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Persecution in Changing Times – Part 3

May 22, 2023

Last month we looked at the second of a three-part series on reviewing the counterintuitive principles in scripture that guide us for how to live in times of increasing persecution  of Christians. We recommended the book Prepare – Living Your Faith in an Increasingly Hostile Culture authored by Dr J. Paul Nyquist.

This worthwhile read includes 5 principles for looking at persecution:

  1. The persecution of believers is normal and not strange.
  2. Persecution means your blessed not cursed.
  3. Believers can expect to be exposed and not protected.
  4. God calls us to respond to our persecution with compassion rather than anger.
  5. We will be rewarded not forgotten.

This month we look at the final two of these principles.

God calls us to respond to our persecution with compassion rather than anger.

Christ left us a model to follow. He commands us to love our enemies. Paul encourages us to bless our enemies.

Romans 12:14 says “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” 

Peter reinforces the teaching of Jesus and Paul in 1 Peter 3:14-17:

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

In these passages, we see three commands to help us face hostility in a godly manner:

  1. Be strong (do not fear their threats)
  2. Be ready (always be prepared to make a defense)
  3. Be faithful (better to suffer for good than do evil)

Our attitude in responding is critical. We need to check our arrogance and anger at the door. God wants us to be His witnesses – not His prosecuting attorneys. Meekness and humility must undergird every word we speak.

We should all be reminded of the regular persecution found in the book of Acts. Persecution starts in Chapter 4 and goes through the closing words in Chapter 28. The opposition included beatings, arrests, stonings, riots and martyrdom. If we look carefully, we see five major theological themes on persecution in Acts.

  1. Persecution is part of God’s plan.
  2. Persecution is the rejection of God’s agents.
  3. The persecuted stand in continuity with God’s prophets.
  4. Persecution is an integral consequence of following Jesus.
  5. Persecution is the occasion of divine triumph.

The most powerful apologetic is the faithful lives of God’s people, demonstrating love, hope and faith amid a hostile world.

We will be rewarded not forgotten.

The New Testament overflows with teaching on eternal rewards. At the judgment – or bema – seat, each man’s work will be fully and fairly evaluated by Christ himself to reveal its value.

Scripture mentions a variety of rewards. Some bestow privilege such as authority in the millennial Kingdom (Matthew 25:14-30). Others bring honor, such as the crowns mentioned repeatedly in the New Testament (1 Peter 5:1-4). Because these are given by our glorious redeemer, all rewards are worthy of our pursuit.

We also see that in the Beatitudes portion of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus says, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  Matthew 5:11-12

The promise of reward from God comes with a condition. He promises to significantly reward us, but the promise carries a requirement of perseverance through persecution. We will be rewarded if we faithfully endure.  Rewards received at the judgement seat far exceed the level of our suffering, for our generous God gives out of His riches.

https://thedigitalwitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/DW-Mar-23.png 788 940 Pete Miller https://thedigitalwitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/digital-witness-white.png Pete Miller2023-05-22 17:36:122023-05-22 17:36:14Persecution in Changing Times – Part 3

Persecution in Changing Times – Part 2

April 25, 2023

Last month we started a three- part series on reviewing the counterintuitive principles in scripture that guide us for how to live in increasing persecution  of Christians. We recommended the book Prepare – Living Your Faith in an Increasingly Hostile Culture authored by Dr J. Paul Nyquist.

This worthwhile read includes 5 principles for looking at persecution:

  1. The persecution of believers is normal and not strange.
  2. Persecution means your blessed not cursed.
  3. Believers can expect to be exposed and not protected.
  4. God calls us to respond to our persecution with compassion rather than anger.
  5. We will be rewarded not forgotten.

This month we look at the second and third of those principles.

Persecution means your blessed not cursed.

The New Testament gives two ways persecution brings blessings. The first is that persecution allows us to know Christ more. Knowing Christ is life’s highest ambition. As we know Him, we share in his righteousness. As we suffer, we share in “the power of his resurrection”. We experience His strength. We understand what it means to be carried along in difficult circumstances in ways we can’t explain or comprehend. As we suffer, we know Him more and more.

Secondly, suffering produces spiritual fortitude perfecting our character. We are to greet trials with joy as it develops spiritual fortitude. Since we are sinners saved by grace, when we come to faith in Christ we each have plenty of pieces of our character missing.

