some songs in Arabic – you’ll be surprised how many people will come out. The next thing you know you’ll be talking to people from different places and relating with them, getting to know them. You’ll find things in common – look for those things, be open to those things, and be authentic, real. Listening is an important part of a relationship.
Ask questions that get people to talk about themselves, about their family. Examples: Do you have a family? What are you doing here in Cyprus? How did you come here? What do you like about Cyprus? What don’t you like? Normal, non-threatening conversation – avoid blunt statements such as “you need to repent!” – you need to care about people. Examine your own heart. Do you really care about this person? If not, maybe you should talk to somebody else. It’s okay. There’s no pressure. God really cares about people, and we’re just trying to join Him in that and allow Him to care about people through us.
Yes, honestly they do need to repent, but that’s no way to approach them about it. We need to do it with humility, not pride. Pride has no place in inviting people to Jesus. We’re all pilgrims on a journey. Develop an attitude of togetherness – we’re together in this, all of us, all of human kind. It’s a mess, but we’re all suffering in this mess. Take down that wall of “I’m better than you are”. Take down that attitude of “I’m right” – It’s not the spirit of God to say “I’m right”. All the arguments in the world have been started by two people saying “I’m right and the other person is wrong” – God is not asking us to be right. You don’t have to have your doctrine right to please God. You have to have your heart right to please God, thanks to Jesus. So you may get into disputes with Mormons, Muslims – and I hate to say it but Christians are some of the biggest arguers out there. So let’s be honest, Christians can argue amongst themselves with anyone, and each other, about the littlest things. If you find that happening – think to yourself, “Okay, now, how do I get out of this?”
Our God is a God of peace. We go for reconciliation and peace, not war. So we want to be at peace with this person even if we don’t agree with them. When you realize you’re getting into a heated dispute, bring peace into it by finding common ground. Find common ground by finding something you can agree on. Be inviting – if you can’t agree, invite them to a meeting to talk about things more. Ultimately it’s not up to us, we’re only there to offer ourselves to God. If we’re not helping, we’re a hindrance.
Primarily, men should talk with men and women should talk with women. If you find yourself talking to a person of the opposite sex, quickly steer them to a woman in the group. Don’t let them get the wrong idea.
Can you turn someone of the opposite sex over to another group member and then still remain in the discussion?
Yes. Absolutely. Group dynamics are a lot different, and having more than one person in the group changes the entire situation, so if you add another person to the discussion then the focus isn’t just on you.
In general when talking to a Muslim, do not do anything to offend Mohammad or the Koran, do not put your Bible on the ground (blasphemy), do not get into discussions on “what do you think of Mohammad” or “what do you think of the Koran”? In first conversations with a Muslim – stay away from conversations about the Trinity. Avoid that concept and word because Muslims have a very different idea of what that means than we do. Talk about Jesus, not George Bush. Weave scripture into your story/conversation. Nobody can argue with your story. Like the blind man going in front of the Pharisees… nobody can argue with your experiences (John 9:25).
Don’t feel any pressure. You don’t have a quota to meet… you’re “just going fishing.” And when you go fishing, you just throw your line out there and see who bites.
posted by CarbonChris at 7:00 AM
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