Conversation Starters: A Helping Hand in a Crisis

"In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:6-7, NASB). 

News of the bombing at the Boston marathon last week sent a shock wave through me. As a runner and an American, with friends living in Boston, I was left praying and trying to process it all as the story unraveled. It inspired me how some runners ran straight to the hospital to donate blood and how other cities are organizing runs to honor Boston. 

As Jesus' disciples, we have insight into how He responded in crisis moments and how we can try to help others in practical ways. God has told us that life isn't always easy. Jesus was in touch with God the Father through prayer and was into God's Word. He got to know the community, helped the sick and spoke of an everlasting hope to all, including the outcasts. 

Kelli Martin

We may not be able to do much physically to help people, but we can pray, listen to God and listen to others who are going through a crisis. We can trust God and simply be there for others. We can pray for an opportunity to share how God gives a peace through His Son that outlasts whatever circumstances are going on around us.

Study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).

Conversation Starters: Interests

"But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24, NASB).

What is something you're interested in? Do you know others with a similar interest?

For me, I love to run and I love Christ. As God becomes more a part of my life, I can see ways that He fits into the world we experience and decisions we make. As I have grown closer in my walk with God, I am drawn to sometimes pray while I run, and I can relate to passages about perseverance in the faith in the Bible. God is my strength, so He will help me press on as I run and in the faith. He offers forgiveness and renewal when I feel I've failed. He will give me wisdom when I need it (which comically can come in handy as things cross my path when I run in a park). When I don't run quite like I wanted to one day, then I know my God has grace and will be there with me the next time I try. All of those things relate so closely to my spiritual walk, I see, and so it is neat to get to talk about that with other runners.

What are some things that you are interested in? Is it business, art, family, technology, developing systems, entertainment, reading or exercise? Whatever it may be, how does God apply to it? How is He a part of that picture?

When you talk with others, ask them what their interests are. Try to find a common one, or listen to them as they share theirs. This is a great way to learn where someone is coming from. If you get to bring up how God works in our everyday lives, then you may get to share with someone about who Christ is.

God is a part of our lives, and so when others are open to sharing about life, then we may get to share about ours as well. Let's pray for the words to say and for a connection with others so that we can have these conversations.

Questions to think about:

• What are your interests? How does God relate to them? 
• What are your best friend's interests? How does God relate to them? 
• Is there someone you know now who doesn't know Christ, but that you have a common interest with?

Study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).

Photo from www.runnersworld.com/masters-racing/price-competition.

Conversations That Count: Concern

"'Go back and call your husband,' He told her, 'and come back here.'

'I don't have a husband,' she answered. 

'You have correctly said, 'I don't have a husband,' Jesus said. 'For you've had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.'

'Sir,' the woman said. 'I see you are a prophet'" (John 4:16-19, NASB).

Jesus showed He cared for this woman by taking time to listen to her. He built openness and trust out of this care. At this point in the story, she didn't quite see yet that He was the Messiah. Yet, He was taking note of who she was individually and then addressed her needs.

In the movie, The Blind Side, Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy showed concern for a high-school aged boy, Micahel Oher. The movie is based on a true story and the book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis. This couple "went big" as they showed concern for Oher, offering kindness to him, seeing potential in him and later adopting him. In the movie, Leigh Anne pointed out that Oher was teaching her, and you can see how this couple acted with sincere hearts and a cheerful spirit. The couple even wrote a book together, In a Heartbeat: Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving. Oher went on to be an Ole Miss student and football player, and recently won Super Bowl XLVII with the Baltimore Ravens (more at www.nydailynews.com).

A need may not be physical, but showing someone you care by listening to them and showing concern can go a long way. It contributes to building a genuine relationship. Concern can display the love that we can have because of what Jesus has shown us and because of the Holy Spirit who transforms the lives of believers.

Study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo courtesy of Gotham Books, found in the photo gallery, "Michael Oher - Beating the Odds" at www.commercialappeal.com.

Conversations That Count: Curiosity

"Therefore the Samaritan woman said to Him, 'How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?' (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 

"Jesus answered and said to her, 'If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.' 

"She said to Him, 'Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water? You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?' 

"Jesus answered and said to her, 'Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.' 

"The woman said to Him, 'Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw'" (John 4:9-15, NASB).

There is something about a great storyteller. It is a special talent, I think, but then again, we can learn some things from them. For example, Dr. Seuss tends to stir up curiosity and the imagination of his readers as he gives characters names such as a "Wump" and "Mr. Gump," and then writes about a cat in a hat and a fox in socks. These words have kept many reading in search of just who those characters are.

