GID5 Chapter 3 - Reaching Out to Your Relational Network
Reaching Out to Your Relational Network
Beyond our families, each of us relate to people from different contexts. These include people we know from our neighbourhood, workplace, friends, and people we got to know along the way. They make up your relational network. All of them need to hear the gospel if they do not know Jesus as their Saviour. This is part of your mission field as much as your family is. How can you bring the gospel to them? We will explore some ideas.
Matthew’s story in Luke 5:27-31 gives us some principles. (Note that Levi was another name for Matthew.)
What was Matthew’s occupation?
When Matthew left everything to follow Jesus, did he cut off his previous connections?
Who else beyond their co-workers were there?
What social activity did he convene?
What were the types of people that Jesus and Matthew were concerned for?
Do you think it is a feasible way for you to apply Matthew’s approach in bringing the gospel to your colleagues? Why or why not?
What alternative social activities would you use to connect with co-workers and friends?
NOTE Not every social event needs to culminate in a presentation of the gospel. Some might just be social events, getting to know one another. At appropriate times like Good Friday, one might watch a movie on the life of Jesus. It would be a better situation if there was another Christian colleague whom you could team up with to organise the activities.
The Bible has much to say on friendship. Look up the following verses and draw out practical truths which will help enhance your friendships:
Proverbs 16:28
Proverbs 17:9
Proverbs 17:17
Proverbs 18:24
Proverbs 19:6
Proverbs 22:11
Proverbs 27:6
Proverbs 27:9
Proverbs 27:10
Ecclesiastes 4:9,10
Evaluate the following statements about friendship and see whether they are true to life: “Sometimes you pick your friends, sometimes they pick you.” • “A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.” • “The secret to friendship is being a good listener.” • “You can’t make friends, you earn them.” • “Your friend is the person who knows all about you, and still likes you.”
Which of these statements about friendship matches your own experience?
An Example of Engaging in Evangelistic Conversation
Read Acts 8:26-40. Who told Philip where to go for an evangelistic opportunity? (Acts 8:26)
What do we know of the person Philip met? (Acts 8:27-28)
What was the man doing? (Acts 8:30-33)
NOTE The passage read is from Isaiah 53:7-8, part of the prophecy of the Suffering Messiah (Jesus) — the very gospel in the Old Testament! How providential!
What other guidance or prompting did Philip get from the Holy Spirit? (Acts 8:29)
How did Philip engage with the Ethiopian?
In terms of the tone? Was it overbearing? (Acts 8:30)
Note how many questions were asked in the passage. Was Philip preaching?
What was Philip able to do with the opportunity? (Acts 8:34-35)
Did the Ethiopian believe? (Acts 8:36-39)
What did you learn about this approach to holding conversations about the gospel which you could apply with others?
Your Relational Network
Just as we have family networks, each of us has relational networks among neighbours, friends and colleagues. Among colleagues, we may have peers, superiors, juniors and friends. The reality of life is that we relate in depth to a smaller group of people in the various categories. It would be helpful to draw up your relational network, similar to what you have done for your family network. A simple model is drawn for your reference.
A relational network (example)
Take some time to draw up your relational network covering your friends, neighbours, and colleagues in the space at the end of this chapter. This network diagram is to help you focus on who you should pray for and relate to as God directs your heart.
After you have drawn your relational network, circle five people whom you feel are open to the gospel. Display your network diagram in a prominent place to remind you to pray for them regularly. Ask God to open their hearts. As you relate to them, be alert to the ways God may intervene in their lives (see the ‘God’s Intervention’ section in Chapter 1 for some of those ways). Ask God for ideas to relate to each one as you discover their interests, hobbies, and life patterns.
Draw your relational network (on paper) covering friends, neighbours and colleagues, then circle five people you feel are open to the gospel. List them here and commit to pray for them regularly.