The Power of Presence: Showing You Care Before You Share

Welcome to the blog! In this post, we'll be diving deeper into a crucial aspect of sharing our faith: the power of presence and the importance of showing you care before you share the Gospel. This blog post expands on the themes discussed in our latest podcast episode, 224: Reasons You Don’t Share The Gospel – It Is Not Easy to Bring Up the Conversation, where Pastor Adam and Steph explored the reasons why sharing the Gospel can feel so challenging. We discuss the importance of developing relationships with people that allow you to show you care well before you share. This blog post explores practical ways to demonstrate genuine care and build a foundation of trust, ultimately making sharing your faith a more natural and impactful experience.

Introduction: Setting the Stage for Genuine Connection

In a world saturated with information and noise, genuine connection is becoming increasingly rare and valuable. We live in an age where we can connect with thousands of people online, yet often feel deeply disconnected from those around us. This disconnection is especially relevant when it comes to sharing our faith. Simply presenting the Gospel without first establishing a genuine connection can feel impersonal, forced, and ultimately, ineffective.

Think about it: would you be more receptive to advice from a stranger on the street or from a trusted friend who consistently demonstrates that they care about your well-being? The same principle applies to sharing the Gospel. People are far more likely to be open to hearing about your faith if they know that you genuinely care about them as individuals. This means investing time, energy, and emotional effort into building relationships based on trust, empathy, and authentic concern for their lives.

Setting the stage for genuine connection requires a shift in perspective. It's not about seeing people as potential converts but rather as individuals with unique stories, struggles, and aspirations. It's about being present in their lives, offering support, and demonstrating that you value them for who they are, not for who you hope they will become. This foundation of genuine connection is the fertile ground in which seeds of faith can be planted and nurtured.

Why Presence Matters: Building a Foundation of Trust

Presence is more than just physical proximity; it's about being fully engaged and attentive in the moment, offering your undivided attention and empathy to the person in front of you. In a world of distractions, the simple act of being truly present can be a powerful demonstration of care and respect.

Why does presence matter so much? Because it builds trust. Trust is the bedrock of any meaningful relationship, and it is especially crucial when it comes to sharing something as deeply personal as your faith. People are naturally wary of those they don't trust, and they are unlikely to be receptive to their message, no matter how compelling it may be.

Trust is earned over time through consistent actions and genuine behavior. It's about showing up when you say you will, keeping your promises, and being reliable and dependable. It's about listening attentively without judgment, offering support without expecting anything in return, and demonstrating that you genuinely care about the other person's well-being. When people feel that you are genuinely invested in their lives, they are more likely to trust you, and that trust creates an open door for deeper conversations about faith and spirituality.

Consider the story of Jesus. He didn't just preach to crowds from a distance; he spent time with individuals, ate meals with them, listened to their stories, and healed their wounds. He demonstrated his love and care through his actions, and it was this genuine presence that drew people to him and made them receptive to his message. We are called to emulate this example, building relationships based on trust and demonstrating our care through our actions.

Practical Ways to Show You Care (Before You Share)

So, how do we put this into practice? Here are some practical ways to show you care and build a foundation of trust before sharing the Gospel:

• Listen Actively: Put down your phone, make eye contact, and truly listen to what the other person is saying. Ask clarifying questions, show genuine interest in their thoughts and feelings, and resist the urge to interrupt or offer unsolicited advice.
• Offer Practical Help: Look for opportunities to offer practical assistance, whether it's helping someone move, running errands, or providing a listening ear during a difficult time. These acts of service demonstrate that you care about their well-being and are willing to go the extra mile.
• Be Empathetic: Try to understand the other person's perspective, even if you don't agree with it. Acknowledge their feelings and validate their experiences. Let them know that you are there for them, regardless of their beliefs or circumstances.
• Show Appreciation: Express gratitude for the people in your life. Let them know that you value their presence, their contributions, and their unique qualities. A simple thank you can go a long way in building a stronger relationship.
• Be Present in Their Lives: Attend their events, celebrate their successes, and offer support during their struggles. Show that you are invested in their lives and that you care about what matters to them.
• Be Consistent: Consistency is key to building trust. Show up when you say you will, keep your promises, and be reliable and dependable. Let people know that they can count on you.
• Pray for Them: Even if you don't explicitly tell them, praying for the people in your life is a powerful way to show you care. Ask God to bless them, protect them, and guide them in their journey.

These are just a few examples, and the specific actions you take will depend on the individual and the context. The key is to be intentional, genuine, and consistent in your efforts to show you care.

Living Out Your Faith: Examples from Scripture (Luke 19:1-10)

The Bible is full of examples of people who demonstrated care and compassion before sharing their faith. One particularly compelling story is found in Luke 19:1-10, the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus.

Zacchaeus was a wealthy tax collector, a profession that was despised by the Jewish people because tax collectors often collaborated with the Roman authorities and were known for their dishonesty. When Jesus came to Jericho, Zacchaeus, being a short man, climbed a sycamore tree to get a better view of him.

