making the most of watering holes – take a moment to have a conversation with a stranger

I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling a sense of urgency to share the truth and light of Jesus now more than ever. At the same time, I also feel it’s becoming harder to connect with people. It’s like the enemy sneaked in overnight and built invisible walls. What happened to our opportunities? At today’s “watering holes”—the places where life forces us to mingle with strangers—we get out our mobile devices and basically ignore the people around us. We’ve lost those 15-minute windows that used to be “open door” moments.

I think it’s safe to say that deep down, one of the greatest convictions in every believer’s heart is to share Jesus with hurting people who don’t know Him. What would you do if someone came up to you and asked for help? “My life is a wreck and I need something to believe in. Do you have an answer for me?” I bet all of us would jump at the opportunity to pray with that person and show them how to turn their life over to Jesus. We could then direct them to a church.

Unfortunately, such clear-cut situations don’t happen very often.

Why not? Because God made evangelism awkward.

He probably did it on purpose, too. Ephesians 4:11 tells us only some people are given the gift of evangelism—and yet all of us are called to spread the gospel. How do we break through the power of awkward in today’s culture, when the invisible walls of technology can make even casual conversation difficult?

I don’t believe there’s a one-size-fits-all formula . . . but here’s a formula anyway:

Bold + Awkward + Interesting = God

If you’re bold enough, you can push through the initial moments of awkward. Be prepared with something interesting, and then be satisfied in letting God do the rest through His Holy Spirit.

Jesus modeled the perfect picture of 21st-century evangelism in His dealing with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4).

He was BOLD.
“Can you draw Me some water?”

He pushed through the AWKWARD.
“But You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman.”

He quickly made it INTERESTING.
“Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.”

He showed Himself (GOD).
“I who speak to you am He” (the Messiah she was looking for).

There it is—a formula for sharing the truth of Jesus with strangers. People may bristle at a direct invitation to “know Jesus,” but far less often will they refuse prayer. Simple “icebreakers” can make it easier and less awkward to begin conversations. Have you ever tried something like this? The waiter or waitress brings your food, and you say, “We’re about to pray over our food. Is there anything you’d like prayer for?” Simple. To the point.

What do you do? We want to hear your ideas for evangelism icebreakers—how do you break through the invisible wall of awkward and share Jesus? Email us attestimony@streamsministries.com

There are many easy, uncomplicated ways you can boldly start a conversation about the gospel. Since dreams are mysterious and everybody dreams, there will always be a hunger to know what dreams mean. As an equipping ministry, we are here to help you share your faith with others and grow through training and resources. What touches the interests of today’s generation? We want to help Jesus-seekers scratch an itch and lead them to the One they’re searching for.