During Mission Meet ’24, Jeannie Marie encouraged all of us to start where we are, start small, and start soon. Getting started doesn’t have to be a massive undertaking. So, take a breath, trust God, and step toward a neighbor!
As you consider who the Lord is calling you toward to offer the hope of Jesus and where he might call you to sow the gospel along your daily path, look at the folks around you. Who do you encounter on an ordinary day, in an ordinary week? Where do you go throughout your days and weeks where your path might intersect with others? Consider something small, like a question. Maybe it’s a simple: “Hi, what’s your name? I’ve seen you countless times at this grocery store, and it’d be nice to say hi and know your name.” Then see where things go from there! Take cookies to a neighbor’s house, perhaps one you haven’t gotten to know well yet, and think about the six conversation pathways the Holleman’s taught us: social, emotional, physical, cognitive, volitional, and spiritual. But remember to share your life, too, or else the conversation becomes an interview!
- Social: “Who have you been spending time with lately?” “Have you ever had a relationship where you felt like the person really understood you?” (Follow-up: What was that like? Or: What do you think that would be like?)
- Emotional: “When was the last time you laughed a deep belly laugh till it hurt?” “What riles you up nowadays? Is there anything that’s been upsetting you?”
- Physical: “How does your anxiety express itself in your body?” “Do you have any physical health concerns?”
- Cognitive: “What puzzles you? Do you have any big questions you haven’t answered?” “How do you discern the credibility of the ‘news’ nowadays? How do you sift facts from interpretations of facts or misinformation?”
- Volitional: “Which is stronger for you: the urge to sleep or the urge to eat? Why?” “What’s one thing you hope to see happen that would really change the quality of your life?”
- Spiritual: “Do you sense that you’re on a spiritual journey?” “Where do you turn to make sense of life’s ultimate questions? Why?”
Imagine the conversations that could follow! Pray before, during, and after the interaction, and look for opportunities to follow up where possible.
Now, in order to have something to offer in the midst of a conversation, I encourage you to drink deeply from the Word of God, especially the four gospels. Our desire is that neighbors would see and trust in Jesus. What better way than a Jesus story or words of Jesus himself to introduce them to the Savior?
I’m looking forward to hearing the stories of grace that God works in and through you all, Faith Church Loveland! Start where you are. Start small. Start soon!
