MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE May 29th 2022
The importance of understanding culture and language
What we think we know, we may not know
For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.(1Co 9:19-23)
Before we can help people understand the good news we need ot know them and how it is good news for them
Belief/Faith
It is not so much about what we know - But about who we are
Our relationship with Jesus needs to be vibrant and influence everything we do.
But we also need to understand what we believe
Language
Words which may be familiar and understood to us - may mean very different things to others.
Church....
My Faith....
Christian...
God....
Grace....
Lifestyle
Genuine, long term relaitonships are required
They will need ot know we care, before they care about what we know
The evidence of the gospel will need to be seen...
Not so much private morality - but the love, joy, peace and hope we have
Our willingness to forgive
Genuine listening is paramount
So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
ACTIVITY (see document to be downloaded)
Choose a person, think about how the gospel could be good news for them.
What would you need to do in order to help them understand this good news?
Note that the full sermon text and the Bible Reading and prayer activity can also be downloaded below.
