People are increasingly open to spirituality, says Darin Stevens, but the way we talk about Jesus needs to change. Here’s how to avoid stalling at the first stop and switch gears to keep the conversation moving
After 20 years of working with young people, my wife and I want to share some good news: everyday Christians like you and me can easily pick up the simple skills that will show this spiritually open generation the way to Jesus.
Our learning journey began when we felt God nudging us to move to the UK. After spending a few summers serving alongside local churches, we became aware of the unique opportunity to work in schools and in the community with young people who did not go to church.
At that time, we would have readily admitted that sharing our faith was not our strong point. But we also sensed that, by taking this step, we would have to learn quite quickly. We spent several months praying when my wife’s biggest fear came clearly to the surface…learning to drive a manual car on the other side of the road!
Despite our worries, we moved to the UK and, within a year, both managed to pass the notoriously rigorous UK driving test!
Those of us who have learned to drive a manual car know all-too-well the shudder of missing a gear and grinding to an embarrassing halt. Similarly, most of us who have tried to share our faith can relate to awkwardness of a spiritual conversation coming to a sudden stop.
Perhaps avoiding this kind of experience causes many Christians to give up on evangelism.
If this is you, you’re not alone. But don’t give up just yet. Here’s a few things we’ve learned about engaging with the spiritually curious – and uncurious – to encourage you back into the driver’s seat.
One thing to share honestly, however: sharing our faith will always require us to shift a few gears, because not all spiritual starting points are the same.
Four ways to shift gears
We’ve learned to respond in four different ways to the spiritual openness flowing under the surface of our culture that seem to keep the engine running and the momentum moving toward Jesus.
1. Spiritual, but not religious
People who say things like: “I believe there’s a God, but I’m not going to join a church.”
Difficult life experiences, a painful past with a church, or a perception of how it treats certain groups of people are all reasons why people might be interested in God, but convinced they will not cross the threshold of a church to find Him.
Shift Gears: From an invitation to church to asking about their story.
How: It’s crucial to understand a person’s history to communicate and relate to them authentically. In Barna’s recent Spiritually Open research, only half of Christians asked about their non-Christian friend’s back story when sharing their faith. So instead of starting with: “Would you like to come to church / Alpha?” try: “Do you have any faith background?” or: “Have you ever been to church?”
2. Spiritual, but not seeking
This is the starting point we encounter most often with our friends, neighbours and young people we meet. They might say they’re spiritual, but they don’t really know what that means or see what difference it would make in their life. We call this indifference the relevancy barrier. It’s the first (and often most challenging) obstacle to overcome before the gospel will sound like good news.
Shift Gears: From “Jesus loves you!” to stirring curiosity.
How: We’ve learned to stir up spiritual longings and use these as a way to help people experience their soul in action. This often motivates faith exploration. This resonates with the approach of King Solomon (Ecclesiastes 3:10) and Paul (Acts 17) - pointing to clues God has placed inside each of us that reveal a desire to know Him.
3. Spiritual, but several pathways
People who say things like: “I’m into manifesting and angel numbers. I have tarot cards that help give me direction for my future and I find parts of the Bible really inspirational!”
Shift Gears: From proving Jesus is the only way to encountering Jesus
How: We know that Jesus is “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6), but this generation often remains unmoved by apologetics alone. Instead, we can invite them to experience Jesus, the only One who can satisfy us with a full and free life. It’s usually later, after a decision to follow Jesus, that this generation has the motivation to explore the rational basis behind the Christian faith.
4. Spiritual, but selfish
This group sounds a bit like the last one. They might say: “I’m really spiritual. It’s my identity. I practice yoga, I meditate every morning, and I can fast from food, films and sleep on a 10-hour flight. It’s helping me become the best version of myself.”
Shift Gears: From correcting spiritual practices to introducing God.
How: Self-help can never bring lasting satisfaction or true transformation. Selfish spirituality rarely challenges us to choose the things we don’t like but really need to grow and change (like choosing to forgive someone who hurt us). However, instead of correcting, try observing: “I think you desire to connect with someone bigger than yourself. I believe that’s God and I know He has the power to help you. Can I introduce Him to you?”
Finally, take courage. More than 50% of adults in the UK fail their driving test the first time. The key is to keep at it. It takes time. It’s OK to try and fail. We rarely drive perfectly, even once we pass. But the freedom and exhilaration of the open road is worth it. The same is true when it comes to joining in the Spirit’s work. Are you ready to get back behind the wheel?
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