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"Just Thinking About Jesus"

I was wondering today about how I could start meaningful, spiritual conversations with others whom I know are not Christians but perhaps once were. I wondered how I would come across if I was deep in thought and he or she asked me, "What are you so deep in thought about?" and I replied, "I was just thinking about Jesus." I wouldn't want it to be annoying, just bridging.

I was reading over an article adapted from The Evangelism Study Bible, that explored responding to people who have had a bad experience with Christianity. I found their five reminders worth repeating and good for keeping in the back of your mind, once practiced in your "holy imagination" (aka, spiritual reflection).

1. Don't be defensive. Remembering that it isn't so much that you do not agree, but HOW you disagree that will stick in their minds when they walk away. Take into yourself their comments as if you were the one who did them wrong and then reflect it back to them; with something like, "Man, that must have really hurt! I am soooo sorry that happened to you." In a word, Stay humble.

2. Good News = Jesus, not Christians. Everyone had responded in ways they wish they hadn't and been hypocritical at one time or another. Admit that  those people were wrong if they acted that way but not every Christian is like that. Over 80% of Americans confess to be "Christian," which seems hard to believe, but believing there are actors, posers, and impostors out there isn't. Talk about Jesus and ask them how he or she would imagine He would have responded to them. Talk about people you mutually know who are good examples of Christ and point to them as being better displays of what Christianity is about. This melds into #3 and #4...

3. Introduce them to true followers of Christ, or what a Christian is supposed to look/act like, "Hey, let me introduce you to a gal who loves the Lord." Just but be sure of your timing and that you haven't caught your 'example' in the crossfires of something!

4. Hypocrites are EVERYwhere. People haven't stopped going to the Reds play just because of Pete Rose, or cheering for the Falcons because of Vick's betting on dogs. The games are still the same, and so is the gospel even when Christians make it look bad (reconsider #2).

5. Excuses are easy and lazy. I overheard our youth pastor saying to the kids in the youth group that excuses are like butts: everyone has one and they typically stink! The kids laughed about it but stated how it made sense. Excuses are used so we don't have to take the energy necessary to think deeper about something (much like profanity = the attempt of the feeble mind to express itself forcefully). If your relationship with them is strong enough, reflect with them on, "I wonder what God would say about the excuses we use?" God points us to His Son Jesus and asks us what are we doing with Him, about Him, and for Him.

I would a #6,
6. Be sure to reaffirm your love for them. God loves them and will never stop. You have a relationship with others no one else may have and God wants to use you in their lives to bridge the gap between Him and them. Loving them right where they are, excuses and all, is the least you can do. Be sure they know you love them when you part so that love has the last word. I have found when I do this, the next time we meet is much more receptive and at times exciting and although few and far between, we actually pick up where we left off!

I would love to hear which of these five/six have you had experience with?
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