HOW DO I INVEST IN PEOPLE?

If you want to make your life count by making an impact with people along your path (see previous post), it all begins with relationships. But How? Here's a few ideas to get you thinking:

LISTEN. BE THERE.
One of the best ways to impact someone is to just walk through life with them. You don't need a counselling degree and it's not about having your life all figured out. You don't need to have unlimited knowledge or always know the right thing to say. You don't need to be perfect. Listen. Be there.  Be a friend.

BE A FRIEND. HAVE A FRIEND
We all want someone to be there for us. Someone who will stick close through the good times and the bad. A mutual relationship where we can help each other through life. We all want that...so don't sit back. Take the first step. If you want to have a friend, most of the time you need to be the friend first. We provide opportunities to make connections in Networks & Journey Groups, but you still might need to take the first step. Your level of connectivity is really up to you. So whether it's in your neighborhood, workplace, in our community or at church, tke the first step and connect with someone. If you are willing to take the first step, that relationship could be one where you make a big difference in someone elses life and your develop a great friendship that changes your life as well. 

INVEST & INVITE
Investing in people is about a process. We're called to to share God's love and message with people in our lives & along our path. It's about investing in people far from God, being a friend, and looking for opportunities to invite them to church in order to invite them into a relationship with God. We aren't trying to make "converts". We believe God can make all the difference in our lives and we want people to experience a relationship with Him. So don't be weird, just be yourself. Don't be pushy, just share your experience. Respect people and the process. Pray and ask God to help you see opportunities to share his love and message through our words and actions.

Invite someone to join you some Sunday at The Journey. Statistics show it takes at least seven invites for someone to show up. A lot of people want to explore God but they are just waiting for an invite. If they come, follow up. Take them to lunch after church or ask them what they thought later in the week. Share your thoughts too. Look for opportunities to invite them to explore God more and maybe begin a relationship with Him.

SHARE YOUR STORY
How has God changed your life? What does follow Jesus mean for your life? How have you experienced God? Think about it. Write it out. Be prepared to share it.

BRIDGE THE GAP
Here is a great picture to explain what Jesus did on the cross. You can easily draw it on a napkin or whatever and ask people where they see themselves. It's based on Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Memorize it. Share it.

GIVE ME MORE
Each week we provide some follow up questions to each message. Grab a friend or two and make your own group. Invest in each other. Follow & pray for each other during the week. Help each other take steps. 

Comments

[Wendy Swartz]

Well put, Matt. This is my favorite part, "So don't be weird, just be yourself. Don't be pushy, just share your experience. Respect people and the process. Pray and ask God to help you see opportunities to share his love and message through our words and actions."
Thanks.