Watch for ways to find common ground
Paul was with people Physically. Some Christians never interact with non-Christians. Paul started where they were at people feel loved when they feel understood.
They feel understood when feel heard.
They feel heard when we listen.
- Ask for their story first
- Wait a few beats
- Paraphrase
- Ask clarifying questions
I cannot think of a time that I offended someone when I listened well first. Unfortunately, we do not always get time to listen. They see us from a distance.
Illuminate wrong views of God
Paul gently exposed the errant views the Athenians had God is knowable. Do you believe question.
- God
- Devil
- Jesus
- Heaven
- Hell
- Ask qualifying questions
You do not have to be brilliant of tricky. Just use your curiosity to communicate your love for them. Everyone likes to share how they see the world to someone who is not judging them. Be Judgmental and see the claws come out.
Nurture the part of every person who wants to know God
Know that the desire is there so nurture it. How are you live shows an example?
Study the tactics of the world
Paul spoke specifically to the concerns of the Athenians. Paul obviously was doing a good job of listening and learning. Too often we think we know what they think.
Make clear that everyone is responsible for their own Choice
Acts 17:30 (NLT) 30 “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him.
The truth can be harsh, but all the hard work of building and maintaining a relation is worthless if at the end we don’t tell the truth.
Offer the truth of the gospel
Paul, Jesus, Jeremiah all invested time in presenting God to people who scoffed at it.It does no good of offer a watered down gospel that lacks saving power.
Most important!
Show love by trying to understand. In humility and brokenness, never water down the truth. You do not control whether someone believes or not. We please God with our Obedience, not success.
The Rock, Your Place to Belong
At the Rock, you can belong before you believe. Use the links to the right to begin your relationship with Rock Church. If you are local to Fargo, click the “free movie ticket” button to the right and check out one of our services, every Sunday at 10 AM, at West Acres Cinema. If you are not local to our area, that’s okay. There are all kinds of ways that you can participate in the happenings at Rock Church. We have many people that only interact with our church online. Use the “become a friend” button to be included in everything we are doing.
