Which of the following are similar to the ways you've served Christ in your family? [check all that apply]
• Taught your kids to see God's glory in nature
• Washed the dishes without being asked
• Played a board game with your kids
• Encouraged your wife to finish her master's degree
• Attended a child's open house at school
• Worked fewer hours to be with your family
• Set an example of a godly prayer life for your children
• Held a crying child
• Swung on the tire swing with your daughter
• Told your wife why you're still in love with her
• Told your son he's got what it takes
• Coached soccer
• Let you child correct you now and then
• Fixed the vacuum cleaner
• Taught your sons to ride a bike
• Listened patiently to a complaint of your wife
• Taped your child's artwork to your office wall
• Admitted to your kids that you were wrong
• Told your children how Christ entered your life
• Cleaned up vomit
• Taught your children to love books
• Been romantic without expecting sex
• Told your daughter she's smart/beautiful
• Set standards for your kids and stuck to them
• Dealt graciously with a busybody neighbor
• Peeled carrots
• Watched movies together
Puncturing Stereotypes Theme of the Week: Witnessing That's Not Weird Wednesday, June 23, 2004
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Men of IntegrityMay/June 2004Puncturing StereotypesTheme of the Week: Witnessing That's Not WeirdWednesday, June 2373
Key Bible Verses: I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ. I do all this to spread the Good News (1 Corinthians 9:22—23). Bonus Reading:1 Corinthians 9:19b—23
I asked some college students to describe an evangelical Christian in the eyes of the average American. Part of the list they came up with: pushy, manipulative, politically conservative, know-it-all, out of touch, no sense of humor …
A non-Christian who believes all Christians are this way will have a hard time hearing the gospel. So the sower must work to break the unbeliever's stereotypes so he'll be able to listen. How?
Don't be pushy or manipulative. Don't feel that every conversation with your neighbor must be turned to spiritual issues.
Don't voice all your political viewpoints. Your co-worker doesn't have to know how you feel about welfare reform, capital punishment, and Rush Limbaugh. Maybe it's better that he doesn't, if you want to talk about God later.
Don't know everything. On some subjects, withhold your opinion. Tell him you're still thinking about it. Ask for his.
Stay in touch. Who won the World Series this year? What was on TV last night? Do you care about anything that he cares about?
Lighten up. Nothing shatters the stereotype of arrogance and stuffiness as fast as the ability to laugh—especially at yourself.
—Tim Downs in Finding Common Ground
My Response: What stereotype do I need to dispel?
Thought to Apply: Love them until they ask us why.
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