Memories

Some more pieces of paper . . . I know they're boring to other people, but they're kinda precious to me, like part of my past. And they have a special meaning people wun understand. Like these boring, sermon-like things are the lessons I learnt from books and all over the place when I couldn't go to church, but somehow, the Lord still always makes sure I learned. I'm preserving them here so I can thrown the yellowed hard copies.

The following are actually from a book I found in the library, in 1995 I think. Kind of summary of some chapters of that book, Everyday Evangelism, I think. I liked it a lot then. Well, if anyone wants to sue me for plagarism pls just let me know, I'll delete the whole thing. And forgive an innocent 14-year-old who never heard the word 'plagarism'...

You'll notice a lot of very obvious spelling errors, they're as per original, din noe my spelling was that bad at 14 ... Found out how to put in a midi! Think I'm making this whole thing like a webpage...

Sharing

the act of two who receive and give be open to learning new things about others and about yourself try new things together do things you both enjoy (common interest) Do things together. Go places together The most important part if the communication of your faith in Jesus Christ (introduction)

Evangelizing

more than giving an impression of Jesus to others inviting others to put their trust in him

Difficulties

people are not “good with words and fear saying it wrong an intentional caring act (done without words of explanation, as be view simply as thoughtfulness most church people have a “theological vocabulary” that is largely unknown to the outside world

tools

lead people from the known to the unknown tell God’s story to each person in her own language. Discover some of the key words in the language of your friends and use these words to tell God’s storey Tell storys connected to the person’s interest

Ask those person if they would be willing to trust in a God who relates to their needs and interests, who created them they way they are, and whose only Son came to earth to bring their salvation

Character	Action
Great difficulty speaking about themselves	Make personal statements by talking about the problems of others
Feel weak and inferior	Try to appear strong and speak with deliberation and firmness
Frightened	Appear very aggressive and controlled

If you listen carefully, you will hear their questions and begin to understand their needs.
Then we can refer to those questions in talking about faith.



NEEDS

SECURITY

: concerned about having adequate food, clothing, shelter and money for themselves and their family : personal safety from danger : shy away from taking risks : hesitant to try new things : slow to trust someone else : slow to accept what they consider to be new ideas : (desire material things) : (always doing new things) A friend they can count on A friend who can guide them into the knowledge of a God they can count on

AFFECTION

: desire to be included in a group : need to feel they belong : need to be loved : even try to force friendships : act out of fear and loneliness : (always doing things to please others) To be invited to a group of caring people Learn of a God who cares for them and who has even prepared a place for them

ESTEEM

: wants to be seen as significant : need to be recognized for specific reasons : to be treated by others as respect : to have their opinions considered : (desire material things) : (always doing things to please others) Need to be encouraged to become involved in service See service as a response to the Servant

GROWTH

: desire to be stretched : experience new things : likes challenges : long to expand their horizons, improve themselves or gain deeper understanding of their lifes : want to be all they were meant to be and live on “the growing” edge : to be challenged with opportunities through which they will learn : (always doing new things) Friendship from the “movers and thinkers” of the faith, people who will show them that faith is life’s greatest challenge

BUILDING

1. Make friendships a priority

• Require time
  
• Priority over other activities

2. Accept others

• Accept people without necessarily condoning what they may do or how they may act
  
• Deal with what kept them from becoming all that God intended them to be
  
• See people in terms of their potential
  
• See her as a person of worth
  
• Accept people as God accepts them

Our acceptance becomes a living example of God’s acceptance. They will come to understabd abd experience the acceptance of God as we live it out with them

3. Listen actively

• Requires conscious effort
  
• Move beyond words to “hear” the nonverbal clues given by a person
  
• In tone of voice, facial expressions and the chioce and order of words
  
• Hear what is really being said
  
• Determind our friends’ background and needs
  
• By stories of daily experiences which reveal their spiritual quests
  
• Every tory hides a truth, question, etc
  
• (Most people are unaware of all they are sharing as they narrate their everyday stories
  
• discover how to introduce God to that person at her point of interest and need
  
• Your friends’ words and ways tell you a lot about her

4. Listening helps you to discover the religious convictions of your friend.

• People give clues to their beliefs in speech and behaviour
  These clues must be matched up to the part of God’s story that will be good news for the seeker
  
• Ask yourself how you can relate God’s love to the person in the most natural and direct way
  
• Determine whether your friend need your companionship, your actions or your words
  
• Determind which words are the most important and meaningful at that moment
  Keep confidence with your friends
  
• As you listen carefully, you learn much about others
  
• Refrain from relating what you know to anyone

If you break confidence. Your credibility as a friend and witness will be lowered.

If your friend can't trust you. Christ's representative, how can she trust Christ?

Listening draws you silently into the lines of others. Sharing draws you silently into the lives of others

Differences in personalities and experiences relate better to some people than others (similar problems)

Listen carefully to hear questions being asked. Refer to those questions by talking about faith