B14 In Their Environment
List of the Online Lessons: A B C D E F G H
B14 In Their Environment
When Jesus talks with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4), initially, it looks like „personal evangelism.“ In fact, Jesus‘ purpose is much greater. At the earliest opportunity, he says, „Go, call your husband.“ Jesus wants to enter her relational circle! As a result, the woman brings the whole town to Him and the locals urge Him to stay. (John 4:28-30; John 4:39-42)
When Zacheus heard about Jesus, he wanted to „see him at least „. (Luke 19:1-11) What will the Master do when He sees this short man on a tree and recognizes his desire? Jesus doesn’t say, „Hey buddy, I’ll see you at the evangelistic meeting on Sunday.“ He stops and says, „Get down, I must stay in your house, today.” Notice that Jesus wants to get also into Zacheus‘ house. He wants to transform his entire household, and even wider circle of his acquaintances, because very famous sinners were around!
Jesus entered the environment of the people
and actively transformed it!
Being an example himself, Jesus taught His disciples to make contact with unbelievers in such a way that they directly entered their households (Luke 10:5-9; Matthew 10:1-16; Luke 9:1-6). Entering unbeliever’s households was a principle which the Lord himself demonstrated many times (Luke 5:27-32; John 11:1-46; 12: 9-11), he taught it his disciples (Luke 10:5-9; Matthew 10:1-16; Luke 9:1-6) and it was carried out by generations of later disciples (Acts 10:1-11.18; 16:12-15; 16:26-34; 18:7, 18:8; 1 Corinthians 1:14-17, 16:15.18).
Meeting in houses of non-believers is quite powerful thing! I immediately asked one George, who received Jesus with me, about his family and friends. I encouraged him to tell them about his new experience with Jesus and also about his experience with Bible reading, and to arrange such Discovery with them – that I would be happy to help him.
At first, he protested that they wouldn’t be interested; they would throw him out, and such. But a few weeks later, he came to me for a meeting and without a previous warning he brought a colleague from work with him. That was the first step! He invited a non-believer to Discovery at my home. Later I was surprised as he invited me to his home for dinner; he said he would cook! So I went. There was also George’s father and younger brother whom I had never seen before. After an hour and half I said that I was enjoying time with them, but that I didn’t want to bother them, anymore. The father said: „Do you have anything else today that you have to go?“ „I don’t.“ – „Just stay, then…“ And the total time of my visit in a friendly conversation reached almost three hours. In addition to work and construction of their house, we talked also about Jesus, my story, my other experience with Jesus, the Bible, I told them the story of Saul of Tarsus, and challenged them to try to address Jesus, too.
I mean: Don’t be afraid to go to your unbelieving friends‘ environment! It can be their favorite pub, or even their own household. (It might be good to teach some Christians in advance about the basic etiquette, how to behave in someone’s home. But from the perspective of Jesus‘ calling, it’s better to go and make a mistake and learn from it, than not to go!)
When the friends from my club first invited me to the pub where they normally go after the meetings, I didn’t feel like going. I wouldn’t know what to do there! Yes, I’ve been to a restaurant many times for a meal, but never just for a chat. At first I was feeling a little „stiffed“ and I watched how it works there. I was also thinking in what way I wanted to be one of them and what I didn’t want to accept. And Jesus has blessed all it mightily! There, in their environment, I have deep conversations with them, nowadays. When it comes to it, in their environment, I draw the bridge over the gap of our bad things for them, and challenge them to invite Jesus into their lives. Or at least to address Him on the spot, and entrust Him a problem they had just told me about.
(In one of the future lessons, I am going to mention environments that might tempt or seduce us. It is really better to not go there! Or only with a believing friend.)
Lord Jesus, I am absolutely amazed what environments you actively entered, and what kind of people you spoke with and served to. You transformed their environments; you sanctified it. Show the way to my friends who are watching these videos; and protect them. Let them get out, and be the light wherever they go.