We each have thousands of character points to be added or refined. God’s encouraging truth says that he has ways He accomplishes that work in our lives. One way – a key way – is through trials. When they come, if we stay under the trials – not dodging a painful situation or seeking an easy exit but pursuing the maximum spiritual benefit they offer – God uses them in the perfecting process. A rough edge of our character softens. A missing virtue is added. Slowly, but surely, God’s perfecting work takes shape in our lives. In God’s economy, persecution means we are blessed and not cursed.

James 1:2-4

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Believers can expect to be exposed and not protected.

When we suffer unjustly we expect others to defend us. As a general principle, we should not rely on family or government to defend us when persecution comes because often they will not.

When we face unjust persecution in the future, we would like to believe a large crowd of people will encourage and protect us. We would like the government to defend us from unfair punishment. We hope our family would support us in painful circumstances. We are sure lifelong friends would stand boldly in our corner.

In some cases, that may well happen. But we can’t expect it all to happen. We can expect to be exposed not protected. Others deserting us will put intense pressure on us to defect from faith when persecution comes. We will so yearn to regain lost relationships, we will even ponder abandoning Jesus. The readers of the book of Hebrews considered this when they faced persecution. It is easy to criticize them from a distance, but we soon may find ourselves in their shoes. All alone.

https://thedigitalwitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/DW-Mar-23.png 788 940 Pete Miller https://thedigitalwitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/digital-witness-white.png Pete Miller2023-04-25 13:19:542023-05-22 17:34:15Persecution in Changing Times – Part 2

Persecution in Changing Times – Part 1

March 25, 2023

Sharing the Gospel is not always easy. Doing this online, where there is more of an opportunity for others to hide their identities and remain anonymous, means we are even more likely to see people respond inappropriately, receive criticism and experience spiritual warfare. Jesus told us to be prepared for many to reject the message and we see persecution for Christians growing around the world.

Culture is changing quickly with growing opposition to biblical morality and secular agendas gaining traction much faster than we realize. The rate of this change shows no signs of slowing and is likely to accelerate with younger generations more disconnected to God’s Word becoming the dominant demographic. These changes and the demonizing of biblical beliefs will only continue and intensify.

Scripture prepares us for this and includes some counterintuitive principles for living through these challenging times. These are outlined in a thoughtful and encouraging way in the book Prepare – Living Your Faith in an Increasingly Hostile Culture authored by Dr J. Paul Nyquist.

This worthwhile read includes 5 principles for looking at persecution:

  1. The persecution of believers is normal and not strange.
  2. Persecution means your blessed not cursed.
  3. Believers can expect to be exposed and not protected.
  4. God calls us to respond to our persecution with compassion rather than anger.
  5. We will be rewarded not forgotten.

We will look at the first of these principles this month and then spend the next couple months looking at the rest and the scripture that guides each.

We see throughout scripture that persecution of believers is normal and not unusual. Faithful saints before and after Christ saw hardship and death stemming from their beliefs. Jesus himself is our greatest example of this.

The Bible reminds us that the world hates us for being Christian. This is because we are different, we bear Christ’s name, and our beliefs expose their sin. Jesus makes this point clearly in John 15:18-27:

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’ “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.”

Find peace that none of this is catching God off guard and we are not alone in suffering. We have the ultimate example and source of strength in Jesus Christ.

https://thedigitalwitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/DW-Mar-23.png 788 940 Pete Miller https://thedigitalwitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/digital-witness-white.png Pete Miller2023-03-25 16:18:572023-03-25 16:19:14Persecution in Changing Times – Part 1

The Power of Story

February 24, 2023

We all know the wonderful feeling of being swept into a great story.  People love stories, whether in person or through the arts. Even little children understand as they beg “tell me a story.”

A truly good story makes you forget your surroundings and become entirely immersed. In fact, research has shown your body physically reacts to a great story.

  • Your palms may start to sweat
  • You’ll blink faster
  • Your heart may beat differently
  • Your facial expressions shift as you react to the words

Stories wield a particularly strong influence over our attitudes and behavior.  A vivid, emotional story can give that extra push to make something feel more real or important.

