Dare 2 Share

Greg Stier points out that every conversation has what he calls a “fork in the road.” These are natural points within a conversation that can be used to bring God up.

One of our students who attended the Dare 2 Share conference returned to work with a mission. Her boss is a Muslim and had asked questions about her Christianity in the past. She took a deep breath, saw the opportunity, and started challenging him to consider the claims of Christ. She tried to answer his questions, even coming to me for research material, and continues to this day a dialogue with this man. God gave her the opportunity and she took it. Now that’s what I call bold!

B. Pursuing must be done with the right Spirit.

Notice how Philip approached the official. He came alongside the chariot and listened. O that we would understand this! As we develop relationships with not-yet-believers, it is vitally important that we come alongside their lives. It’s okay to knock on doors every once in a while but evangelism works best in relationship. They are not our ”gospel projects,” they are our friends. We must listen to them, be humble, and answer their questions not to win a prize but because we really do care about them.

Action Step

As you pray for the next 30 day, will you

- pray for the boldness to pursue a relationship with one non-Christian.

- pray for opportunities to “bring God up.”

- pray for opportunities to keep the conversation going.

3. Persuade!

1. Persuading is possible!

At the beginning of our service, we met eleven new members. Every one of them at some point was persuaded that Jesus was the only way to God. God used Aaron Teaford and others to persuade this arrogant atheist that God had a purpose and plan for his life.

An ex-slave-trader who was also an alcoholic before he was persuaded of the truth of the Gospel, expressed the truth that God changes minds and lives in powerful ways:

“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.” (John Newton)

Jesus still changes lives. God saves. It is His job. But, he gives us the honor of sharing the good news that God saves. Don’t give up on that person you have been praying for and sharing with. God is at work.

2. It’s hard to persuade when you don’t know how.

This brings us back to our beginning proposition that many people want to share their faith but just don’t know how to do it.

Peter writes:

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect...” (I Peter 3:15)

I love the words gentleness and respect. Recently I learned how orange growers know whether their fruit is ready to pick. They call it a “gentle tug.” If the orange is ready, a gentle tug will cause it to fall effortlessly into the farmers hands. If the gentle tug doesn’t work, the farmer doesn’t pull harder, he just waits a few more days and tries again.

And Paul tells us that it is the Word that brings salvation: