Did the beggar need money or Jesus?

[Jesus_is_LORD]

 

[Hekuran]

That was a disaster. The preacher seemed to only listen to the guy for long enough to fire back some sort of counter argument. The onlookers appeared to be disgusted.

I've worked with an evangelistic homeless day centre for the past five years or so. It takes a long, long time building up trust, showing love, faithfulness and commitment to men and women who are often at the lowest point in their lives.

People like this preacher can potentially undo months of good work in just a few minutes. I can't believe he's posted this on YouTube as something to be proud of.

 

[Jesus_is_LORD]

That was a disaster. The preacher seemed to only listen to the guy for long enough to fire back some sort of counter argument. The onlookers appeared to be disgusted.

I've worked with an evangelistic homeless day centre for the past five years or so. It takes a long, long time building up trust, showing love, faithfulness and commitment to men and women who are often at the lowest point in their lives.

People like this preacher can potentially undo months of good work in just a few minutes. I can't believe he's posted this on YouTube as something to be proud of.

Thanks for sharing that perspective. It does take long to build those relationships.


“Then Peter said [to the beggar] , Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” - Acts 3:6


@Hekuran , you think the pastor was coming from a similar position as the verse above and saying perhaps, "In the name of Jesus rise up and work"?

Do you think just as the beggar was seeing his disability (lameness-not being able to walk) a hindrance to moving forward, and the street
preacher is saying that if you came to Jesus, he would remove any barrier that is stopping you from working?
Perhaps he is seeing that Jesus obviously has a purpose for this man's life, and the purpose is likely not to be
a beggar for the rest of his life but to fulfill God's purpose in his life. Thus the preacher is thinking, perhaps,
that if the person came to Christ, Christ would remove those things that serve as a hindrance to walking in their calling.
And currently, homelessness or joblessness is this man's hindrance.

Perhaps the approach is very direct, but I wonder if some people need that, considering how some don't really want
to be made well, but they want to continued in their learned helplessness.

It does require compassion I agree.

 

[Hekuran]

@Jesus_is_LORD, maybe.

The only successful first-contact evangelism approach I've seen begins with open ended questions about Jesus, and builds on those questions.

A: tell me, what do you know about Jesus?
B: He was a great moral teacher
A:Certainly he was a great moral teacher. Do you know much about what he taught?
B: I know he talked about forgiveness.
A: yes, forgive your enemies for example
B: i dont think that's very practical.
A: I agree, it's hard teaching. May i share with you a story about jesus that might shine some light on it?

From there, tell a parable, such as the unmerciful servant, or a story from the gospel.

The approach is "yes and" rather than "yes, but". By listening and responding with jesus at the centre, there's a chance for a really interesting conversation about divine forgiveness to develop, with opportunities to explore further.

And its easy to say at the end of the conversation "I've really enjoyed talking with you today. I hope we get a chance to speak again soon. Could i buy you a coffee sometime?"

 

[Jesus_is_LORD]

@Jesus_is_LORD, maybe.

The only successful first-contact evangelism approach I've seen begins with open ended questions about Jesus, and builds on those questions.

A: tell me, what do you know about Jesus?
B: He was a great moral teacher
A:Certainly he was a great moral teacher. Do you know much about what he taught?
B: I know he talked about forgiveness.
A: yes, forgive your enemies for example
B: i dont think that's very practical.
A: I agree, it's hard teaching. May i share with you a story about jesus that might shine some light on it?

From there, tell a parable, such as the unmerciful servant, or a story from the gospel.

The approach is "yes and" rather than "yes, but". By listening and responding with jesus at the centre, there's a chance for a really interesting conversation about divine forgiveness to develop, with opportunities to explore further.

And its easy to say at the end of the conversation "I've really enjoyed talking with you today. I hope we get a chance to speak again soon. Could i buy you a coffee sometime?"

Well said. Thanks for sharing the insight. Good points.