Your own story is what defines you and sets you apart. This also allow you to connect with others and be known.

None of this is a surprise to our Creator. He made our brains to listen to stories. Even the Bible is a huge story, made up of many little stories all pointing to the Gospel  – the greatest story ever told.

Stories are also the heart of evangelism. In a today’s world, this is even more important. People are saturated and flooded with information. Then layer a postmodern view where there are no absolute truths.  Truth is seen as individualized and subjective rather than universal and objective.  Those adhering to these principles will more likely say, “Don’t tell me what to believe. Tell me how what you believe changes your life.”

The reality is most people, especially young ones today, do not want argument but are ready for demonstration. They are interested if we evidence of meaningful difference in our life and can tell them about an experience that actually works.

If they hear a compelling story about what Jesus Christ has done in our lives, they not only find it hard to argue against, but are in fact positively interested. This becomes the invitation to find out more about how Jesus can work and make a difference in their lives as well.

This is not new as Jesus was a master story teller. When we combine our story with his, a collision takes place. This can trigger a life changing series of questions:

  • What if my story isn’t the whole story?
  • How should I respond to what I just heard? 
  • Would my life change if Jesus were part of my story?

Story is powerful. When we share our story, we are welcoming others into a relationship that has transformed us. We are the living proof of what we are sharing. Do not be afraid to use your story when sharing Jesus.

https://thedigitalwitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Power-of-Story.png 788 940 Pete Miller https://thedigitalwitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/digital-witness-white.png Pete Miller2023-02-24 20:31:322023-02-24 20:31:33The Power of Story

Finding a Good Bible Teaching Church

January 24, 2023

As awesome as it is to be part of someone’s decision to put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ, we all know that this is just the beginning of their spiritual journey. We must encourage them to learn how to live with Jesus and invite Him to be a part of everything in their lives. We also must help them understand the importance of worship.

God did not design us to live alone. We are all created for community. We are stronger when we are living in community with others and not trying to do life alone. This is especially true for the new believer. They need other believers to encourage, teach, pray, and worship with them. They also need to appreciate the importance of worshipping God.

This brings us to one of the more difficult challenges of online evangelism. How we help connect a new believer with a good bible teaching church. Offering a list is a dangerous proposition. There are lots of church databases out there that are not managed with clear standards. There are also an increasing number of churches that give in to culture and not are standing on biblical truth.

Some ministries choose to align with one Christian denomination and point people at the closest church with their designation. This has the same challenges of faithful teaching and may alienate those that grew up or have experience with another denomination. 

For these reasons, it is not our goal to pick winners and losers but rather help the new believer find solid biblical teaching and true Christian community to worship God, be taught according to scripture, encouraged, prayed for, and held accountable.

There are a few simple steps we should all take when looking for a church home. We encourage seekers to look at a church’s beliefs posted on its web site and visit multiple times. Here are some of the questions they should be looking to answer:

Does this church hold a proper view of Scripture? When investigating a potential church home, pay particular attention to how it views the Bible. Does it hold to the inspiration and inerrancy of the Scriptures? Where do they stand on such crucial issues of the Christian faith as the virgin birth and deity of Jesus Christ; the depravity of mankind; the work of Christ on the cross; His death, burial, and bodily resurrection; salvation by grace through faith alone; the second coming of Christ; and the ordinances of baptism and Communion?

Is there an emphasis on Bible teaching? Does this church practice what it preaches and provide a place for meaningful growth, worship, community, and accountability based on Scripture? Does this church care about sharing the Gospel and is committed to evangelism?

Is this a church where I am encouraged to serve God’s people and use my gifts for its benefit? Is this a place where the people make up the church or where the church is expected to do everything for the people? Is volunteering and service mandated or expected of all members.

These questions take time, conversation, and connection to ultimately answer. We want new believers to understand they are part of the body of Christ and not just consumers of church. May these questions remind us all to look at how and where we worship.

https://thedigitalwitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/FINDING-A-CHURCH.png 788 940 Pete Miller https://thedigitalwitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/digital-witness-white.png Pete Miller2023-01-24 19:01:442023-01-24 19:02:15Finding a Good Bible Teaching Church

The Dangers of Judging Others

November 28, 2022

One of the dangers of listening online to one person after another share how their lives are broken is it becomes easy to fall into judgment of others.

