The interview followed the typical interview format. When the interviewer got to the end of his questions he asked, "Do you have any questions for me?" Well, being well prepared, I popped out with the following question, "If I get this job, what are the three most important things for me to learn during my first week?" You can see this is a great question to ask on an interview. I imagined the interviewer thinking to himself, "This guy is a go-getter... He's really looking to improve his productivity...I've got to use this on my next job interview" and other such good things.
His response to my question was surprisingly quick and to the point. He didn't miss a beat and said, "First, learn how to greet a customer and find out what they are looking for or need. Second, you need to know how to operate our book finding system so you can find that book and put it in their hand. Third, learn how to operate the register and sell them the book."
What stayed with me though is his following comment. He said, "These three things are what everyone working here has to know first and do well." He went on to let me know training is available to any employee for anything in the business. First, they learn these three things and after that, it's up to the individual employee to initiate what they want to learn for their own advancement.
It struck me how this simple concept is focused, powerful and effective. Talk to customers, assist them in finding what they need and then show them how to get it for themselves. Simple.
Driving home from the interview I went over in my mind what had just been said. It occured to me this kind of simple, effective approach could be applied to Jesus followers. Here's what I mean:
Every person coming into a personal relationship with Jesus needs to know three important things.
1. How to engage in conversation with people who do not know Jesus.
When I say engage in conversation, I am including listening first to hear the heart needs of people. We don't need to artificially stear every conversation around to Jesus. I've done this and found I was focusing more on relieving my own percieved pressure to "witness" than anything else. The other person was just a prop for me to feel better about myself. We just need listen to people with an ear to hear the heart-level need that comes out.
2. How to share our story of finding Jesus.
You will be amazed how God will bring people into your life with needs connecting with your story of finding Jesus. In fact, we should expect this to happen because this is how God works. We have heart-felt needs. God meets them. Then someone else comes into our life with whom we can share how we were comforted by God.
3. How to lead someone in prayer starting their relationship with Jesus.
There is nothing like praying with another person and hearing them commit their lives to Jesus. It can be as simple as asking them to pray after you a simple prayer:
Jesus, I realize that you died for me on the cross. I believe that by your death I am forgiven. I believe that you were raised from the dead and you are Lord over all. Today I am surrendering my life to you and ask you to become my Lord and Savior. Help me to become the person you want me to be. Amen.
This may all sound simplistic. I think one reason we do not see more people coming into a relationship with Jesus is because we miss the important simple stuff. A comment was made by a conference speaker about a problem we have in the church. He pointed out that in the church we think we are supposed to help people be good. The problem with this is they can get "gooder and gooder" and still miss the vital thing that will actually transform their lives.
Talking about Jesus and sharing your story is not just for the spiritually hyperactive. It is part of normally following Jesus as a disciple. When we begin to follow Jesus we become partners with him in his mission of saving the lost.
Some may say leading others to Christ is not their gift. Spiritual gifts are how the Holy Spirit works through us to help others in the body of Christ grow in spiritual maturity. There is a gift of evangelism but that gift includes not only effectively bringing people to Jesus but also stimulating more believers to share with others. Sharing our story is the natural outflow of our love relationship with Jesus.
Doing these three things well is not just for those who are naturally outgoing. For example, look at Andrew in the gospels. Andrew is not known for anything he said or wrote. Andrew is known for one thing- introducing people to Jesus. He introduced his brother Peter to Jesus. He brought the boy with the small lunch to Jesus. When some Greeks who wanted to see Jesus came to Andrew and Phillip, he introduced them to Jesus. That's just about it--he introduced others to Jesus.
Let me ask you, "How are you doing with these three important things?" Don't get sidetracked from keeping the main thing the main thing. I challenge you to focus on these three things over the next thirty days.
Blessings on you.
John P. Holsey
thanks for keeping it real and to the point...
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