Jesus always seemed to be doing two things: asking questions and telling stories. Christians always seem to be doing two other things: giving answers and “preaching.”
All four are necessary — at the right time and in the right place. But we tend to forget that the God of the Bible was an extraordinary communicator; we ignore Jesus’ example of how to start conversation, and we jump in prematurely with answers and sermonettes before the listener’s curiosity is aroused.
Quote by Rebecca Manley Pippert, “Fresh Air Evangelism Training,” The Magnetic Fellowship, Larry K. Weeden, ed. Waco: Word Books, 1988 (Leadership Library XV), p. 63.
I'm not posting this as a criticism of other Christians. God knows there's enough people doing that in the blogosphere already. But it's something that hits home with me. I am TERRIBLE at telling stories, and usually don't think to ask questions of others. This is a reminder to ME. This is something I want/need to work on. It is also necessary - because of my occupation - to have answers and to preach, but it's important for me personally to learn to tell more stories and ask more questions. If Jesus did it, then yeah... it only makes sense.
6 comments:
hehe. Okay, so it's a *tad* funny. But, yes, I'm gonna delete it just in case he would happen by.
Very prudent, heh.
These are well articulated thoughts (yours and others) saying out loud what I've sometimes quietly pondered.
MR,
Yeah... too many times I've bitched about someone only to have them google their name or something and come by to see what I said. I don't know *this* person, but know of him, and, well... you know.
Robin,
Since when did you ever "quietly" ponder anything? :)
I'm quietly pondering what I'd like to say to you right about now, Mr. Smartypants......!
;)
why, just the other day Dan was talking about how smart his pants were. We all thought he was incoherant at the time, but here it is corroborated.
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