Ask simple questions, be prepared

How do I talk to someone about the Gospel?

Wait… pause.

Before you truly ask that question, be prepared.

God will answer you.

The answer won’t be about “how,” it’s always about “now.”

We’ve all struggled with this (yes, even pastors).

So, here’s a “how” to get you on the path to “now” in starting a Gospel conversation.

Offer a prayer as a question to anyone:

“If you could receive one miracle from God, what would you ask for?”

Everyone has real needs, personal needs, either for them or someone else.

Whatever they say – self, family, friend, finances, health, community, safety, neighborhood – let them know, “I’d love to offer a blessing through a prayer for you about that, O.K.?”

Your prayer of concern, caring, love and faith is a first step in sharing the Gospel.

So, that may be all that happens that day. Just let the Lord guide you to follow up in a few days.

If they want to know more, keep a card on hand that has the Roman Road, 3 Circles or some other simple method of sharing the Gospel. Read it aloud to them, and pray with them.

One question can open the door as the Holy Spirit guides you.

Ask about those miracles, disciple.

Shawn’s noodling rant:

(“Noodling” is a term I swiped from my mentor. The meaning is to “ponder” or “think deeply about” a topic that God is challenging us with through scripture or the Holy Spirit, or both.)

Your ‘heartset’ guides your mindset

When you live in the United States, sports invariably will be a part of your life. Participating in or watching – yourself, kids, grand kids, television – you’ll be connected to sports.

And this is where I often get into trouble when it comes to sports and fellow Christians. Keep in mind, my ranting always applies to me, too.

I can watch sports 24/7, 365. That includes badminton or curling championships at 3 a.m. on cable television. Don’t tell me you don’t know the feeling. I also consider quilting and cooking shows as promoting sporting activities, so that should cover everyone.

Consider this, how often do you equate fun or relaxation with kicking back with a snack and a beverage and just “enjoying the game” or “enjoying the show.” This creates an alluring atmosphere of not worrying about anything and an opportunity to relieve stress (sometimes through yelling at the inanimate device projecting said entertainment event).

I get it. It’s an opportunity to not have to think about all the stressors and concerns of life that will inevitably come to light once the next alarm clock goes off. Sometimes watching sports is simply an opportunity to catch up on sleep (like watching golf or bowling).

Finding relaxation or enjoyment through watching sports seems benign enough. What’s a few hours of airtime on a Saturday or Sunday? I’ve got the rest of the week for biblical endeavors, right?

In everything we do our “heartset” guides our mindset. What our heart is set upon is where our mind will follow. If our heart is set upon a beloved sport, how will it affect our mindset when we step out into the real world? (I’ve never seen yelling at referees translate to a Gospel moment.)

Colossians 3:2 (NIV) – “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

“How’d you like the game on Sunday?” can be an opening question to ultimately share the Gospel with someone. But if degrades into eviscerating criticism of the coaching staff, referees or why a chef put beans in their chili, turning that conversation back to the Gospel can be difficult.

Mindset is a set of beliefs that defines how you make sense of the world, and yourself. Mindset influences pretty much everything that happens in our lives. Developing a Gospel-oriented mindset requires purposeful intent from each of us so we may be prepared to face what this world presents us and act as God would want.

Joshua 1:8 (NKJV) – “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.”

Now, disciple, when the digital TV guide shows your favorite sporting event coming up on the schedule, think “Bible study.”

(If you’re a Cowboys fan, you’ll be all the better by reading a few verses.)

Romans 12:2 (NKJV) – “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Am I giving up watching sports or cooking shows? No, that’s not the challenge.

(Once folks get to know my heart a little better, we’ll step this up a notch about sports – idolatry, money, finances– and sting the heart a little more.)

The challenge today is to make sure your heart is in the right place before you watch any entertainment, and that your mind is set on applying as much or more interest in God and his Word as anything else in your world.

The author of our eternal salvation deserves as much.

Now, disciple…

P.S. One could easily replace “sports” with any other earthly activity.

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