Sharing Without The Jesus Juke

4No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.
2 Timothy 2:4-6 NKJV

I sometimes find the Bible to be a bit confusing. Aside from crazy, miraculous events taking place, sometimes the way the writers describe things and the historical references go right over my head (which usually leads to daydreaming, but that’s another story). That’s why I dig what Paul did here...

He addresses the soldier, in the context of being a soldier.
He addresses the athlete, in the context of being an athlete.
He addresses the farmer, in the context of being a farmer.

Paul shows us how to meet people where they are, how to speak their language, and connect with them on THEIR terms. If people don’t GET what you’re sharing you’re wasting your breath. So, Paul makes some cultural references with the hope that SOMEONE will understand what he’s trying to say.

How do you share?

Reflect:

• Why is it important to meet people where they are?
• What’s the danger of surrounding yourself with nothing but church people?
• How can you discover a person’s likes, dislikes, family situation, job, etc.?
• When was the last time you told someone about Jesus?