Colossians 4:2-6, 1 Peter 3:15, Proverbs 15:1, Proverbs 25:11
One of the reasons
some unchurched people feel weird during these conversations is because we use
language that is unfamiliar to them. Phrases like 'born again,' 'grace,' 'righteousness,'
etc. are probably all foreign language to someone who's never been to church.
We even have some deceiving phrases in our church culture - here are a few of
them:
1.
I'll pray about it =
I'll pretend to pray about it, but really the answer is 'no.'
2.
We need to pray for so
and so = Guess what I just heard?!
3.
Bless his/her heart =
What an idiot.
4.
I don't mean to judge
but... = I'm going to judge.
5.
God wants me to take
some time off from this relationship = I met someone else and I'm too coward to
break up with you.
6.
God told me that we
are supposed to get married = Maybe you'll say yes if God is behind this.
7.
I just want you to
know that I'm fasting = Your spiritual life is miniscule compared to mine. Get
at my level.
8.
Take this with a grain
of salt = I'm about to really offend you.
Most of these are
meant to be humorous, but also to make a point. If we want our unchurched
friends to understand what we're trying to say, we need to be careful of the
language we use. Instead of using phrases like 'born again,' maybe we just
explain what it means to meet Jesus and become a new creation. Use metaphors
and words that would be familiar to them: the message needs to meet them
halfway!
Practical Steps // Think of some phrases that
might be confusing to someone who's never been to church and consider some
alternative ways to say the same thing in a way that your friends or family
would understand.
So what fears,
worries, or anxieties do you need to let go of and give over to God so He can
bear that weight for you?
