The Fail-Proof Strategy for Gospel Impact
Four First Century Practices for Making Disciples in the Modern Era
What do you do when you hear a knock on your front door?
At our house, not much. No one moves (except me). Everyone hides. Maybe they look through the blinds to see who it is. Safety is a big deal, so I get it. Sort of.
We’ve come to a place where everyone is suspect. Everyone, including you and me, is guilty until proven worthy of our trust.
Everyone, including you and me, is guilty until proven worthy of our trust.
I’ve noticed that even when people walk in the neighborhood, they will move to the other side of the street to pass. They keep their head down and their earbuds secure. They’re afraid. Maybe they’re not afraid for their personal safety, but they have little interest in forging any kind of new relationship that would require anything from them.
A lot of relationships haven’t worked out for us. Family hasn’t always measured up to its billing. Romantic relationships often create more pain than gain. And the everyday rancor on social media makes us all skittish.
All that to illustrate that it’s going to take more work, more time, and more grace for Christians to connect with people and make disciples of Jesus in this modern.
We Begin with a Credibility Deficit
Perhaps there was a time when being a Christian gave us instant credibility. That day has long passed. We don’t start at zero with people. We start somewhere below that. Yet, many of us act as if the fact we have good news—The Good News—people should listen. And if they don’t, we assume the fault is theirs alone.
We are for them. If they receive our message, then “hallelujah,” and we are with them. If they don’t, we turn against them. It’s now us against them.
That is the misguided missiology that has hollowed our witness in the public square.
In Acts 17, we see the apostle Paul take a different approach. When he arrived in Athens, he noticed and grieved over the spiritual depravity and despair of the city. The people were obviously smart, but they were searching for hope.
Paul taught in the Jewish synagogue and reasoned in the marketplace every day. Every day. And many, maybe most, of the noted philosophers made fun of him and rejected him. Despite that, he was invited to the Aeropagus—a courtyard where city leaders and thinkers congregated each day. (In my town, they all meet at Hardee’s every morning.)
His message was strange to them, but they were curious. So, he accepted their invitation, shared the Gospel in a way they could relate to, and called them to repent.
Here’s what happened:
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to ridicule him, but others said, “We’d like to hear from you again about this.” 33 So Paul left their presence. 34 However, some people joined him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them. Acts 17:32-34
Four Practices for Building a Platform of Trust
What does it take to make disciples in the modern era? Here are four practices for a fail-proof strategy for Gospel impact that we learn from Paul’s time in Athens:
Show up and keep showing up.
It had to be awkward and maybe discouraging, but Paul showed up every day. He met people where they lived and worked, and he stayed engaged.
Our Gospel work falls short, not because the Gospel lacks power, but because we lack the resolve, love, patience or whatever else that’s necessary to build trust with those we claim to care about so much. If we don’t care about what other people care about, we cannot expect them to listen to us.
If we don’t care about what other people care about, we cannot expect them to listen to us.
So, show up at the open houses and ribbon cuttings. Show up to volunteer at non-church events. Show up to serve people who can’t serve you. Show up at the HOA, city council, or school board meetings—not to complain, but to support and serve.
Take the opportunities you get.
Paul didn’t get to do everything he wanted to do in Athens, but he was faithful with the opportunities his neighbors gave him.
We don’t get invited closer if we’re elitist about where we go and what we will do. If for example, the only way you serve others is through your church programming, your missiology has run amuck.
Serving one day at a charity golf tournament, at a school field day, or at a community food pantry open doors wide for Gospel impact.
Honor the neighbors you’re called to love.
Paul affirmed the people of Athens for their interest in religious things and then offered them a better, more faithful way forward to worship the true God. As “ignorant” of the truth as they were, he did not disparage them. He even reminded them that God had long overlooked “times of ignorance,” of which he personally had been swept up in.
He put himself beside them, not above them.
Moral superiority is not the posture of a disciple-making Christian. Sola Gratia—grace alone—is our platform for Gospel witness.
Moral superiority is not the posture of a disciple-making Christian. Sola Gratia—grace alone—is our platform for Gospel witness.
Invite people to repent and follow Jesus.
Paul did not avoid the urgent and essential nature of the Gospel, and neither should we. We really haven’t shared the Gospel if we stop short of telling people of the necessary death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, and asking them to turn from sin and follow Jesus.
But neither do we reject the people who are not quite ready to respond in faith. To Paul, some sneered, others wanted to hear more, and still others joined him immediately.
Find ways to share the Gospel intentionally and naturally. Not everyone will listen, but most will, and many will be saved.
A Platform of Trust Worthy of the Gospel
Our kingdom impact rests on the foundation of trust we are willing to build.
Our kingdom impact rests on the foundation of trust we are willing to build.
Paul was an itinerate missionary, but he found ways in the short time he was in a city to build trust. Unlike Paul, most of us are planted in one community, but the mandate is the same. Build a platform of trust that is worthy of the Gospel you’re asking people to rest their lives upon. Do that, and you will never fail.
PICS OF THE WEEK
Lost Antler Ranch, Estes Park, CO
I was honored to be among a group of city movement leaders who gathered for a few days at the end of May in Estes Park, CO to learn from each other. I’m always encouraged by those folks, and the views aren’t too shabby either.
All Saints Chapel at The University of South, Sewanee, TN
My wife, Deborah, and I recently spent a couple of days in beautiful Sewanee. All Saints Chapel and the entire campus of The University of South are beautiful.
ICYBREEZE IS PRETTY COOL!
Last summer, we were looking for a way to help local families who needed air conditioning during the hottest heat of summer. In that search, we found Icybreeze. I called the company, and they were very clear that this is not a good solution for replacing home air conditioning, so we kept searching. But in that process, I became impressed with the company and the product. It’s an ice chest that also functions as a self-contained cooling unit. You can read all the details at the link below.
If you spend time at the ballpark, concerts, camping, or at the beach, you’re going to want to grab one of these coolers. Visit Icybreeze HERE to check them out. This is an affiliate link. So, if you use it, I’ll receive a 10% commission.
It’s a pretty cool product with a great story backed by a solid warranty. It would make a great Father’s Day gift, as well.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
Book Recommendation: The Boys of Pointe Du Hoc, by Douglas Brinkley
Podcast Recommendation: The Nateland Podcast, a great break from serious stuff.
Student Leadership: Student Leadership University, “Equipping students of today to be Christian leaders of tomorrow.” We’ve been connected with SLU for a number of years, and will take our daughter to SLU 301 in July.
EVERYONE’S WILSON
I’m the Executive Director of Everyone’s Wilson—a community transformation initiative. Our mission is to unite the Church to engage the community, so everyone thrives. Very simply, we’re passionate about helping Jesus-loving people live like missionaries in their local community through prayer, equipping, collaboration, and service.
To keep up with my work at Everyone’s Wilson, you can Follow Us on the Socials or Subscribe to the Everyone’s Wilson Newsletter Here.
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