Our clothes are mass produced. Designers create an article of clothing in several standard sizes, with approximate body dimensions in mind, and send them to the store. When the consumer comes to the store and finds an article of clothing they like, they find the size that most closely matches their body dimensions, tries it on to make sure, then buys it. However, there is another option. We can find a tailor, hand over a pile of money, then ask them to measure our exact body dimensions and sew us clothing that is (literally) “tailor made” to our exact specifications. When clothes are made in this second way, we will sometimes refer to it as “bespoke.”
In last week’s email, we thought about how everyone has a different relationship with faith and religion. Some grew up in a family that practices one religion only to convert to another, others grew up in a family of faith only to abandon it later in life, while still others grew up without any faith at all only to become religious as an adult. There are as many unique spiritual stories as there are people. As such, if we want to help people from all these different backgrounds slowly make their way to faith in Jesus, we can’t have a mass produced “one size fits all plan,” rather, we need to carefully consider what a “bespoke” mission plan will be for the people we are pursuing with the gospel.
This week, I’ll offer three simple questions to ask yourself in order to create a “bespoke” mission plan for the people in your life. While this might sound complicated, I think you will quickly see that a little intentionality at the beginning will go a long way in helping lead your unbelieving friends from wherever they are to faith in Jesus Christ. As I share these three questions, we will practice them together on three very unique friends of mine: Indifferent Izzy, Skeptical Sally, and Mystical Mark.
Question 1: What is your friend’s religious experience?
As you think about the people you want to pursue with the gospel, the first step is to consider what you know of their relationship with faith and religion. Some may have had exposure to Christianity while others haven’t. Some may have shown themselves to be open, curious, and even interested in talking about spiritual things with you in the past, while others are clearly indifferent or even hostile to the idea of religion. Some grew up believing something and now believe nothing, while others grew up believing nothing and will now believe anything. The first question to consider is, “What is your friend’s religious experience?”
Indifferent Izzy - Izzy doesn’t think too much about spiritual things. She grew up in a home where faith wasn’t often discussed and has never had any significant religious exposure. In fact, ideas of God, prayer, or anything that might be called “transcendent” rarely cross her mind. Though she’s not hostile to faith, the topic isn’t one she’s naturally inclined to discuss.
Skeptical Sally - Sally grew up in the church, but wished she hadn’t. The religious baggage she carries from the wrongs done to her by the church (whether real or perceived) cause her to be critical of religious communities and believers in general. The news cycle doesn’t help. She’s happy for you to have your faith, but makes it clear that she’s not interested in hearing about it.
Mystical Mark - Mark grew up nominally Catholic but slowly became a devotee of alternative spiritualities. As such, Mark is open to any and all religious expressions as long as none of them try to claim to have the corner on the truth market. Mark is eager for any type of religious conversation, and even tells you that he really likes Jesus, right before he heads off to a meditation seminar.
Three different people in three very different places. All three can find true hope in one place: the cross of Jesus Christ. Yet your mission plan to lead each of them to the cross will be decidedly “bespoke.” As you think about the people you are pursuing with the gospel, the first question to ask is, “What is your friend’s religious experience?”
Question 2: How will you pray for them?
Your first thought, upon reading about Izzy, Sally, and Mark might have been, “none of these people will ever put their faith in Jesus.” Of course, the truth is that no one, even the most tenderhearted seeker, will ever come to faith in Christ apart from the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit as he calls them irresistibly to himself. Remember, a prayerless mission is a pointless mission. It’s the Lord alone who is able to do the deep heart work that everyone needs to come to faith. For this reason, it’s important that we pause to speak to the Lord of the Harvest about the people we are pursuing with the gospel and to consider what you will commit to praying for each. The second question to consider is, “How will you pray for them?”
Indifferent Izzy - For Izzy, we would pray that the Lord would break her of her apathy. He does this all the time. God will often work through the difficult things we face in life (hard breakups, crumbling careers, untimely deaths, midlife crisis) to reveal the shallowness of our hope and the fractures in our worldview. However, he does this in many not-so-drastic ways as well. Regardless of how he does it, we would pray for God to melt her heart of stone.
Skeptical Sally - For Sally, we would pray that the Lord would lead Sally to question her conclusions about Christ and his people. We would pray for opportunities to shine the light she never saw in the church. We would pray for the courage and compassion we will need when she’s ready to process her baggage and doubt her doubts.
Mystical Mark - For Mark, we would pray that the spiritual rabbit trails he’s running down would lead to dead ends. We would pray that drinking from the wrong spiritual wells would leave him wholly dissatisfied and thirsty for living water. We would pray that the Holy Spirit in us would show himself to be more compelling and powerful then the false spirits he’s been seeking. We would pray that his search for spiritual wholeness and hidden knowledge would lead him to the only one who can make him truly whole and to the knowledge of him who is the “truth.”
As you form a “bespoke” mission plan for those you’re pursuing with the gospel, think carefully about how you will commit to pray for them. We have a job to do, but the work of evangelism will be fruitless without “the Lord of the Harvest” doing what only he can do.
Question 3: What’s the next step in your plan?
As Micah taught me during our long drive through northern Maine, “the job of an evangelist isn’t always to “seal the deal” but to help a person “take their next step toward Jesus.” In other words, as you think about the people you’re pursuing with the gospel, and pray diligently for them, don’t focus yet on how you will get them across the finish line of faith, think instead about how you will help them take another step toward the finish line of faith. The third question to consider is, “What’s the next step in your plan?”
