The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” - John 4:9
How can we start a conversation about God? Start talking about things the other person understands. Jesus started with a bucket! Next, make sure you show interest in people as people. Jesus cared about the Samaritan woman’s personal problems, and she knew it. Don’t be sidetracked. The woman wanted to start arguing about which church to go to, but Jesus reminded her that it was the Person she worshiped that was important, not the place of worship.
Don’t be shocked. Know your world and what’s going on out there; there is a difference between isolation and separation. Jesus was never isolated from sinners, but he was separate from sin. Next, realize that sin is a symptom of the real problem—a soul-thirst only God can quench. Tell people that Jesus is the answer to their thirsty quest. Don’t be afraid to talk about salvation, souls, and sin; Jesus did.
Talk naturally. You should be able to talk about your faith as freely as you do about your family. Jesus made spiritual talk easy and comfortable for others, because it was easy and comfortable for him. Be sure not to put on a special voice when you talk about God—use your usual one!
And, finally, don’t run after your prospective converts; Jesus didn’t. When they’ve had enough, let them go—but pray for them. And then watch them come back with their friends. What joy! Talking of truth satisfies as nothing else can. You may even conquer your appetite the way Jesus did, just with the fullness of it all!
For Further Study: John 4:9-15
Excerpted from The One Year Devotions for Women, Copyright ©2000 by Jill Briscoe. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.
For more from Jill Briscoe, please visit TellingtheTruth.org.
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