“Meeting People Where They Are”


BIBLE READING: Acts 17- 21

                How was Paul so successful in reaching the lost with the message of Jesus?  One of the reasons for Paul’s success was due to his ability to meet people where they are and lead them to Jesus.  A great example of this is found in Acts 17.  When Paul walks into Athens, he is walking into a place that was said to have more altars to idols, than people.  To introduce them to Jesus, he doesn’t begin by condemning their beliefs, but he rather meets them where they are.  On his way in, he notices an altar that was built to the Unknown God.  Paul reveals to them that their unknown God, was His God.  In finding that common ground, Paul was able to successfully teach them about Christ.  We live in a world that offers several different churches that all believe all kinds of different things.  Maybe if we began our teaching of the Truth to them by focusing on our common ground, then we will be able to share with them what makes the Church different.  If Paul had gone into Athens with “guns blazing” so to speak, they might have stoned him before he had the opportunity.  Likewise, if we go into the world to evangelize but focus on what they are doing wrong, they will shut us out and end any opportunity to reach them.  We must never compromise the Truth by endorsing religious error; by establishing a strong foundation of common ground it will open the door for them being more receptive to the Truth.

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