People Don’t ‘Buy’ Solutions to Problems They Don’t Have
Why can’t we get it through our thick heads that unchurched, non-Christian people aren’t ‘buying’ Christianity? Because they don’t think they have any problems…at least none our faith can solve.
Let’s face it, a lot of people choose not to think. They just do. They do what they feel. Unconsciously, they do what their daddy did, what feels good, what they won’t get made fun of for, what gets them the most strokes, the most power or the most sex. That’s what they’re about.
Here’s my short list of problems people have or will have, whether they acknowledge them or not…
I’m going to die…I just don’t really believe it. If I have to die and there’s a good place to go, I’d like to go there.
I don’t want anyone I care about to get sick, get hurt or die.
I want to feel good about myself, but my past is a trainwreck.
I want to matter and make a difference, but I have no idea how.
If I marry, I want it to be good and I don’t want to be divorced.
If I have kids, I want them to be healthy and happy.
I want to belong with some people…to be known and accepted. I want to be loved for who I am, not just what I can do for people.
Jesus Christ has solutions to every single one of these problems. If not solutions, answers. Evangelicals keep talking about “giving your life to Christ” and “Inviting Jesus into your heart” and “surrendering to God’s call on your life”. My goodness…no wonder ‘outsiders’ stay outside. How do you connect all that “church-speak” to the problems I listed? You can start talking, but an ‘outsider’ will be through listening long before you shut up.
God gave us one mouth but two ears. That’s a clue right there. If we could listen to people long enough to find out what their problem is, maybe they’d be interested in our solution….or better, God’s solution.
Many people…especially Americans, live wrinkle-free lives for long periods of time. But eventually, something happens to disrupt the status quo. An illness, a job loss, a financial crisis, the death of someone close, a troubled son or daughter, a breech in a close relationship (like a divorce or a breakup), a move that turns out to be a disaster, or a realization that you’re alone…that no one knows you or really cares about you. These are disruptions. This is stuff that puts people in “trouble mode”. This is when people start to open up to answers God has for them. It’s been said, “God won’t be all you need ‘til He’s all you have.” True statement.
Before you go charging into someone with the Gospel, ask God “What would you have me know about this person?” “What would you have me say or do here?” And follow what He says. If the person isn’t disrupted….if they don’t ‘have any problems’, God’s likely going to tell you to “just love them”. That’s what I get most of the time. But as you love them over time, you’ll learn their problems. And you’ll be there when they get disrupted. Then you can offer a solution to their problem, presented in a personal, authentic way.
Will they ‘buy’? Will they embrace your Jesus?
No way to know, but that’s not your job. “You report, they decide.” Outcomes are God’s deal. Our role is to step up and not chicken out. “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them” says Jesus in John 6:44. God does the work, and thus He gets all the glory when someone becomes a Christ-follower. If we obey what God puts us up to…if we love and serve and pray consistently, that’s our gig.
Question: Who are the ‘outsiders’ you are committed to? Other than your church friends, who will you be there for when they hit disruption? Tell us here.
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Responses (4)
This is a good message and was in line with Billy’s sermon today at Buckhead Church. What am I doing? I am making a better effort to invite unchurched people to Church… especially people at my office. Invited someone this week in fact. I need to pray more consistently though.
Isn’t it great to have a church where you can invite people and not have to apologize or rationalize stuff? If any group of people should be investing and inviting, it’s us. My son and his family attends Athens Church. He has his own business and ended up letting an employee go, only to realize he’d invited them to come to church the following Sunday. They came, sat together and they’ve continued to come. To me, it showed that someone’s spiritual destination supercedes their work destination, and when we truly want what’s best for our employees, we just can’t hide Jesus from them. “Man up” Heath…you’re in a mission field!
I agree with your premise and agree it is a seller’s issue and not the buyer’s issue. I believe the seller in this case isn’t clear I why he needs Jesus in his life. It is like selling a product you don’t believe in but are obligated to sell it because it is your job.
Let’s start with those who witness for Christ. Why is Jesus important in your life? If you can answer this question then you can follow your blog advice and seek first to understand and then be understood.
Thanks for helping me gain clarity on this issue.
You got it Charlie. If there’s anyone who gets this, it’s you!