Some people visit looking for help with difficult personal situations or behavior that is clearly unbiblical. They can even be seeking some opinion or advice on their circumstances. However, this does not mean they are desiring to be personally judged.

Answering their questions may require discernment or judgment about the behavior, but this can be sensitive and very dangerous. The enemy wants these conversations to go sideways. He wants to decrease the value of our Gospel-centered message by creating friction with the seeker.

Offering any judgment on these situations can go wrong in several different ways:

  • We may not be told all the facts and can end up judging in the wrong way.
  • We too easily forget our own mistakes or faults when offering a response.
  • We forget God’s grace for our worst mistakes and become a hypocrite.
  • We assume the worst and miss information that may shed a different light on the situation.

We encourage volunteers to pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance with these difficult conversations. We want to be charitable in coming to conclusions and sharing truth in an appealing way that makes Jesus more desirable. If we are unsure, we should ask more questions to see if there is more to the story. We should always walk carefully sharing grace and God’s love before offering answers to questions requiring some judgment.

A few verses to remind us of the dangers of judging.

Luke 6:37 – Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Romans 2:1 – You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 

Matthew 7:3 – Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 

https://thedigitalwitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DW-Judging-Others-1.png 788 940 Pete Miller https://thedigitalwitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/digital-witness-white.png Pete Miller2022-11-28 22:42:402022-11-28 22:43:59The Dangers of Judging Others

Conversations with Minors

October 25, 2022

Young people are getting access to computers and phones at younger ages. They are also getting exposed to mature topics and content earlier in life. As a ministry, we see this as the number of conversations with young people is increasing and the topics becoming more complex.

We want to share Jesus and speak truth into all seekers, but we also have an obligation to adhere to the various rules and regulations that relate to conversations with Minors and privacy laws. For instance, in the U.S. there is the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) that is a federal law prohibiting certain types of communication with children 13 years or younger. There are similar laws in Europe that apply to children under 16 years of age.

This has led us to remind volunteers that these conversations much be managed more sensitively and should always factor in the following reminders:

First Reminder – The ministry does not seek to collect any personally identifiable information from any seeker. So, in addition to avoiding full names and addresses, the ministry does not ask seekers their age. However, there are occasions when the seeker will volunteer such information, or you will be able to ascertain during the conversation. We coach volunteers to use common sense and their best judgement when speaking with someone that sounds like they are a Minor.

Second reminder – We recognize that conversations with Minors can be complex. As volunteers, we do not want to shy away from them, but we want to be conscious of who you are speaking to and what they are looking to discuss. Some volunteers may feel like walking with this young person over time as a mentor or coach would be helpful but this type of ongoing relationship is never allowed with a Minor.

Third reminder – As with all conversations, you should be evaluating the details the seeker shares. We do not ask volunteers to determine each seekers age. We encourage them to simply evaluate the information presented. If words like school, my teacher, kids, my parents, and other phrases that are not commonly used by adults are used then that would be a red flag. In these obvious cases, we always proceed cautiously determining what the guest is looking to discuss. We also want to determine whether they have someone they trust so we can encourage that connection. We always use discretion and avoid getting pulled into personal details that are not relevant to the conversation.

Once we suspect or realize that we are talking with someone under 18 years of age, we attempt to determine the type of conversation they are seeking and follow these guidelines for each type of conversation.

1. Spiritual Nature – Conversation purely spiritual in nature. These could be focused on questions about the Bible or concerning forgiveness, faith, how to be saved, or changing their relationship with God. These should be handled like any other legitimate conversation. Feel free to pray with them but also set boundaries and do not get pulled into an ongoing or repeated conversation.

2. General Life Discussion and Connection – Many young people come to the ministry just looking to talk or connect. They may bring up issues like friendships, school, loneliness, purpose, parents, identity, and feelings (anxiety, worry, depression). These should be handled directly with biblical direction. We want you to be intentional in leading this conversation to a positive close. Feel free to pray with them but also set boundaries and do not get pulled into an ongoing or repeated conversation.

