Mission Matters for March 30

Bible Verse

John 7:46 - Never man spake like this man.

Thoughts and Ellen White Comments

Look Deeper

Look deeper for ways to steer the conversation to a more spiritual level.
Think of where most of your conversations focus… usually clichés and facts. Here are the common levels of communication.

  Cliches
  Facts
  Opinions
  Feelings
  Needs (heart)

Go deeper, move to heart conversations!

  Evangelism, 436.   “Your success will not depend so much upon your knowledge and accomplishments, as upon your ability to find your way to the heart.”

Use a Third Party

Use a third party when you begin to see a spiritual need, being  careful about exposing it or making the person feel vulnerable.  Share an experience of your own, someone else, or a Bible story that will bring out the needs and feelings you suspect someone is feeling.  In this way, they can open up without feeling exposed prematurely.

Consider the example of Nathan the prophet when speaking with King David:
2 Samuel 12:1-9
Psalm 51

Consider the example of Jesus:
When He taught in parables.
When He worked with Judas.  

  Desire of Age, 645.   “The disciples knew nothing of the purpose of Judas. Jesus alone could read his secret. Yet He did not expose him. Jesus hungered for his soul. He felt for him such a burden as for Jerusalem when He wept over the doomed city. His heart was crying, 'How can I give thee up?'”

STIMULATE, gently!

A new element needs to be brought into the work. God's people must receive the warning and work for souls right where they are, for people do not realize their great need and peril. Christ sought the people where they were, and placed before them the great truths in regard to His kingdom. As He went from place to place, He blessed and comforted the suffering and healed the sick. This is our work. God would have us relieve the necessities of the destitute. The reason that the Lord does not manifest His power more decidedly is because there is so little spirituality among those who claim to believe the truth.—Medical Ministry, 319.