11 Unexpected Ways Share the Gospel, Without Killing Your Relationships

CHICAGO, Sept. 9, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- Those who follow Jesus have a God-given command and Spirit-empowered desire to share the Gospel ... but often we don't know where to begin. Plus, we're worried about getting it wrong and burning relationships with friends and family. It doesn't have to be that way! As the old saying goes, people won't care how much you know unless they know how much you care. Here are 11 unique ways to "show" and "tell" from missional experts Ben Connelly and Dr. Bob Roberts, Jr., authors of A Field Guide for Everyday Mission: 30 Days and 101 Ways to Demonstrate the Gospel (Moody Publishers). Walk your dog. Walk when your neighbors are outside. Strike up conversations. No dog? Here's your chance to guilt trip your spouse into getting one.   Fix broken things. Jesus saw brokenness in the physical world as symbolic of spiritual brokenness; you can too. Pick up trash, help a neighbor with rehab, clean a park, etc.   Build short fences. Tall fences don't make good neighbors; they distance and privatize you. Remove fences between you and your neighbors, or if you must have them, build them low.   Try a new hobby. Not stoked about video games, cycling, or model cars, but know folks who are? Become stoked about people, and prepare to be dominated, out of breath, or have gluey fingers.   Display imperfection. Instead of hiding faults and mistakes, talk about your humanness and the fruit God produces as He continues to redeem it.   Pray before conversations. Whether a meeting, business call, friendly chat or first date, pray before it starts ... for God to lead your words and help you model His character. Note: If praying would kill the relationship, skip this suggestion!   Tip well ... even if they do a horrible job. Show dignity, kindness, grace, mercy and the love of Christ. The waiters, assistants, janitorial staff, drivers and housekeepers who surround you, greet them by name. Get off your phone before you check out of a store.   Ask good questions. Show people you care about them, their beliefs and their desires. "When do you feel like that?" "Were you afraid?" "How did you respond?" "What concerns you most?" "How are you doing with it now?" "Tell me more!" and of course, "Why?"   Ask what people think of God. Literally everyone considers that question and most will answer. Even if some answers scare you, it's a way to see how others think about deep things.   Talk to not-yet believers the same way you talk to Christians. Discuss hobbies, passions, work or whatever you talk about in Christian circles-95 percent of conversation can look the same.   Watch your reactions. Respond to frustrations in gracious ways. Ignore office gossip. Display patience in difficulty. The "small moments" of life are platforms to display your faith. Parting word of caution... beware of turning people into projects and forcing the Gospel uninvited. Remember, most mission happens through meaningful conversations and genuine relationships. So above all, love others well. For review copies or interviews with the authors, call Janis Backing at 312-329-2108.

Share the Gospel, Without Killing Your Relationships

Missional experts offer 101 surprising ways to tell not-yet believers about Christ.

CHICAGO, Aug. 21, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- In teaching people how to reach their communities for Christ, pastors and missional living experts Ben Connelly and Bob Roberts Jr. have gone to the dogs ... literally.

Check out No. 37 in their new book, A Field Guide for Everyday Mission: 30 Days and 101 Ways to Demonstrate the Gospel (Moody Publishers): "Walk your dog when your neighbors are outside. Strike up conversations. Invite them over. No dog? Here's your chance to guilt trip your spouse into getting one," the authors wryly advise.

Other unconventional ways to tell others about Him who don't yet believe? Tip well, even if the server does a horrible job (No. 48). Throw a Super Bowl party; cultural events can be used for mission (No. 61). Build short fences; tall fences can distance and privatize you (No. 20).

When it comes to getting the message across, these Texas pastors aren't afraid to tip over a few sacred cows. Take No. 49 on their list: Sit at the bar; leave your table or booth, pray that God opens a door and introduce yourself (No. 49).

"There are hundreds of places God sends us on everyday mission. Many are out of our comfort zone, in the proverbial darkness, and on someone else's turf. But whoever they are and whatever their turf is, that's where we go and make disciples," the authors explain.

Designed for individuals, churches, small groups and missional communities ready to take risks and try new ways to fulfill Jesus' Great Commission, A Field Guide for Everyday Mission (www.everydaymission.net) is a unique, often entertaining read for everyday Christians trying to live out God's mission wherever He has placed them.

Each day's reading includes an immediately practicable biblical principle and ends with a few ways to live it out. By the end of day 30, you'll have 101 unique ideas you can use to demonstrate the Gospel naturally in your daily life.

The authors conclude: "Some Christians are given the gift of evangelism, but all Christians are given the mission of making disciples. We're hoping to help those who are more scared than gifted see that by the power of God, living on mission isn't as hard as we often think."

FOR INTERVIEWS OR REVIEW COPIES
Contact Janis Backing at 312-329-2108.