In John 4:9-15, we can read how Jesus sparked this woman's interest at the well as he used the term "living" water. I can see her wondering something like, "What's this crazy man talking about?" She decided to ask this man what He meant.

Through this, Jesus got the opportunity to share about eternal life found through Him, the Messiah, who was sent by God. This "living" water metaphor helps explain how there is something that can satisfy us more than water. Water for the body is needed, but God satisfies and brings life on a deeper and a longer-lasting level. Words like "thirst" and "springing up" helped Him explain how much greater this water satisfies than physical water from a well.

By using the word, "living," Jesus invited curiosity into His conversation. Today, we can help draw others into the story of God by using metaphors, examples or even using ourselves as a curious character. We can speak truthfully and still use vivid, relevant words to help explain the amazing, saving grace we have found in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).

Conversations That Count: Common Ground

"...and Jacob's well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, 'Give me a drink.' For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food" (John 4:6-8, NASB).

A common thirst, a common need. When Jesus met this woman at the well, He knew they were from different cultures but picked up on their common desire for water. Being God and man, Jesus knew she needed more than just water - she needed a better relationship with God. So, Jesus took this opportunity to start a conversation with her.

In this, we learn how we can look for ways to start a connection with others and opportunities to share who Jesus is with others. When we come across others, we can ask ourselves, "What do we have in common?"

We are unique people, and yet -

• We live in the same world. What's going on around us? 
• We are all human and have struggles in some way or another. Have you had a similar struggle as someone else? 
• Most importantly, we have the same God who desires a restored relationship with His creation. Does the person know this? 

Lord, help us keep our eyes open for ways we have common ground with others. Give us the words to say, if we're able to connect and share something about You with them. Thanks for taking time to help us know You more. Amen.

Study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo from bibleplaces.com.

Sharing God's Heart: Hope

"But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to anyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence" (1 Peter 3:15, NASB).

Ready. I remember sitting at a table in a high school photojournalism class when a friend asked me a genuine question about my faith in Christ. I froze for a second. My face flushed red. It was an unexpected question, but I was glad she asked it. We can rest assured that God will give us the words to say at the right time. We can pray and prepare now for the next time someone asks about our trust in Him.

Account for the hope that is in you. What has God done in your life? When did you believe in Jesus and His message? In case you are having trouble putting your faith into words, it may help to reflect on your testimony, remember how you came to know Christ, search the Bible and ask God questions (your questions aren't too tough for Him). The Apologetics Bible and HeartCall resources have helped me personally in this area. The core elements of HeartCall are:

• Hope - God has a plan for you
• Believe - God sent Jesus to die on the cross for you
• Turn - Turn to God and away from sin
• Call - Call on God to be your Lord and Savior

Gentleness and reverence. The big idea that I see from that part of the verse is to treat others with consideration and respect as we share. We don't know everything about them, and they are God's creation. In a way, we have been in the same shoes they have - we all have done things against God, and we all need Him.

Father God, You have made such a difference in our lives. Prepare our hearts and give us the words to say when someone asks why we trust in You. Amen.

Study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo from a HeartCall workshop.

Sharing God's Heart: Seasoned Just Right

"Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person" (Colossians 4:6, NASB).

It is pretty amazing how even a dash of salt can help a meal's flavors come alive. Salt also acts as a perservative for food. Much like salt to a meal, one element that is a key part of God's makeup is grace. It reveals the goodness and purity in Him. In Colossians 4:6, believers are encouraged to live out the grace God has shown us. This is the same grace that He offers others.

Consider salt that is mixed with other elements. In Biblical times, it is known that salt from the Dead Sea was mixed and sold with other impurities. It wasn't pure sodium, which gave it less flavor and made it generally less favorable. Disciples who lose their saltiness (grace) are not as effective witnesses of Christ as they could be. We can pray that when we speak, God helps us do so with grace, so others can see more of Christ, the One we love, serve and testify.

Do you remember a time when you were caught up in sin or a tough situation?
How did God help you out of it, or how did He walk you through it?
Let's remember to show others the kindness of Christ that drew us to Him. Also, let's pray for those who don't know Christ yet.

Lord, thank You for your grace. Help us be aware of our speech, and help us speak with the grace You show us. Father God, equip us to be outstanding witnesses for who You are. Help others on our mind, ones that don't know You, embrace the grace You offer through Your Son. Amen.

"Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?" (Romans 2:4, NASB).

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:23-24, NASB).

Check out an acousitc cover of the song "Kindness" by Chris Tomlin, sung live by Greyson Sawyer here on YouTube. You can hear Chris Tomlin's version on YouTube here.

Study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Researched with the help of Stephanie Carey.
Photo from www.naturaltherapypages.co.uk.