Talk About Jesus Without Sounding Like A Nut!
A lot of people dismiss Christians as religious nuts, and for good reason—some of us are! A "nut" is someone who will argue with you about a subject in which you have no interest in a language you can't understand.
On the other hand, those same people often have deep and profound questions. The men you will pass on the road, sit next to at lunch, and do your deals with today wrestle with profound spiritual questions. The question is, of course, how can we give orthodox Christian answers to those questions without sounding nutty?
How can we talk about Jesus without sounding like a nut? Try these steps…
RAPPORT
In John 4, Jesus was resting in Samaria near Jacob's well at midday. A sinful woman came to draw water-her shame so great she didn't dare come with the other women during the cooler hours of the day. She came for water, so Jesus talked to her about water, living water.
Remember that people are trying to solve their problems, not ours. So give people what they need, but do it in the context of what they want. For example, a man and his live-in girlfriend moved next door to us. About a month later he was despondent over his lack of work. He said he loved sports management. I told him I knew Pat Williams, then general manager of the Orlando Magic, and I would be happy to approach Pat.
He wanted to talk about work, so we talked about work. He didn't get the job, but because I was interested we built a friendship, and he did eventually give his life to Jesus Christ. (He also married his friend!)
To talk about Jesus without sounding like a nut, be sure to establish rapport. Talk to people in terms of their own interests. Then, when you've built rapport, show them how Christ solves the problems they face.
RELEVANCE
In Acts, Peter boldly addresses his fellow Jews—the "religious" people—with a strong warning, a stern rebuke, and a straightforward challenge, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven" (Acts 2:38, 40). In other words, he spoke in a language they could understand. He was relevant. Paul, on the other hand, was in Athens when he saw an altar with an inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So Paul said, "Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you" (Acts 17:23). He was relevant, and they listened.
To not sound like a nut you must be relevant. As someone said, theology is best done with a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other.
RECOMMEND
Paul told the Corinthians, "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2). That's bold! Why would he park on that thought? Because Jesus had said, "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth (indicating the kind of death) will draw all men to myself" (Luke 12:32). Paul understood that if he would stick to recommending Christ, that God would do the rest. Don't argue religion, but do recommend Jesus Christ.
Business leader, author, and speaker, Patrick Morley helps men to think more deeply about their lives, to be reconciled with Christ, and to be equipped for a larger impact on the world. Visit his Web site, http://www.maninthemirror.org/
On the other hand, those same people often have deep and profound questions. The men you will pass on the road, sit next to at lunch, and do your deals with today wrestle with profound spiritual questions. The question is, of course, how can we give orthodox Christian answers to those questions without sounding nutty?
How can we talk about Jesus without sounding like a nut? Try these steps…
RAPPORT
In John 4, Jesus was resting in Samaria near Jacob's well at midday. A sinful woman came to draw water-her shame so great she didn't dare come with the other women during the cooler hours of the day. She came for water, so Jesus talked to her about water, living water.
Remember that people are trying to solve their problems, not ours. So give people what they need, but do it in the context of what they want. For example, a man and his live-in girlfriend moved next door to us. About a month later he was despondent over his lack of work. He said he loved sports management. I told him I knew Pat Williams, then general manager of the Orlando Magic, and I would be happy to approach Pat.
He wanted to talk about work, so we talked about work. He didn't get the job, but because I was interested we built a friendship, and he did eventually give his life to Jesus Christ. (He also married his friend!)
To talk about Jesus without sounding like a nut, be sure to establish rapport. Talk to people in terms of their own interests. Then, when you've built rapport, show them how Christ solves the problems they face.
RELEVANCE
In Acts, Peter boldly addresses his fellow Jews—the "religious" people—with a strong warning, a stern rebuke, and a straightforward challenge, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven" (Acts 2:38, 40). In other words, he spoke in a language they could understand. He was relevant. Paul, on the other hand, was in Athens when he saw an altar with an inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So Paul said, "Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you" (Acts 17:23). He was relevant, and they listened.
To not sound like a nut you must be relevant. As someone said, theology is best done with a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other.
RECOMMEND
Paul told the Corinthians, "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2). That's bold! Why would he park on that thought? Because Jesus had said, "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth (indicating the kind of death) will draw all men to myself" (Luke 12:32). Paul understood that if he would stick to recommending Christ, that God would do the rest. Don't argue religion, but do recommend Jesus Christ.
Business leader, author, and speaker, Patrick Morley helps men to think more deeply about their lives, to be reconciled with Christ, and to be equipped for a larger impact on the world. Visit his Web site, http://www.maninthemirror.org/
posted by Drew Dyck at 3:31 PM
2 Comments:
Thank you for this article. I believe this approach to be helpful. However, how do we reach the young people who seem to be bounded by spiritual darkness? If you have only one chance to share - How is that best accomplished? John the Baptist was certainly "sounding like a nut" to many around him. Is there always time to build a relationship - the hour is late.
In Christ,
John
There's an old saying that says "people don't care what you know, until they know that you care."
In most cases, relational evangelism goes farther than confrontational evangelism.
With a relational approach, the same as what Jesus used (He is our ultimate example), you have a better opportunity of making more than converts ... you have the opportunity to make disciples (& friends)!
If you really want to reach young people, then do like Jesus ... Jesus came into our world and spoke in words that related to everyday life (parables) and He was a servant leader. Therefore, we need to enter their world, talk to them in a way they can understand, and find ways to serve and love them. We need to be real, relevant and relational.
Applying this to your "one chance to share" scenario, enter into their world, connect with them (perhaps through serving them) and find a meaningful way to share the Gospel.
There's so many wonderful ways to accomplish this ... 4 Spiritual Laws, The Wordless Book (also works with necklaces, soccer balls, pins, etc.), Evangecubes, John 3 Plan, One Verse Evangelism, The Bridge to Life, FAITH, Romans Road, Evangelism Explosion ... or simply share your testimony, of what God is doing in your life RIGHT NOW! (if a testimony is not current, then it's only history)
I know I don't have all the answers, but I truly pray that this helps!
God bless!
David
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