Right Then and There

For some people, practices like noticing, listening, praying, welcoming and asking questions just come naturally. But when it comes to sharing the gospel with those who believe differently than we do, here’s the game changer: realizing that these natural relationship builders are also natural steps toward sharing the gospel.

That’s precisely what being in our church’s 9 Arts of Spiritual Conversations class did for Jeanne—she realized that her relationship with a co-worker was a trusted opening for sharing the gospel! What happened as a result was fantastic!

Jeanne, a teacher, shared a classroom with another teacher, Sofie. Of course, most days it was “business as usual” and the women had limited discussion about anything spiritual. But Jeanne—one of those “naturals” at building relationships—ended up getting to know Sofie well.

Jeanne also started attending our 9 Arts class.

We were only a couple of weeks in to our class when Jeanne excitedly said, “I have something to tell you!”

She had just brought Sofie to Christ!

Here’s how it went down:

One morning she’d felt the Lord urging her to talk with Sofie. Jeanne listened to this prompting and upon arrival at school, she found Sofie in the teacher workroom.

“How are you doing?”

Jeanne wasn’t surprised at the response—she knew that Sofie was struggling in her marriage—but, in God’s perfect timing, Jeanne had just started reading a marriage book, and when she mentioned it, Sofie got really excited and curious. “What’s the book about?” Jeanne told her, and, in the process, she shared the message of the gospel. Then, Jeanne asked Sofie if she wanted to accept Jesus as her Savior and then start working through this marriage book together. And, right then and there, Sofie accepted Christ!

God was using the Arts in Jeanne’s life long before she had even been trained in them. What made the difference was realizing how they paved the way for naturally sharing the gospel. Jeanne was already on her way to sharing the gospel with Sofie because of the relationship she’d cultivated. Understanding the 9 Arts of Spiritual Conversations gave her the confidence to recognize that. 

So when the Holy Spirit moved her, Jeanne was ready. Right then and there.  

Greatly encouraged that all of us can be like Jeanne, and be ready, too.

Jonathan Thompson
Church planter and excited 9 Arts facilitator!