Christians generally think that evangelism is a bit like a sporting event, and we are on offense, trying to get past the defenses of others whose “eyes have been blinded by Satan.”<\/p>\n
But I have found that when we go on\u00a0offense, we often become offensive.\u00a0The problem is not with their defense, but with all the fouls and penalties we commit.<\/p>\n
For example,\u00a0we generally “go for the jugular” by trying to immediately point out the errors and contradictions in the worldview and religious beliefs of others. We give them a Bible, a tract, or some piece of Christian literature, and ask them to read it. We think\u00a0they will be so persuaded by the weight and logic of our arguments that they cannot help but\u00a0believe in Jesus for eternal life.\u00a0And when they aren’t, we say, “Well, you can’t win them all” and move on to our next “target” (aka victim).<\/p>\n
I used to operate this way, but am finding\u00a0that the exact opposite approach is often more effective in opening up serious dialogue.\u00a0 I am not talking about “removing the offense of the cross” but getting rid of the offensive ways we present and share such truths with others. We need a different approach.<\/p>\n
Removing the Offense Rather than give them my literature, I ask to read theirs. It is amazing how many good ideas and good teachings are found in the books of other religions. When I come across such things, I let my friend know, and praise their literature.<\/p>\n Rather than tell them my views, I ask them to teach me theirs. Rather then explain to them my “plan of salvation” I ask about theirs. I even ask them to critique Christianity, and\u00a0point out our hypocrisies, our errors, and the holes in our worldview. The bottom line is that I come to them as a student rather than a teacher.<\/p>\n To Be Winsome, You Have to Lose Some<\/strong> If they raise an objection, then the conversation begins. If they say, “That’s nice” and go on to talk about the New York Giants, I won’t try to press it. Of course, if they say, “That’s ridiculous!” rather than jump on them and their beliefs, I will go go back to being a student: “Yeah, I know it sounds\u00a0crazy. Why do you think\u00a0this is?” To be winsome, I\u00a0don’t need to win every battle.<\/p>\n Go Slow<\/strong> Christians generally think that evangelism is a bit like a sporting event, and we are on offense, trying to get past the defenses of others whose “eyes have been blinded by Satan.” But I have found that when we go on\u00a0offense, we often become offensive.\u00a0The problem is not with their defense, but with all the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[19],"class_list":{"0":"post-580","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"tag-discipleship","7":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\n
\n<\/strong>Rather than try to get my views and beliefs as the topics of discussion, I\u00a0show genuine interest in the other person and in what they believe.\u00a0This is not a gimmick! I truly want to know what they believe and why. I do not do this so I can “discover the holes” in their ideas, but so that I can truly get to know them.<\/p>\n
\nEventually, the person ask the question, “What do you believe?” If and when that happens, I don’t dump the whole truck on them, but try to do what Jesus did. I will often lay out a teaser statement just to see if they\u00a0really want to know what I believe, or if they are just trying to be courteous. For example, if they ask what I believe about how people get eternal life, I might say, “I believe anybody and everybody can receive eternal life, no matter what.”<\/p>\n
\nThese conversations never happen all at once over coffee at my kitchen table. Instead, they happen over days, weeks, and months as we live life and develop friendships together. So take your time. Be a friend. Enjoy the ride.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"