Jump Start # 1129

1 Thessalonians 2:7 “But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.”

  In our passage today, Paul is reminding the Thessalonians how he conducted himself and what he did when he was with them. Paul’s stay was short. The church was young. He had to flee to save his life from persecutors, especially Jewish. They were trash talking Paul. They were trying to undue the good that he had done and to undermine his credibility with them.

Paul begins with a series of negatives.

• We were not pleasing men (4)
• We were not using flattery speeches (5)
• We were not coming with a motive of greed (5)
• We did not seek the glory of men (6)

What we did do, was come to you gently as a nursing mother. Paul’s example is a great reminder for us, especially parents and teachers, preachers and shepherds in God’s kingdom. We forget that sometimes. The moment often gets us worked up and we enter a discussion with guns blazing. We sometimes forget that the loudness of our voice does not give strength to our arguments. No one is killed by thunder.

Throughout the N.T. the call to answer, restore and correct with gentleness is found. Truth doesn’t have to be shoved, forced or demanded. It says what it says. I’ve had to learn this. Being a preacher and a parent sometimes I brought my preaching voice home. A person can be firm, stand for what they believe and still be gentle. I think this is something that time helps us with. The older one gets the more they understand this.

A few thoughts for us.

1. When discussing religious topics with someone who disagrees with you, try to stay on one subject. Often, the discussion turns into chasing rabbits. Have you ever tried to chase a rabbit? I have. They don’t run straight. They run this way, and then they run that way. They zig zag all over the place. It’s hard to keep up with a rabbit. That is the flow of many religious discussions. It starts with a question and before long, it’s zigging here and zagging there and a person can spend two hours but they haven’t accomplished much. I often bring a pad of paper to the table. When a question comes up, write it down. We’ll get to that one another day. Stay on the subject. Now the same could be said about flipping all over the Bible, going from one verse to another verse. Focus on just a few verses but really work them. Turn those verses inside out and get the understanding. When someone wants to chase rabbits in the Bible, write those verses down on your pad of paper and promise to look at them later. Few verses and one topic at a time.

2. I try to find out what version of the Bible my friend that I’m studying with has. I then try to bring the same one that he has. It’s easier when both read the same. I often will have my friend read a passage out of his own Bible. This does a couple of things. First, he sees it. This is not from your Bible, but his. Secondly, if there are no more studies, he’ll take that Bible with him where ever he goes. When he happens to turn to that page, he may remember the study you had. It may then connect with him.

3. It is important to know where a person is at and begin there. Jesus always did that. How do you know? You talk with them. You ask them to tell you their story. You listen. For some, they are not sure there is a God. Others believe in God, they are not sure about the Bible. Still some think the Bible is missing some parts. Others understand inspiration and accept the Bible. Each of these people need to begin at different places. There is not a one size fits all program to teach. You must be able to adapt and meet people where they are. This is important.

4. Go slowly. One of the mistakes we tend to make with our friends is to drown them with so much information. We are busting to tell them everything but they are not ready for that. Go slowly. Slowly. Be patient. You are planting seeds to grow mighty oaks. They may ask you about the book of Revelation and the mark of the beast when they do not grasp some fundamental concepts yet. Hold off for now.

5. You goal is not the baptistery but rather a disciple of Christ. There have been many who went to the baptistery who were not ready for nor willing to make a commitment to Christ. Teaching Christ will lead to counting the cost and having a heart that truly wants to follow Christ.

6. When someone differs, don’t get mean, ugly or call them names. Don’t make fun of what they believe. That doesn’t prove you right. Our faith stands upon the Bible. If they name someone who is a poor example of Christ, apologize, but remind them that Jesus isn’t that way. We follow Christ. If they have been hurt by something someone said in the past, apologize and remind them that Jesus never treated them that way. Your goal is to connect them to Jesus, not your church. Don’t get into the car shopping syndrome where two churches are compared like we compare cars. It’s not which church is better or right, but what does the Bible teach. Emphasize the Bible. It’s not what the church teaches, it’s what the Bible teaches.

7. Remain kind, sweet and a friend no matter what happens. Pray for open hearts. Pray for the right words to say. Pray for patience. Pray that God can use you as an instrument to help others.

Teaching is such a great opportunity. It starts in the home. It continues all the days of our life. Teach through every medium you have—electronically, phone, face to face. Remember, people will judge your faith, your church and your Christ, by the way you conduct yourself. Honest, true, and kind—nothing beats that.

Roger