ListenDaily – 09 November 2010: “No one ever converted to Christianity because they lost the argument.”
Hello friends,
You know, it’s a very important thing, that we share Jesus with others; Jesus commanded that we do so. (He also commanded that we disciple them, but that’s for another time). And yet, I don’t think the church does a very good job of it, and I don’t think the church does a great job of teaching people to do it. (When I say “the church” I am referring to the worldwide church, not a particular local church or denomination.) Further, I think many of the “evangelism programs”, well meaning though they be, do more harm than good. Author Philip Yancey once said “No one ever converted to Christianity because they lost the argument.”
All that being said, let’s take a look at how Jesus shared himself with a non-believer.
One way to tell someone about Jesus – the way Jesus did (from John 4:1-26)
We must remember a few things:
Jesus, being the Son of God, had a clearer discernment than we have
That being said, the same Holy Spirit that provided for Jesus, provides for us
Jesus did not doubt who He was
Not all people will respond as this woman did
Still—I think there is much to learn about sharing Christ by studying how Christ did it.
Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) John 4:1-8
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The first notable thing that jumps out to me is the ‘when and where’ Jesus evangelized to this woman. He took the opportunity when and where He was.
“So he came to a town in Samaria...Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.”
In Samaria, by the well, at noon.
He did not avoid Samaria as was the Jewish practice, He simply stopped along the way.
He sat down by the well. A gathering place, a meeting place. A coffee shop? Wal Mart? The mall?
He was there at noon. He was there when others were likely to come.
“When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” “
He spoke—He was kind.
The very act of a man, especially a Jewish man, speaking to a Samaritan woman, was an act of kindness.
He spoke—period.
How else to begin a conversation about Jesus, than to begin a conversation.
He spoke—and spoke neutral words.
No accusatory questions to open the dialogue. No damnation. No holier-than-thou (though He was the one guy that was!). He wasn’t pushy.
He waited for her response.
Friends, Jesus has commanded you and I to go, spread the Good News. Have you ever told anyone, any non-believer, about Jesus? I do not believe in formulas, but this is one way, and Jesus ought to be a pretty good example.
We know that Jesus stayed in contact with the Father, and we should do all we do as people of prayer.
Go where you usually go.
Stop where it makes sense to stop.
Go to a place when and where someone will likely be there.
Be kind.
Talk to someone, continuing to be kind. Don’t be pushy. Wait for their response, just to this.
More tomorrow!
Questions:
1. Where is our Samaria? Why do we avoid it?
2. Have you ever introduced someone to Christ?
3. Are you willing to try?
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May we hear Jesus calling us out to the world. Jim
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
“No one ever converted to Christianity because they lost the argument.” Philip Yancey
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