The Art of Conversation | Week 3 | Better Together
“Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You can’t eat from any tree in the garden’? ” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit from the trees in the garden. But about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God said, ‘You must not eat it or touch it, or you will die.’ ” “No! You will not die,” the serpent said to the woman. “In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.””
Genesis 3:1-5 HCSB
““Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd (cunning) as serpents and as harmless as doves.”
Matthew 10:16 HCSB
The Art of Conversation
"...do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words."
Matthew 6:7
We live in a polarized culture, unable to empathize with any human being that has a different perspective, on any topic.
Without face-to-face encounters that include listening and the forging of relationships… [polarizing] caricatures spread and grow stronger.
“Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You can’t eat from any tree in the garden’? "
Genesis 3:1 HCSB
Did God really say?
“The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit from the trees in the garden. But about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God said, ‘You must not eat it or touch it, or you will die.’ ” “No! You will not die,” the serpent said to the woman. “In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.””
Genesis 3:2-5 HCSB
God can give you the wisdom in any conversation, to say the words that reach the heart of your friend, family member, neighbor or coworker.
““Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as harmless as doves.”
Matthew 10:16 HCSB
An ambassador represents a country, school or organization in a positive manner, fostering good relationships with others. A good ambassador cares about bringing people, businesses or countries together, while remaining loyal to the place represented. It takes skills as a negotiator, a certain amount of expertise and integrity to be a good ambassador.
1. Ask Good Questions
Asking good questions is not about being tricky or manipulative, asking questions forces people wrestle with their own ideas.
Asking good questions reveals a persons presuppositions about a given topic and helps them wrestle with their own belief.
“When Jesus turned and noticed them following Him, He asked them, “What are you looking for?”
John 1:38 HCSB
“Jesus went out with His disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the road He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that I am? ” They answered Him, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, one of the prophets.” “But you,” He asked them again, “who do you say that I am? ” Peter answered Him, “You are the Messiah! ””
Mark 8:27-29 HCSB
“Tell us, therefore, what You think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? ” But perceiving their malice, Jesus said, “Why are you testing Me, hypocrites? Show Me the coin used for the tax.” So they brought Him a denarius. “Caesar’s,” they said to Him. Then He said to them, “Therefore give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.””
Matthew 22:17-19, 21 HCSB
1. Ask Good Questions
2. Know Your Audience
“Although I am a free man and not anyone’s slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win more people. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews... To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some. Now I do all this because of the gospel, so I may become a partner in its benefits.”
1 Corinthians 9:19-20, 22-23 HCSB
“Then he entered the synagogue and spoke boldly over a period of three months, engaging in discussion and trying to persuade them about the things of the kingdom of God. And this went on for two years, so that all the inhabitants of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the message about the Lord.”
Acts 19:8, 10 HCSB
1. Ask Good Questions
2. Know Your Audience
3. Be Conversational
• What was the best part of your week?
• What’s been on your mind?
• What were you like as a child?
• Best childhood memory?
• If money was no issue, what would you do?
• What’s 80% of your stress?
• Were you raised in a religious home?
• If there was one law you could make or break, what would it be?
• Have you ever had an experience in your life that made you think there is a God?
• What objection needs to be move aside to trust Jesus Christ with your life?
• Talk about meaningful things
• Doesn’t have to be spiritual all the time
Be Multilingual
Be Invitational
Agnostic prayer: “I don’t know if I’m talking to anyone, but if I am, make it known.”
Be Response Ready Answer common questions with meaningful responses
People are worth it. The Gospel is worth it.
…don’t worry about how or what you should speak. For you will be given what to say at that hour, because you are not speaking, but the Spirit of your Father is speaking through you.”
Matthew 10:20