If The Door is Open, Come On In.

Someone you know might substantiate their claim of a stake in Heaven with phrases like “I’m a good person,” or “Sure I believe there is a God,” or “I used to go to church all the time, growing up.”   Others might feel, having grown up in the western hemisphere that they are Christian simply because they do not identify with the Buddhist, Hindu, Jew or Muslim, which are typically identified as eastern or middle-eastern religions.  These are wonderful conversation starters.  Every one of these positions indicate that you are talking to a person who’s belief system has little foundation and who is more likely than some to be open to talking about God.

I Peter 3:15 says in part, to have your answer ready when you are asked the reason for the hope you have.  So, where do we begin in preparation for the next time one of these ideas comes up in conversation?  Have you ever had a delicate conversation or perhaps a heated discussion with someone, and a minute after they are out of earshot you think of exactly the thing you should have said?  If only you had anticipated the flow of the conversation, you’d have closed the argument.  Preparation begins with anticipating and to some degree directing the discussion.  Take some of your meditation time to play out the various scenarios in your mind.  Take some time to develop that humble, one line zinger that causes a person to reflect on their relationship to God.   Don’t neglect the “humble” part.  Your goal is not to “win” the argument or close the discussion, but to open a sincere dialog.

Not every conversation about our Spiritual reality will be the same.  Depending on a person’s level of exposure to the Gospel they may be up for a discussion about baptism by immersion; or maybe they only hear the word “Jesus” in songs at Christmas time.   As a missionary, you will have to take people from where they are and move them toward the Cross.  Recall in Acts 8, that Phillip came upon a fellow who was reading from the book of Isaiah.  The story makes a clear point that Phillip began with that very passage and before the ride ended, the Ethiopian had his eye on some water in which he could be baptized.  Another example might be that it is best to allow someone to discover their own sinful tendencies, rather than pointing them out.  Then again, a shock and awe approach might work on some.

Before you think yourself out of this idea, be aware that you certainly do have enough information to have a conversation about God with this person.  What did you know before you were taught to believe, repent and be baptized?  What was the piece of information you gleaned that caused you to believe, repent and be baptized?  That’s the key.  If you don’t recall a compelling book, chapter and verse from the Bible, teach from your own conversion experience to begin, and then introduce them to the church.  Introduce them to the friendly, forgiving, truth-seeking, loving, humble and caring family of God.

Don’t let a beautiful opportunity slip away.  Keep your list handy and keep praying for the harvest.