Back to Jesus

If there is one common human trait, it is the trials we live through. Bad bosses, a lack of funds, interpersonal conflict, and power struggles. Gather a few group together and it doesn’t take long for the conversation to turn to the negative realities that are going on in their lives.

These realities are important, because they are real. Even more important, for missional conversations, is pointing the conversation back to Jesus.

Asking Gospel Questions

This practice builds off of last weeks core questions, but invites us into a corporate discussion with those around us. Rather than devolving to a mutual sharing of discontent, we are ushered to invite others to participate in New Creation.

The core questions:

• Who do I believe I am?
• What do I believe God has done/is doing?
• Who then do I believe God is?

Now we can orient ourselves into a Gospel conversation that puts Jesus back into the center of our discussion.

How does the Gospel redeem this situation?

You’ve been practicing internalizing and practicing the Gospel. These are the practical moments to examine and allow the Good News to intersect with real life.

What part of the Gospel do we need to hear?

Put the X-Ray questions into practice. It may letting go of our control, or releasing our fear of others. We may be looking to a situation or person for our sustenance, rather than God. Or we may be trying to prove ourselves to someone (or ourself!). Speak the Good News and point back to who God is.

What parts of the Gospel are we forgetting or failing to believe?

Even in a Gospel-centered community, we need to come to places of repentance regularly. When the conversation turns sour, we are not putting our hope in our Redeemer. This gives us an opportunity to remember the Gospel and put God back in His rightful place.

How is Jesus more than what we have?

Jesus is the only one who can truly fill those voids in our life. He is the better boss, the better spouse, the better parent, and so much more. When everything else is fails us, we can come back to Him and find a solid foundation.

Every one of these questions removes us from the point of authority, and allows us to enter into the discussion with others. We are not authorities in others lives, but we are journey companions.

Keep an eye out this week for conversations and situations where things turn a little sour – God opens doors for us to ask these questions internally and externally to spark a Spiritual conversation.