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| | | Forum Newbie
Group: Girlfriends
Last Login: 1/19/2007 5:32:06 PM
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| | My husband and I have lived in our neighborhood for 12 years. While we know many of our neighbors, we also know that most of them are of completely different faiths. They range from Roman Catholic, Mormon, Christian Science, Jehovah's Witness, including ourselves as evangelical Christians. Unless they are strong in their church (and thus one of the above denominations), most are mainline denominations and attend church rarely. How do we invite them to something like a small group, knowing it'll need to cross all the borders of the different denoms? |
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| | | Forum Newbie
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 9/6/2007 9:03:36 AM
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| | For a long time we did a Bible study where every week we just answered a question. One person a week would bring a question (like "What is God's view of money?" or "We believe genocide is wrong; so why did God want Israel to destroy entire cities in the Old Testament?" -- yeah some of the questions were tough.) Then for twenty minutes people would individually look up Scripture that related to that question. Then we'd come back together and everyone would talk about what they found. It was amazing...and it didn't matter where people were coming from in their church background/denom. because the Bible was the basis. You could also adapt that in such a way that it could work for non-Christians. You would still use the Bible, but others might bring something else to use too. It could lead to some serious debate (you'd have to be careful to avoid arguments). But you could really have some eye-opening discussions -- and really get to know where others are coming from in their basic beliefs. |
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| | | Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 7/9/2008 1:27:26 PM
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| | You might also want to look at reading someone like C.S. Lewis. I particularly like The Great Divorce for generating good discussion. It's a quick read, but has a lot of meat and takes a view of heaven that is unique and thought-provoking. |
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| | | Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 1/15/2007 11:20:58 AM
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| I have also struggled with this. It just doesn't seem natural to walk up to a neighbor, whether you know them or not, and say, "Would you like to come over to check out my beliefs?" Maybe I'm just not forward enough. But if someone I didn't know asked that of me, I think I'd be taken off guard and probably wouldn't respond well.
For me, the challenge is in the inviting, not in the exploring Christianity together. How do I get into a conversation that leads to the exploring part. Is it just having guts to ask the question? Is it knowing how to finesse the conversation in the right direction? Or, is it waiting for God's prompting (which to me seems like the right way, but I also use it as a cop out b/c I listen selectively and my peers aren't the wiser).
AB |
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| | | Forum Newbie
Group: Girlfriends
Last Login: 1/19/2007 5:32:06 PM
Posts: 3, Visits: 10 |
| | My church has begun having "safe" outreach nights, which may be the way to go with my neighbors. There is an evening meal and then either a comedian, musician, or illusionist. It crosses all the generational lines, and it's basically a place to invite friends and neighbors where all denoms would feel welcome. And then once they're inside the church, they realize it's not a scary place after all, and that just because it's not their particular denom doesn't mean the members (a.k.a. their neighbors) are all that different from themselves. I think I'll give that a try! |
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Forum Expert
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Last Login: Today @ 8:00:51 PM
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| | Getting people from different denominations (Christian) as well as those with no particular religious affiliation to accept an informal invitation to a bible get together would be much easier than those who belong to what we consider a cult (Mormons, JWs, CS). Actually, to get them to come to a "Christian" gathering, especially in a church is most likely impossible. I personally know (by experience) that the best approach by far to share one's faith is through "Friendship Evangelism." A simple invitation to coffee, tea, and/or a board game (We love Cranium!) can open up a wide door to witnessing. You don't even have to "preach" the first time you meet. Just allow the Holy Spirit to make a way through your hospitality and life testimony. In other words, "Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words” (St. Francis of Assisi). Eventually they will be the ones to bring up the spiritual conversation at which point you just testify of how "knowing" God has changed your life. This is my most humble opinion. A Good article on the topic by Karen Wolff.
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 3/11/2008 4:06:40 PM
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| Right on, PJ...I like your simplicity...the relational approach works well. There really is no other way as far as letting people know that you genuinely care about who they are unless you are willing to spend time with them and HEAR about who they are and where they come from. They WILL ask you questions about why you do this or that...also they WILL ask about what you believe. That is your opportunity to give an answer for what you believe...and we all ought to be prepared.
Right?
Mark Myles
Director of Children's Ministries
Campbell River Baptist Church |
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Forum Expert
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| | That's right Mark. We have a won a couple of friends to the Lord by doing just that, being friends! BTW, I want to make it clear that you make friends for friendship sake not to share the Gospel. If you are looking to make friends only to evangelize that is considered manipulation and you will eventually reject the "friend" if the friend rejects the Gospel. That is not the Christian way. We make friends because we are to love everyone. God can use the friendship to lead some to Christ.
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