Friday, January 27, 2012

So what's an "open door" to do with the Gospel?


One of the challenges of maintaining ministry or witnessing relationships is knowing when and how to offer spiritual input into another person's life. It's easy when "visitation" of people who first visited your church is your only model of sharing the Gospel or offering ministry to others. You know the purpose of the meeting, the other person knows it, and the conversation isn't really started until the spiritual purpose is introduced. That's fine in that context.

But what about your family members -- the people you share holidays, family events, and life's ups and downs? What about your co-workers, neighbors, friends at your gym, or other people you interact with on a consistent basis? Every conversation isn't about the Gospel or other spiritual issues. In fact, if that is all you talk about you may find you don't have too many of these people in your life. They see you coming -- and go the other way.

As Christians, we have a responsibility to share the Gospel. We want to do that as often as appropriate. We are also supposed to be kind, not browbeating people or otherwise being a nuisance. When that happens, the Good News becomes bad news! None of us want that. So, when and how do you help your friends and family consider spiritual issues, particularly the Gospel? You look for open doors of opportunity. Keep reading.

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