Jesus, seeing Zacchaeus in the tree, called out to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately! I must stay at your house today." This was a shocking act of grace and acceptance. Jesus, knowing Zacchaeus' reputation, chose to associate with him, breaking down social barriers and demonstrating his love and compassion.

Zacchaeus was overjoyed and immediately welcomed Jesus into his home. As they shared a meal together, Zacchaeus was transformed. He stood up and said to Jesus, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."

Jesus responded, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

This story illustrates the power of presence and the transformative impact of showing care. Jesus didn't lecture Zacchaeus or condemn him for his past actions. He simply extended grace and acceptance, and that act of love transformed Zacchaeus' heart and opened him up to the Gospel.

Like Jesus, we are called to reach out to those who are often overlooked or marginalized, to show them love and compassion, and to create opportunities for them to encounter the grace of God.

Overcoming the Awkwardness: Tips for Natural Interactions

One of the biggest challenges in sharing our faith is overcoming the awkwardness that can often accompany these conversations. It can feel uncomfortable to transition from everyday small talk to deeper discussions about spirituality.

Here are some tips for making these interactions more natural and authentic:

• Start with Common Ground: Begin by finding common interests and shared experiences. Talk about your hobbies, your families, your work, or current events. Building a connection on common ground can help to ease the tension and create a more comfortable atmosphere.
• Ask Open-Ended Questions: Instead of asking questions that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no," ask open-ended questions that encourage the other person to share their thoughts and feelings. For example, instead of asking "Do you go to church?", try asking "What are your thoughts on spirituality?"
• Share Your Own Experiences: Be willing to share your own experiences with faith and spirituality. Talk about what you believe, why you believe it, and how it has impacted your life. Sharing your own story can make you more relatable and approachable.
• Listen More Than You Talk: Remember that the goal is to build a connection, not to win an argument. Listen attentively to what the other person is saying, and resist the urge to interrupt or offer unsolicited advice.
• Be Respectful of Their Beliefs: Even if you disagree with their beliefs, be respectful and avoid being judgmental or condescending. Remember that everyone is on their own journey, and it's not your job to force them to believe what you believe.
• Don't Force It: If the conversation feels forced or uncomfortable, don't push it. It's better to end the conversation gracefully and revisit the topic at another time.
• Pray for Guidance: Ask God to give you wisdom and discernment in your conversations with others. Pray for opportunities to share your faith in a natural and authentic way.

Remember that sharing your faith is a process, not a one-time event. It takes time to build relationships, earn trust, and create opportunities for meaningful conversations. Be patient, be persistent, and trust that God will use your efforts to touch the lives of others.

The Impact of Authentic Relationships: Opening Doors for the Gospel

When we prioritize building authentic relationships based on care and trust, we create an environment where the Gospel can flourish. People are more likely to be receptive to our message when they know that we genuinely care about them and that we are not just trying to "convert" them.

Authentic relationships open doors for meaningful conversations about faith and spirituality. When people feel safe and accepted, they are more likely to be open to exploring their beliefs and considering new perspectives. They may even ask you questions about your faith, giving you an opportunity to share your story and explain why you believe what you believe.

Furthermore, authentic relationships provide opportunities for us to demonstrate the love of Christ in tangible ways. When we serve others, offer support, and show compassion, we are living out our faith and embodying the values of the Gospel. These actions can speak louder than words and have a profound impact on the lives of those around us.

Ultimately, the goal is not just to share the Gospel but to make disciples, to walk alongside others on their journey of faith, and to help them grow in their relationship with God. This requires a long-term commitment to building authentic relationships and demonstrating the love of Christ in all that we do.

Conclusion: Care First, Share Second – A Lasting Impact

In conclusion, the power of presence and the importance of showing you care before you share the Gospel cannot be overstated. Building a foundation of trust, empathy, and genuine concern for others is essential for creating an environment where the seeds of faith can be planted and nurtured. By listening actively, offering practical help, being empathetic, showing appreciation, being present in their lives, and being consistent, we can demonstrate our care and build authentic relationships that open doors for the Gospel.

Remember the example of Jesus and Zacchaeus, and strive to emulate his love and compassion in your interactions with others. Overcome the awkwardness by starting with common ground, asking open-ended questions, sharing your own experiences, and listening more than you talk. And always be respectful of others' beliefs, remembering that everyone is on their own journey.

As we discussed in episode 224: Reasons You Don’t Share The Gospel – It Is Not Easy to Bring Up the Conversation, sharing the Gospel is not always easy, but it is a calling we are all invited to embrace. By prioritizing care over simply sharing, we can have a lasting impact on the lives of those around us and help them discover the transformative power of God's love. So, let us strive to be present, to be caring, and to be authentic in all that we do, knowing that our efforts will bear fruit in due season.