Connect: Be a friend

Helping people know Jesus begins by building real connections with people that don’t know Jesus yet.

If you find it hard sharing your faith, you’re not alone.

Many Christians would agree with you. If you’re finding the Great Commission a challenge, let’s start by asking the question: do you have any connection with non-believers?

It may seem obvious, but the truth is, you can't share Jesus if you don't have a point of connection with non-believers.

Now, there’s no judgement here – but it’s a good question to ask. Many of us are passionate about our faith and open to sharing Jesus, but it's easy to get caught up in attending and serving at church and unintentionally become stuck in a Christian bubble with no friends outside of church.

Jesus left us with a mandate to “go into all the world and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15), a gospel that he himself brought in his words and actions. While he was among us, he regularly welcomed people from all walks of life – often to a table for a meal. There’s a long-standing tradition from the way of Jesus that sees hospitality not only as an expression of love, but as the best way to invite people to both hear and experience the gospel of God’s love in action.

Helping people know Jesus begins by building real connections with people that don’t know Jesus yet.

Look for opportunities to connect with non-Christians in your everyday life. By cultivating those connections, you create opportunities for great spiritual conversations. Start with your friends, family and the people you see every day. Cultivate a deeper connection that is personal and genuine and share Jesus in that space. It could be as simple as starting a conversation with your barista or someone at uni, or in a friendship you already have but want to take deeper.

As you grow your friendship, find ways to demonstrate the fruit of the spirit. Let peace, love, and joy shine out like a light on a hill pointing to Jesus. In the context of your close relationships, follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and take opportunities to open up conversations about Jesus, church, and faith.

Evangelism will become a natural part of your life as you simply connect well to the people in the world around you, letting love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and self-control flow through you.

Connection is something prized and valued by the Kingdom of God, and it is something unique you can offer your non-Christian friends. What is something they are not already getting from their own community? Perhaps it’s authentic support and love from a community that values deep connection. This kind of community offers safety, security, and stability. People are hungry for genuine connection. Share Jesus by practising deep connection with the world around you.

Who can you reach out to today? Remember, you're not alone – together we can help the world know Jesus.

Remember

You can't share Jesus if you don't know any non-Christians.

Connect with authenticity; you have something unique to bring to sharing Jesus.

Cultivate deep friendship, community is a kingdom principle.

Next Steps

  1. Make friends with non-Christians.
  2. Connect with people deeply even if they never come to Jesus.
  3. Look for the unique things God has embedded in you for connecting with people (ask Jesus to show you).
  4. Read a good book on community: Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, When the Church was a Family by Joseph H Hellerman, The Second Mountain by David Brooks.
  5. Organise a catch up with someone today.

Scriptural Support

Mark 16:15 (NIV)

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

1 John 4:8 (ESV)

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Romans 10:1 (ESV)

Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.

Luke 6:27-36 (NIV)

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

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