"Planned Spontaneity:  Starting Spiritual Conversations"

KINGDOM CONVERSATIONS

• John 4:6-29 Jesus with Samaritan Woman• John 8:1-11 Jesus with the woman taken in

act of adultery• John 5:1-15 Jesus and the man at the pool of

Bethesda • Luke 7:36-50 Jesus and the woman with the

alabaster vial• Matthew 19:16ff The Rich Young Man• John 3:1ff Jesus teaches Nicodemous • Luke 19:1ff Jesus and Zaccheus

ASSIGNMENT CONVERSATIONS VS CONVERSIONS

Make a list of insights drawn from Jesus’ way of talking with people.

How is the conversation started? Who starts it? What tension is in the conversation? Who is listening? Who speaks? What is unique about the conversation? What is the good news? (Bad news?) What is the outcome of the conversation? What can we learn from the conversation?

KINGDOM CONVERSATIONS

• John 4:6-29 Jesus with Samaritan Woman• John 8:1-11 Jesus with the woman taken in

act of adultery• John 5:1-15 Jesus and the man at the pool of

Bethesda • Luke 7:36-50 Jesus and the woman with the

alabaster vial• Matthew 19:16ff The Rich Young Man• John 3:1ff Jesus teaches Nicodemous • Luke 19:1ff Jesus and Zaccheus

Jesus’ Conversations with People

A B

A = the position of a person arguing against Jesus.B = the position the arguing person expects Jesus to takeJesus doesn’t respond with stronger logic and persuasion.

He moves the discussion to a whole new level (C) because sometimes people frame questions within false assumptions and he doesn’t want to humiliate the person he is speaking with.

More Ready Than You Think: The Power of Everyday Conversations 27-29 Brian McLaren

C

EVERY GOOD CONVERSATION

BEGINS WITH

GOOD LISTENING

Jesus’ Conversations with People

• Short on answers – long on questions• Short on sermons – long on

conversations• Short on abstractions and propositions –

long on stories and parables• Short on telling you what to think – long

on challenging you to think for yourself• Short on condemning the non-religious –

long on confronting the religious

The key to building relationships is mutual self

disclosure.

Daniel Psaute

Remember… Jesus is already there (Missio Dei); it is the Father’s mission—he invites us into it.

Peak interest through questions—don’t dump the whole load.

Listen…respond Find connection points Be ready to share your story—no Christianese

Soren Kierkegaard’s PARABLES ON EVANGELISM

Soren Kierkegaard’s PARABLES ON EVANGELISM

A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer.

Bruce Lee

What Do Questions Do?

• Reveal, lead, teach, give identity, point, create, convict, present options, point out priorities, subvert, • ILL. Socratic method – not debate but questions designed to open dialogue and mutual understanding.

RESOURCES

More Ready Than You Realize, McLaren Just Walk Across The Room, Bill Hybels