Written by Gail Ficken
Like everyone else, I’ve been drawn into the tragedy of the Charlie Kirk assassination.
There’s no doubt emotions are running high from many different angles.
Some say this might lead to Revival. Others say Revolution.
Here’s what grieves me! There are “too few” of us as Christians ready and equipped to share the Good News of Jesus with “so many” Americans that don’t know Jesus and have a greater openness than even several weeks ago.
Here are 3 simple tools to help you be better equipped to represent Jesus in this cultural moment!
1. Be Alert to Opportunities. Pray for Opportunities
For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes. Romans 1:16
Start your morning with prayer. Repeat it during the day. “Lord, open opportunities for me to represent you today and help me be alert to them.”
Watch for people that are:
Passing! Some might be people that you meet in passing. Brief. Maybe you’ll only see them this one time. Grocery store, school parking lot, airplane, gym.
Permanent! Ongoing relationships. Friends, neighbors, family, work.
Take a clue when they demonstrate to you that they like you and listen to you. Maybe even do the simplest of things to serve you. God is at work here!
2. Posture — It has everything to do with posture!
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
Ours is not to convince them of the Gospel no matter what! Good news: That’s the work of the Holy Spirit.
Bold is good! Brash or harsh is not healthy!
People need a safe place to talk. They have a lot to say!
Listen well.
Be curious.
Believe it or not, I’ve discovered that a lot can happen in a 5- or 10-minute passing conversation when I’m alert to what God is arranging!
Internally, people are asking themselves: Can I trust this person with my unspoken thoughts, my questions, my fears, my doubts.
Remember, you have a lot of emotions too that may or may not be helpful as you represent Jesus in a relationship.
Here’s some research conducted by Barna that underscores how important this is.
3. Good News! Your Hope as a Believer!
And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. 1 Peter 3:15
Have you ever said: “I don’t know what to say!”
It holds so many of us back from saying anything.
Most likely your problem is that you know too much… that you could say! And you don’t know what is important to say.
Have you ever said: “What if I don’t know the answers to questions they might ask?”
“I don’t know. I’ll find out.” …has worked great for me and most everyone else for years and years.
Multipli has adapted The 5 Fingers of Faith from our good friends at Evangelism Explosion. We teach this in Multipli to provide a simple way to remember the overarching story!
And, if you’re the nervous type, you can let your fingers guide your life-changing words.
Shared in just a few minutes in a restaurant, bar, or hospital waiting room.
Shared over hours of lingering conversation with an uncle, a neighbor down the street, or a person in the lunch room.
Use your own fingers. It’s easy to remember and be better equipped.
The pointer finger “points out” that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We have missed the mark.
The middle finger is the tallest of the fingers and reminds us of God. He’s just and must punish sin but also loving and merciful.
The ring finger is that this loving God sent His Son Jesus to be punished for our sins in our place.
The pinky finger is the smallest and represents faith. Trusting in Jesus. When we believe in Jesus, we receive the gift of His sacrifice as our own.
The thumb. Think of hitchhiking. At no cost of our own, we are brought into relationship with God. He restores us. And, ultimately, we will go to heaven.
There’s a cultural moment right now not to be missed. This isn’t everything, but it’s enough to get you and other followers of Jesus better equipped in the game.
Like Esther, for such a time as this!
Would you…
Forward this to a few of your friends and tell them that there are “too few” of us stepping into this cultural moment. This might be helpful.
Check out the next Genesis Leader groups starting on October 19 and November 9 at multipli.org and consider signing up. We have people that wanted to do Genesis Leader a year or two ago but it just didn’t happen that are now saying: “The time is now.” Maybe it is for you too.
Set up a time to meet with Erin to make a plan or answer questions for yourself or your group.
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