A dear friend and member of our congregation, Ron, got up to speak about the six months he and his wife, Nancy, had just spent in Mexico ministering to tourists and locals by serving as an interim pastor. It was obvious they had been somewhere warm because their beautiful tans contrasted greatly with our pallid North Dakota skin. Ron reached the platform, graciously took the microphone from the pastor, turned to face the congregation, and simply said, "I don't want to hear another word about my outward tan from the sun. I want to talk about how to get a beautiful tan on the inside from the Son."

God is not looking at our outward appearances, but straight into our hearts. It is our hearts that need the Son. In our world filled with judgments based on appearance, it is very difficult to worry about how tan we are on the inside, especially for those who do not know the Son.

This month, purchase several trial-size sunscreen bottles and attach to each an invitation to a free barbecue in the park. For example:

"The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."-Galatians 2:20

Please join us for free hot dogs, soda, and real conversation at Hillside Park, shelter #4, at 5 p.m. today.

Throughout the day, hand out the bottles to people at the pool, skate park, bike path, and park. At 4:30 p.m., meet at the shelter for a time of prayer for the people you have invited and start cooking hot dogs. Enjoy each other's fellowship, and anticipate God bringing others to join you. Spend time getting to know those who come. Follow God's leading in relaxed conversation. Share your own journey to the Son.

You can also:

• Text a friend or family member a personalized verse of Scripture.
  
  
• Take a candid shot of yourself or your family and send it to someone you have not spoken to in a long time.
  
  
• Attend a local teen band concert and pay double to get in.
  
  

Originally published online at SmallGroups.com, July 8, 2007.

Read more from 'Ideas'

				Try an Issue of Leadership Free! Name Street Address City/State/Zip E-mail Address No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders. If you decide you want to keep Leadership coming, honor your invoice for just $22.00 and receive three more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless. Give Leadership as a gift Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!