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REVIEW 5 weeks in 60 seconds A new identity: Ambassadors for Christ (all Christians) Because God is sovereign & we’re responsible: Talk with God about our friends before talking with friends about God 7 Principles of Evangelism / “Listening to Hear” 5 Thresholds of Faith: Trust, Curiosity, Open to Change, Seeking, Entering Kingdom

From Meandering to Seeking THE 5 THRESHOLDS From Meandering to Seeking What’s this stage look like? Already have their trust, so can speak into their life Already curious, so they’ve sought understanding Already open to change (which is HUGE) With cynicism, antagonism and indifference behind them, questions are genuine – seeking real answers (not just deflection or argument)

From Meandering to Seeking THE 5 THRESHOLDS From Meandering to Seeking What’s this stage look like? Marks of someone seeking: Seeks Jesus, not just “God” in general They’re “counting the cost” of being Jesus’ disciple Spend time with Christians

From Meandering to Seeking THE 5 THRESHOLDS From Meandering to Seeking What’s this stage look like? Looks different than “phantom seekers” Can look like seeking, but… Lacks urgency Not intentional (may accept our offers to meet, but not pursue us) Questions not about seeking final answers

From Meandering to Seeking THE 5 THRESHOLDS From Meandering to Seeking How we can help Live out the Kingdom before them Often converted to community before Christ (disciples) Show what it’s like to build life on Christ’s Word Share how it plays out in our lives Open your prayer life to them Model how one can interact with Jesus directly

From Meandering to Seeking THE 5 THRESHOLDS From Meandering to Seeking How we can help Provide satisfying answers to initial questions Moderns: abstract, theoretical, propositional answers helpful (e.g. Chinese Atheist) Postmoderns: Answers grounded in real, personal experience (honesty begets honesty)

From Meandering to Seeking THE 5 THRESHOLDS From Meandering to Seeking How we can help ATTIC approach to apologetics Affirm (bless their curiosity) Translate (your own words, not a book’s) Transparent (show own struggles) Insert self in a “case study” Challenge (“What about you?”)

From Meandering to Seeking THE 5 THRESHOLDS From Meandering to Seeking How we can help Model Seeking Share own story of beginning to seek Show you don’t “arrive” when become a Christian, but seek understanding, growth and relationship Create safe places for people to seek Community group? Worship service? Your home?

From Meandering to Seeking THE 5 THRESHOLDS From Meandering to Seeking How we can help Give them what they need most: Scripture! Where they encounter Jesus directly Guiding vs. Shielding “Shielding” takes out explicit Christian content (can be good at earlier thresholds, but not here) Guides help interpret experience (i.e. what worship is and why we do it)

From Meandering to Seeking THE 5 THRESHOLDS From Meandering to Seeking How we can help Ask good questions: “What are your questions?” “What barriers to belief do you see in your life?” “What’s keeping you from following Jesus?” “What do you need from God? A sign?” Can point these out – help them connect the dots

THE 5 THRESHOLDS Entering the Kingdom Seeking not meant to go on forever The decision A major decision, comes with a cost Matthew 13 – compared to buying a field, or a pearl Zacchaeus – saw a radical change was required Not to just follow Jesus’ example & be more spiritual but to put all your eggs in Jesus’ Easter basket

THE 5 THRESHOLDS Entering the Kingdom How we can help Help them focus on Jesus / central issues Can we trust the Bible (& what it says about Jesus)? Do non Christian really deserve eternal punishment? Is Jesus really the only way to God? How can someone have “eternal life”?

THE 5 THRESHOLDS Entering the Kingdom How we can help Help them resolve questions and encourage them to act on them Ask: “What questions/concerns holding you back?” Don’t need to know or understand everything to enter kingdom Like marriage: “take the plunge” without knowing everything about spouse, but act on what do know

THE 5 THRESHOLDS Entering the Kingdom How we can help Be appropriately urgent You’re helping bust people out of Satan’s kingdom More spiritual opposition requires more intentional prayer, encouragement and challenge Near the “goal line” football players run their “Red Zone” offense. This is the spiritual “Red Zone!” What would not be appropriate before is now

THE 5 THRESHOLDS Entering the Kingdom How we can help Be clear, but don’t over-simplify “Just pray this prayer” doesn’t prepare them to sell all to follow Jesus Consider who they are, what they grasp already Contextualize the gospel for them Jesus preached His Gospel in many different ways to many different people

THE 5 THRESHOLDS Entering the Kingdom How we can help Challenge! Actually invite them into the Kingdom Jesus did this. Peter did this. Paul did this. And trust God for the results (will keep our challenge from digressing into manipulation or coercion)

THE 5 THRESHOLDS 5 More Weeks Greg Johnson Role of hospitality in being Christ’s ambassadors Gospel Boot Camp Learn to communicate the Gospel in a clear, logical manner with any person in any setting