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It's a Conversation, Not a Presentation

On Saturday, October 10, several of us attended the Gideons' Conversations class, where we were challenged to become more intentional about sharing our faith—even with a stranger in the Walmart parking lot! One thing that especially stayed with me was the reminder that sharing our faith is a conversation, not a presentation. There's a difference. A presentation can become focused on what we want to say, while a conversation makes room for what the other person has to say. It means listening, asking questions, and taking a genuine interest in the person standing in front of us. Our goal isn't simply to get through a message. It's to share the hope we have in Jesus in a way that reflects His love.

Peter reminds us to be ready to share the reason for the hope we have, but to do so with "gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15). The class introduced a simple approach called L.E.A.P.: Listen, Empathize, Ask, and Pray. Notice where it begins—not with talking, but with listening. We need to be willing to hear someone's story, understand their struggles, and recognize their questions. Sometimes the hardest part is moving from listening and empathizing to asking questions that open the door to talking about God. It might be as simple as asking, "Would you mind if I shared something that has helped me?" That gives the other person an opportunity to say yes or no. We're not trying to force the conversation in a particular direction, but looking for opportunities to share the hope we have in Christ with gentleness and respect.

So here's my challenge to all of us: Be willing to have the conversation, but don't feel like you have to control where it goes. Ask God to give you opportunities to share your faith, the courage to speak when appropriate, and the wisdom to know when to listen. Sometimes a conversation may never get beyond listening and showing compassion, and that's okay. Our responsibility is to be faithful in the opportunities God gives us, trusting Him with the results. And when those opportunities come, may the people we encounter experience something of the love and grace of Jesus through us.

In Christ,

Pastor John