The Effect of Good News

After digging deep into my iPhone Notes app (discovering and deleting several Nando's order lists and 'useful' noted web links in the process) I found a list I'd made a long while ago when I'd been thinking about what it takes to 'effect' someone for Christ. I thought it a little unusual that I'd used the word 'effect' until I delved into the actual definition of the word:

ef·fect (/iˈfekt/) 

Noun:
A change that is a result or consequence of an action or other cause. 

Verb:
Cause (something) to happen; bring about. 

Synonyms:
noun. result - outcome - consequence - influence - impression
verb. execute - perform - carry out - accomplish - achieve  

(source:  Google Search)

So if you're looking to, by God's grace, help bring about an amazing change in a friend, or hoping to influence and leave a good impression with a work colleague, or see the outcome of what being saved will actually mean in a loved one's life, then I hope the list below will go someway to help in these endeavours:

1. Pray for them. Do it now. Write their name down and look at it regularly, see the person behind the name in your mind. Pray for them on the way to work, in the car, on the bus, when you wake or before you sleep. In other words keep them in your thoughts as much as possible.

2. Develop a deeper relationship with that person. Spend time with then. Do stuff they want to do (even if you don't like it). Build in gentle discipleship. 

3. Be bold. Don't be in their face, but slip in stories of God's goodness. Become more aware of what God is doing in your life so that you can share these stories and at the same time increase your faith and help this friend connect with real world examples of faith in action in a way they didn't know were possible. 

4. Invite them to church 'stuff' - coffee mornings, days away, church parties... anything! 

5. Invite them to life, home, cell, small - whatever you call 'em - groups. This is a great way for them to interact with others in a low pressure, less expectation environment. 

6. Invite them to church! Help them realise that they are not disengaging their brain and introduce them to people from every walk of life. Encourage them become involved in conversation so they see that these people are just ordinary and intelligent human beings like them who also happen to have a passion for Jesus. Explain that the thing that unites them is God's love!

How do you connect with unbelievers when wanting them to hear the Good News of Jesus? What things from this list would you change, add-to, or takeaway? I'd love to hear from you.

God bless you in all your efforts to reach those that don't yet have a personal relationship with Jesus!