"Give me an hour with an unbeliever and I will listen for the first 55 minutes and then in the last five minutes I will have something to say.” -Francis Schaeffer
Ask Questions
One of the most effective ways to know our “target audience” was to ask them questions…something that we really aren’t good at in the West. Instead, Christians assume a defensive posture, making conversations doctrinal battles or apologetic arguments. Ethnographic research forces us to take a more humble path, the path of learning from those we hope “to reach.”
By asking questions from concern and genuine interest, we will travel much further and faster in our relationships. But first, we have to be convinced that we have something to learn from others, especially from those who don’t believe as we do. Our biblical anthropology–all men are created in God’s image–should convince us of that, but only the Spirit of God can convict us of subtle self-righteousness in viewing non-Christians as projects to complete, not persons to love.
Be Like Jesus
Jesus, of course, is the ultimate example. At the well, in the garden, in the temple, he constantly asked questions from love and for life. Through attentive conversation and questions, Jesus lovingly related to others, eventually leading many into new, restored living.
Jesus-like church planters and disciples will ask lots of questions and listen to the answers. Listen to the lost and you will learn. Love the lost with that understanding, and often you will see life.
No comments:
Post a Comment