3. Serious Life Issues – If the conversation relates to a serious life issue such as teen pregnancy, gender confusion, homosexuality, premarital sex, abuse, bullying, etc. then we want you to be intentional in leading this conversation to a positive close. This includes sharing biblical truth while at the same time encouraging the Minor to get help and speak to their parents, Youth Pastor, School Counselor or other trusted adult. Feel free to pray with them but also set boundaries and do not get pulled into an ongoing or repeated conversation.

4. Inappropriate Nature – As with any aged person, when the conversation is of an inappropriate nature, then we encourage you to graciously bow out and close the conversation quickly. Always show grace but be guarded with your words and encourage the minor to talk with their parents, Youth Pastor, School Counselor or other trusted adult.

We recognize it is hard to fit every possible conversation into one of four categories, but the reminders and guidelines above provide a safe framework for having conversations with Minors.

https://thedigitalwitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/DW-Oct.png 788 940 Pete Miller https://thedigitalwitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/digital-witness-white.png Pete Miller2022-10-25 21:15:072022-10-25 21:15:07Conversations with Minors

Cultural Context Matters

September 27, 2022

One of the many advantages of online evangelism is it offers easy access to conversations with people from all over the world. This means people with different cultural and faith backgrounds potentially hearing about Jesus for the first time. Others may have misguided ideas of who Jesus is and what the Bible actually says.

It is critically important to appreciate how someone’s cultural understanding of Jesus and sin will affect how they receive the Gospel. This means simple questions asking someone what they understand or believe can be critical to connecting with them. When we understand a seeker’s background and cultural context, we can offer the Gospel in ways that are more likely to resonate.

There are many ways to view different cultural viewpoints, but it can be helpful to see them from a broad perspective before learning specifics about an individual. Some Christian anthropologists classify cultures into three different sin-response types:

  • Guilt/Innocence cultures view right and wrong primarily based on understanding of justice and law. The Gospel is most clearly understood as salvation from guilt and the penalty of sin. This is common in western cultures like the US.

  • Shame/Honor cultures value relationships and understand right and wrong based on what grants honor (both to self and family/community) and avoids shame. The Gospel is most clearly understood as salvation from their shame and how God grants them an honorable position as son or daughter of the Most High. This is more often seen in Eastern cultures like Japan.

  • Fear/Power cultures see life as a struggle for spiritual power in order to attain what they need. What is right is determined by what the individual god or spirit demands from someone to gain favor. The Gospel is most clearly understood as salvation from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of a sovereign and good God who is more powerful than all other spirits. This is seen in Tribal cultures throughout the world.

The core message of the Gospel does not change but how we present it may differ depending on the background and culture of the seeker. We also need to recognize that we often use language and metaphors that we have grown comfortable with but those may not help someone from another culture appreciate the message the same way. We must be mindful to choose simple words that capture the essence of the Gospel and select language and examples that connect with the audience. Always trust the Holy Spirit to guide and lead each conversation to a place of understanding and transformation for the seeker.

https://thedigitalwitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/DW-Culture-Matters.png 788 940 Pete Miller https://thedigitalwitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/digital-witness-white.png Pete Miller2022-09-27 13:52:382022-09-27 13:52:38Cultural Context Matters

Transitioning Conversations

August 24, 2022

Most people come online to share a story or problem. They may not have anyone they can seek advice from or confide in.  We always want to listen well and understand the heart of each guest. The goal of every conversation is to ultimately share Jesus Christ. This means we need to look for seamless ways to transition personal conversations into kingdom conversations.

We need to connect with people that may be far from Jesus and help them understand that He cares for them and speaks clearly into their struggles. True hope does not come from feelings but knowing and trusting in Christ.

We understand this can sound challenging when people come with a wide range of conversation topics. However, smooth transitions can connect any topic to what God’s Word says about how to live healthy and joyful lives. Here are a few examples:

  • People concerned about heaven or hell is a great opening to share how we can be saved and spend eternity with Jesus in heaven.
  • Those concerned with sin or forgiveness is a chance to talk about how we are all broken sinners and need forgiveness along with how Jesus offers it to each of us.
  • Guests dealing with broken relationships is an opportunity to talk about how Jesus wants a personal relationship with each of us and what He says about loving others.
  • Anxiety and shame are openings to talk about the peace of God that comes to those who are saved and learn to trust God in all things.
  • Those struggling with finding purpose or identity is a chance to talk about how God has a plan for each of us and it starts with having a right relationship with Jesus Christ.
  • People stuck in porn or sexual sin offers us the opportunity to talk about God’s perfect design for marriage and sex and how Jesus offers forgiveness for all sin.

