Part 2: Stuck in a Rut

There is a road that truth can travel on: the road of relationships.  When we build a relationship with someone we build a road that the truth of the gospel can traverse.  Without the road, it is very difficult for us to share the gospel with someone.  Last week we talked about the two ditches on each side of that road.

The ditch that most of us slide into is the ditch of building a good, smooth road, but never unleashing the gospel of Jesus Christ onto that road.  So how can we avoid that trap? Here are a few principles:

1) Bring Jesus into the relationship early.  That doesn’t mean that you have to challenge your new friend with a “decision opportunity” in the first 10 minutes of your relationship.  What it does mean is that you mention the single most important thing in your life, your relationship with Jesus, casually and winsomely early on in the relationship.  Your new friend might or might not say anything, but they will know that Jesus is part of who you are.

2) Turn the conversation to spiritual things.  The easiest way to do that is with questions.  A famous person dies.  You ask “Do you ever think about what happens when you die?”  Or maybe it’s as simple as bringing up your Community Group when they ask what you did last night.  Sharing an insight from your quiet time might be a good way to spark some conversation.  Remember, you don’t have to force it: just let the things you are already doing be part of the relationship.

3) Be prepared to give an answer.  My friend calls it a gospel layup.  “Why do you carry food to give the homeless?” “Why are you helping me rake my yard?”  “What is your deal? You aren’t like everyone else?”  These are opportunities for the gospel layup.  Take a cue from Nehemiah: say a quick prayer and then answer honestly and boldly.  Not about yourself, but about Jesus and what he has done for you that compels you to act the way you do.

Next week: It’s out there … now what?

by Michael Smith

Community Pastor

Fellowship Bible Church of NW Arkansas

mismith@fellowhsipnwa.org

Part 1: Two Ditches

For years we have had a saying in our ministry:

“Truth travels the road of relationships.”

What do we mean when we say that?  We mean that when we build a bridge with someone in the form of a relationship, it opens up the opportunity for them to hear truth from us.  And in this case, when we say truth, we are talking about the John 14:6 Truth who goes by the name of Jesus.  A relationship with someone is our best opportunity for them to welcome the gospel.

But, like with most roads, this road has two ditches.  The ditch on one side is trying to travel the road before it’s finished.  When we live in this ditch, those we meet feel like projects rather than people.  When someone senses that you have an agenda, that you only asked them a question about themselves so you could get to your canned spiel, the road crumbles.  They aren’t open to hear what you have to share.  There was not really a road in place for the Truth to travel.

The second ditch is the one most of us get stuck in.  The road is there, it’s ready, and it’s strong, but we can’t seem to get around to the Truth. 

“I am waiting for just the right moment to talk about Jesus,” we tell ourselves. 

But the fact is that we have had 8 months of moments come and go with our friend and none of them seemed “just right.”  And to make things worse, now we feel like if we bring up Jesus at this point, they are going to say, “Wait a minute, this is the most important thing in your life and you’ve never mentioned it for 8 months?  What the heck?”  But they might not say heck.

Tomorrow we will feature another great post from Jonathan Dodson from Gospel Centered Discipleship about how valuing the relationship above all else is actually a barrier to sharing our faith. 

Next Monday we will look at how we can avoid the second ditch of building a road for Truth that Truth never travels on.

by Michael Smith

Community Pastor

Fellowship Bible Church of NW Arkansas

mismith@fellowhsipnwa.org