Re-Imagining Evangelism Book Discussion
Chapter 2
Rediscovering the Holy Spirit
God is already at work in our friends' lives... it's our role to be on the lookout for what God may be doing and collaborate with God for the good of our friends' spiritual growth. My friend in San Diego, Rev. Matt Hammett, used to tell me (paraphrased): "Matt, it's not the surfer's job to create the wave-they just need to watch for where the waves are breaking, paddle out, and ride the wave that has already been created. In the same way, it's not a Christian's calling to create something out of nothing for our friends (which can often mean forcing or manipulating), but rather to see where they are already curious, open, showing growth--and engaging them in those areas."
Richardson notes three primary skills that help us collaborate with God's work of renewal in our friends' lives: (1) listen to the whispers and nudges of the Holy Spirit, (2) ask great questions, (3) collaborate with God in prayer for our friends and with our friends.
After reading this chapter, I was at Dolores Park leading a morning prayer gathering when I noticed a woman nearby watching us. I wanted to ignore her and go about my business, but there was some small tug to go speak with her. I too often ignore this feeling. But what if it was a whisper, a nudge, from God who is already at work in her life? Determined to put the book into action, I excused myself from the group, walked over to the woman and introduced myself, simply letting her know we're a group from City Church, praying for the city in case she was wondering. She said, "That's interesting... I haven't prayed for a long time. I grew up as a Christian in the Midwest, but haven't been to church in ages. And just before you came up to introduce yourself, I started praying out of the blue, for some reason." By responding to that small tug, I reached out to her at the exact moment something had been already stirring in her heart, just because I decided to listen to a prompting I would have otherwise ignored! What if we treat each of those small tugs as an invitation from God?
Another skill, asking great questions, is essential to being a good friend, moving conversations and relationships to deeper levels, and investigating where God may already be at work in our friends' lives. Richardson lists some great conversation deepening questions on p. 42. For those without the book, here are some examples:
- Do you have any religious background, and what does it mean to you today?
- Have you ever had an experience of feeling close to God, or any sort of spiritual experience? What was that like?
- Do you think there's a God? What do you think God is like?
- When have you experienced turning points or crises in your life?
- Where do you seek perspective to help with your inner questions, doubts and struggles?
Questions like these open up conversations, deepen friendships, and uncover areas where God is at work in the people around us. We can then authentically share our own experiences, thoughts, failures, and hope in ways that commend the gospel to our friends in the places they are most seeking and open.
It's your turn: Please comment on the second chapter! And if you haven't already, order the book! Check back next week as we discuss Chapter 3: The Witness of the Community.
About the weekly book discussion on the Sharing Faith Blog
Read this thoughtful, impactful book (paperback or Kindle) --1 chapter a week-- and share your thoughts here. Of course, if you don't read the book, you can still add to others' thoughts... but isn't it more fun and stretching to actually do the growth work?! Join the conversation.