Sambit Bal writes these lines which express the clear-headed thinking that England had – a strategy that helped them beat both India (undefeated until that point in the Cup) and consistent New Zealand) in back to back, must-win games: “England’s first 20 overs against India brought 145 runs without a wicket. India managed 83 for 1 (in reply). England’s first 20 overs today brought them 133 runs for one wicket. New Zealand crumbled to 87 for 4 (in reply).” In other words, England are trying to play the first 20 overs of the 50 Over One Day International format like a T20 game! While other teams focus only on not losing wickets, England focused on not just losing wickets but also on not losing tempo. This strategy has given them two wins in two must-win games – no mean achievement as it has come in a World Cup at home, where there is huge pressure to perform!
Do you have strategy when it comes to sharing the Gospel with a friend from another faith? Apostle Paul had. In his presentation of the Gospel with Athens, he had this strategy: to go from what the audience knew and appreciated to what the audience did not know and may find offensive. So, he began with the appreciation of their religiosity in Acts 17:22 (not offensive) before he spoke about the audience’s need for repentance and preparation to face the coming the day of judgement in Acts 17:30-31 (offensive). With this strategy in mind, Apostle Paul quoted from a secular, non-biblical poet they were familiar with in Acts 17:28 (not offensive) before he made plain the Bible Truth about the need for repentance and a preparedness for the day of judgement in Acts 17:30-31 (offensive). Paul perhaps learnt this approach from his Lord Jesus who first talked about thirst with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:7 (not offensive), before he talked about her five failed marriages and her present live-in relationships in John 4:16-18 (offensive).
Find something to genuinely appreciate in the person you are sharing the Gospel with. Or talk about what the person you are sharing the Gospel with is already interested in (may be movies, music or sports). You may have to do the home-work of reading-up on those topics of interest to those you are sharing the Good News with. Don’t mind that sweat. You may also talk about the fact that God loves the person. This fact most people appreciate in this love-starved world. “You were in the mind of God, before you even entered the womb of your mother! That is what the Bible says in Ephesians 1 and Psalm 139” – that’s one possible line in the Genesis of your evangelistic conversation with that Gospel-ignorant person. But in the Revelation of your Gospel presentation there should be a clear mention of repentance, uniqueness of Jesus, and eternal hell. While talking about hell, do not use “You”, but use “We” instead. “If we reject Jesus the only way, then we will go to hell!” – that sounds better than, “If you reject Jesus, you will go to hell!” This is a big subject and I have just scratched the surface.
(Rev. Dr. Duke Jeyaraj is the founder of Grabbing the Google Gen from Gehenna Mission, the G4 Mission. This is a listener-supported ministry. Find out more at http://www.dukev.org. Read more articles like this at www.dukewords.com).