Indifferent Izzy - Izzy may not be looking for Jesus, but she’s looking for something. We all are. Whether she’s looking for freedom from anxiety, release from the shame of past decisions, deliverance from feelings of inadequacy, or simply a desire to be loved, Izzy can find a better and lasting version of what she’s looking for in the person of Jesus. Our next step with Izzy is to figure out what she’s looking for and help her see how the answer to her heart’s desire is found in the life, death, resurrection, ascension, heavenly reign, and future return of a first century rabbi. In short, even before Izzy believes the gospel is true, we must fight against her indifference by helping her want it to be true.
Skeptical Sally - Since Sally believes that faith (specifically faith in Jesus) is bad, our next step in leading her toward faith is helping her taste and see that it is good. This might look like including her when you’re getting together with Christian friends to show her healthy Christian community. It might look like inviting her to serve the poor along with your church. It could also look like mustering the courage to ask if you could pray with her when she’s going through something hard. Our next step with Sally is to make her wonder if, perhaps, she jumped to conclusions about Christianity a bit too soon.
Mystical Mark - Though many of Mark’s beliefs are contrary to Christian belief, his open-minded posture and hunger for spiritual experience allows us to be far more direct at inviting Mark to consider Jesus. This might look like inviting him to read the Bible together one-to-one, join you at church, or even at a prayer meeting. As we point him to truth, we will also need to take the role of a learner. Ask Mark questions about what he believes, try to understand what he’s looking for in these alternative spiritualities, and notice where his beliefs don’t hold together. Our next step with Mark, in other words, is to let him taste the goodness, truth and beauty of the one true God, learn more about the desires of his heart, and form a better grasp on what exactly he believes.
So, as you think about those you’re pursuing with the gospel, don’t focus on getting them across the line of faith, focus first on helping them take the next step.
Pray, Pursue, Plan… What now?!
The first post in this series was all about prayer, the second post urged you to consider who you would pursue with the gospel, the third and fourth posts helped us create a bespoke mission plan in light of our friends unique situation. But, in case you haven’t noticed, up to this point you can still do all this from the safety of your armchair!
Next week, I’ll write one more post in this series full of practical advice and proven tactics to help you put your plan into action. Until then, continue to pray for those in your life who don’t know Christ, and think about what your next step might be in leading them to the cross.
FBC Ojai News: April 7-13
Women’s Book Club: The next meeting is this Saturday, April 12, at 10:30 AM in Smith Hall. The book is The Reluctant Disciple by Robin Pou.
Good Friday Service: All are welcome to join us on Friday, April 18, for the Ojai Valley Ministerial Association inter-church service at Libbey Bowl to remember our Lord’s sacrifice. Service will be at 6:30 PM.
Easter Eggsplosion: Saturday, April 19, we are partnering again with Redemption to put on a large Easter Eggsplosion at Libbey Park! The event is from 1-3 PM. There are four ways you can get involved: run a fun game booth, help set up before the event, assist in tear down after, or work at registration and pass out candy. This is such a fun and meaningful way to bless our community and share the love of Jesus with families in Ojai. If you’d like to be a part of it, email Rachel at kids@redemptionojai.org, and we’ll get you signed up!
Easter Breakfast: Come celebrate Resurrection Day together at our Easter Breakfast on Sunday, April 20, from 8-9:15 AM before our Easter morning service at 10 AM. If you’re available to help, please contact the office or Cyndi Hassien.
Oakleaves: It’s time to put together our next newsletter! Please submit all notes, pictures, articles, and updates to the church’s email: office@fbcojai.org or call the church office at 805-633-9055. We are looking for YOUR submissions by next Tuesday, April 15.
All Valley Women’s Retreat: This year’s theme is “I Speak Jesus!” The retreat will be Saturday, May 10 from 8:30 AM-4:30 PM at Forest Home. The cost is $55 per person and that covers breakfast, lunch, speakers and activities. Pick up a registration form in the foyer and get it to the church office by April 26.
Sermon Questions on John 20:11-18
This Sunday, we continued our sermon series on John 20 called “Jesus & the Eyewitnesses.” Spend time with your home group, family, or on your own, reflecting again on the passage and discussing the way it might help shape your life and faith.
Share about a pivotal moment in your life. How did your life look different before and after this moment?
Read John 20:11-13
What does Mary see this time when she stoops and looks into the tomb?
What’s the answer to the angel’s question? Was weeping the right or wrong response?
Read John 20:14-16
What is the significance of Jesus saying Mary’s name? (see John 10:3-4)
Why does the fact that Jesus first appeared to a woman further fortify your belief in the resurrection?
Read John 20:17-18
What is the new name Jesus has for his disciples? What is the significance of this?
The thing that Jesus sends Mary to do is to go and tell. The resurrection isn’t news we should keep to ourselves. Who do you feel a unique burden to go and tell about Jesus? Who in your life might benefit from hearing this series? Is there anyone you might share this week’s sermon with? Is there anyone you might invite to next week’s service?
As you close, pray together for those you feel called to “go and tell.”
Helpful links to help stay connected: FBC Ojai website | Sermon audio | Past newsletters | Join the prayer chain | Calendar | Give