Recently, one of our team members, Ryan, was talking a 28 year old mate of his who had just started his own business. Do you know what motivated this young man to launch out on his own? It wasn’t the money. He believed that the universe was giving him signs.
There is a lot of interest in spiritual things in Australia. But a lot of that interest has the wrong focus.
How do we interest people like Ryan’s mate in learning more about Jesus?
Our director heard about a team in Switzerland who have found a way to interest young adults in Jesus who have a post-modern, individualist, materialistic mindset … people who think much like the young adults in Australia and America. They call their solution “the MyFriends Lifestyle”.
We started trying the MyFriends Lifestyle and helping others live this lifestyle over a year ago. It is not a silver bullet. We can not guarantee that any of our friends will come to faith in Jesus. But everyone who has tried it so far has seen God use them to impact someone’s life. Sometimes in a most unexpected way.
I want to start introducing the MyFriends Lifestyle to people in other cities in two weeks, and was wondering if could help me. I need some people who will give me honest feedback.
How about joining the pilot? I thought maybe you might have some friends who don’t yet know Jesus. Maybe you have talked to them about Jesus and they have shut you down.
I’m not going to ask you to memorize a Gospel presentation or even read one to your friends. We are going to practise some skills which will open the door for your friends to experience Jesus and then join you in reading the Bible.
We start on June 27 with a 90 minute webinar. That is kind of like watching a mini-series on TV, except you use a computer or cell phone and get to type in questions for me to answer. You also get a note taking outline. If you are busy that night or you are on holiday, the webinar is recorded so you can watch it later. After each webinar let me know what I can do to improve.
On the 27th we will be looking at the topics on the tread of this coin: Love, Pray and Care. Then for the next month we are going to be putting these things into action.
I know it takes time and encouragement to develop a lifestyle. I’ll be sending you a daily text message or email with some ideas to consider. Do the ones which appeal to you. Tell me the ones which I need to rewrite.
I think you will have a lot of fun with “Which of your friends could you do something with this weekend?” You might go on a hike, have a picnic, go clothes shopping, or go out for coffee.
Some days you will be invited to post something on our Facebook page. If you don’t do Facebook, relax. I don’t either. But I thought I might try it for a bit. It might be helpful for you to read how other people are putting the MyFriends Lifestyle into practise. It is a safe place to share your successes and disappointments. Only the people who are part of the pilot will be able to see what is written.
On July 25 the webinar will focus on the outer rim. I remember how I responded when I first saw the word “Share”. Cold sweat started forming on my palms. I’m an introvert who hates confrontation. But a friend pointed me to Acts 1:8 which says that God will give us His power to be his witnesses. Our main aim this month is to learn the skill of asking people if we can pray for them.
Ryan Sherring noticed that one of the people at the gym was looking very tired one day. He asked what was happening and the man said he was having trouble sleeping at night. Ryan explained that when he had trouble sleeping he prayed to Jesus and then he would fall asleep right away. Ryan then asked the man if he could pray him. The man readily agreed and Ryan said a 30 second prayer right there in the gym.
On August 22 the webinar will focus on inviting people to study the Bible with you. You don’t need to be a Bible expert. You don’t even need to be able to teach. You do need to be able to read, or ask someone else to read, a series of questions. My favourite: “What does this passage tell us about Jesus or God?” Read the question and listen to what your friend says. Then read the next question.
On September 19 the webinar will focus on celebrating what God has done. You will also have time to tell me what worked well and what needs improvement.
I think it is going to be a great journey together — for us and for our friends.
I know that this style of learning is not for everyone. But maybe it is for you. The pilot is free.