As I prepare for our Talk on Sunday (where we will examine the question- Why do we teach the bible?")- I have been pondering on, for the past 3 mornings, Matthew 28:19-20. We are told that our life calling is to "make disciples". So often i've heard that "go" is the operative command here, but that just doesn't seem to jive with every thing else. Go, baptize, teach- they all seem to modify "Make disciples".
There could be weeks and weeks of teaching and dialogue here, but the pressing question that keeps coming to my mind is- How do we "share" the gospel in the complex culture in which we live. We all know that we must build relationships, seek peace and grace into the lives of others- but our words, our conversations at some point have to point to Christ (at least that seems to be the biblical paradigm). So how do we do this? How do we share Christ without- "Forcing our beliefs on others"? How do we do this and still see living the reality of Jesus Kingdom Life and seeking the other person's highest good our goal? (rather than getting them to "say a prayer" or "make a decision")
Ed Stetzer, one of the premier Missiologist of our day wrote an article giving some good ice-breaker info: http://theresurgence.com/es_blog_2007-03-27_beginning_a_conversation_about_christ
If you have thoughts- let's converse here.
peace and grace
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Couldnt we just be ourselves? I mean my mom whom does not attend church or read the bible but believes in god and his word(s), listens to me about what has gone on with our church and the blessings that we have recieved from god, and she is very excited to come to our church and visit, as is my best friend mandy. So I believe if they were here they would be. I odnt think in all cases people beileve the bible is boring or church is boring(as my mom does), but if presented in the right way for them, subtle and showing proof subtly, you can win many people. Everyone is different there fore everyone needs to be approched differently, or not approched at all, just show (subtly). By just telling your stories an haveing the open dialogue wouldnt that be living authentically and living the reality Jesus Kingdom Life and seeking the other person's highest good our goal? (rather than getting them to "say a prayer" or "make a decision")? I odnt have the answer but I think this may be part of it.
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