  • Same sex and gender confusion are sensitive topics and a great occasion to share how we were created for relationship with God and that our true identity is in Christ.

  • Some guests simply are in hard seasons of life so we can encourage them that God is there, has never left them, and His promises are not any less true in those times of struggle.

Conversations can be difficult but there is always a way to share God’s love. Our goal should be to turn their attention to how Christ is the answer and His Word has something to say about their circumstances. Do not let the magnitude or emotion of what a guest is wrestling with keep you from sharing truth and transitioning the conversation into a Gospel-centered discussion.

https://thedigitalwitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DW-Transitioning-Convos.png 788 940 Pete Miller https://thedigitalwitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/digital-witness-white.png Pete Miller2022-08-24 18:06:272022-08-24 18:14:51Transitioning Conversations

How to Meet People Digitally

July 19, 2022

The world is getting smaller. This is obviously not a statement regarding physical size but about technology. We can easily connect with people on the other side of the world through a phone in our pocket. We can reach distinct people groups through a post online or influence specific age groups through the social media or technology we select. We talk with people from every tribe and nation on an endless array of topics and issues. Considering this diversity, it helps to keep some simple communication guidelines at work for productive conversations.

Listening goes a long way – Everyone coming to us has a story and most desperately want to share it. We have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Most people like to hear themselves and letting them lay out their story, within reason, will often help you determine how to best manage the conversation and earn the right to share the Gospel. Listen for the clues as to what their relationship with Jesus is really like.

Keep things Simple – Don’t give them more than they need. We can’t solve every life issue the person has. Stick with the Gospel and how much Jesus loves them. For many that are coming back to their faith, or those that have been running from God, the idea of church is very scary. Give them the main points and allow time, discipleship, and other believers to augment their faith. None of us as new believers could understand all the finer points of theology, exact Bible references, the cultural background of the text, or the Hebrew/Greek meaning of each term during our first exposure to Jesus or His word. Be patient and know that simply sharing the Gospel is success!

Emphasize Concepts over Words – Don’t memorize an outline, but rather learn the concepts. Words change depending on whom you’re talking to. If you’re explaining the dangers of a hot stove or open water to a two-year old, you’ll use different words, tones, and illustrations than you would if you’re talking to an adult. Get the concepts down, the general direction of what you want to say, and the words will come as the Holy Spirit works through you. Know the concepts of Sin, Substitution, and Faith and be able to explain them using different words.

Mirror Conversation Styles – Don’t respond with long and overdrawn answers. This is especially true in digital conversations online or via text. Three of every four seekers are “talking” with us through a mobile device. Screens are small and we need to communicate in shorter bites to make sure the seeker is following along. You may want to insert simple statements such as “does that make sense” or “are you with me”. Simplify your answers to ensure anyone can understand the message and then meet them at the level they display.

Don’t assume those who claim to be “Christian” are so – We do not recommend you ask anyone if they are Christian or saved. Many will respond “yes” without knowing what is involved or having a true relationship with Jesus. When you probe about the seeker’s relationship with Jesus, you will often get a response related to going to church or some other activity or status that they mistakenly believe bestows Christianity. Gently ask “where Jesus is in your life and how he has transformed you”. Sometimes simply asking about where Jesus fits in their life can help show what their beliefs truly are.

Don’t judge or argue – We never debate or argue someone into believing. Some visitors will come looking to draw you into such a conversation. If you sense it going that direction, simply ask if the person is seeking Jesus or looking for something else from the conversation. Faith is ultimately directed by the Holy Spirit, and we can only pray that we are fortunate enough to play a role in that process. Show love so no matter how the conversations end, it will leave them appreciating how Christians live and what the Gospel preaches.

People come with different objectives and communication styles. Meeting them on the most basic level often earns us the right to share Jesus with love and grace.

https://thedigitalwitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/NHG-FB-Jul-Sep-22-1.png 788 940 Pete Miller https://thedigitalwitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/digital-witness-white.png Pete Miller2022-07-19 16:51:492022-07-19 16:55:10How to Meet People Digitally
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