Dec. 29- UE 2

The Unexpected Adventure   "When You Just Don't Know"   James 5:19-20

Well, true to what Strobel and Mittelberg wrote in The Unexpected Adventure (UE), if you pray and actively look for ways to engage in spiritual conversations outside of the church, those opportunities will arise.  Here is what happened yesterday.

Yesterday Kristi was to have picked up our nephew, Matt, after gymnastics lessons.  She got delayed and called me to give Matt a ride home.  Not a problem since I was going right by the gym.  While I was waiting for Matt to finish up the session, I overheard a gentleman tell a third person he was reading a book about apologetics.  That was the opening.

I listen to a lot of Christian radio and one of my favorite on-air ministers is Ravi Zacharis, a world-renowned apologist.  I was able to start a conversation with the gentleman about Ravi which led to a brief discussion of where each of us went to church.  Now, this particular person was already a church attender, and since he was reading an apologetics book, most likely a Christian.  (I know there is no guarantee.)  But two things about this "chance" encounter were exciting.

First, God was faithful in providing an opportunity for a Christian-themed conversation outside of the walls of the church or Monday night Life Group.

Second, at least part of the conversation was overhead by a third individual.  It could very well be that this third person's interest in things Christian may have been sparked.  I will never know.  But what I do know is that two Christian men who were strangers were not afraid to discuss Christianity and church in a public setting.

This was an encouraging first step for me.  I prayed for something that is definitely in God's will and, true to His word, God answered the prayer.  Below is a link to several verses that reaffirm God's prayer answers when we pray in His will.  http://www.topical-bible-studies.org/07-0007.htm

Day 2  The first day of the UE was about simply getting in the game.  Having a willingness to commit to spread God's message to others.  Day 2's focus is on four words many Christians are fearful to utter-- "I....do....not....know".  While we have a duty as a Christian to constantly increase our knowledge of Kingdom things, few of us will ever become Ravis or Hanks.  So if we ever get into a witnessing situation where there are questions of which we are unsure of the answer, "I don't know" is a more honest, open way to respond as opposed to making something up, getting angry or just shutting down.  However, don't stop at "I don't know".  Offer to research the questions and set up a time to meet in the near future and provide those answers.  The fact that the other person has those questions opens the door to future conversations.

I have one particular friend who is very well read and likes to poke fun at the Christian faith.  Nothing malicious, but just enough to be an irritant.  He prides himself on having read the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Koran.  Yet he views all organized religions as superfluous.  In the past, I have allowed his challenging questions or remarks to get me agitated and walk away from the conversation.  My prayer now is that I will stay engaged in the conversation and offer to find answers to any questions that stump me.

We won't know the answer to every seeker's questions.  But we can share what Jesus has done for us and offer to be his/her Bible Answer Man (or Woman).  James 5:19-20

Input needed--Now that I am in a structured book study, I will be more regular in my blog entries, but am finding the Strobel/Mittelberg book and blog entries dominating my quiet time.  Any suggestions on how to keep the Bible and pray the center piece without losing the growth opportunities presented in the UE journey?