Meeting people where they are...

Going to see our house this week

looking at the shed, the neighbourhood, crossing the street (in Hobart)

- taking our life off pause - connecting with Worldview (Dani speaking in 2 weeks' time)

Maria going to the mum's groups

1. Meeting people where they are: Models the incarnation

John 4:7-26 (1-38) is the longest story featuring a woman (the Chosen), the longest gospel story with Jesus, the love story, the mission story, our story

Jesus sees us, takes the time to speak, to listen, and requests us to be with him and when we get a glimpse of the freedom in him we are to go and share that with others.

2 corinthians 5:19-21 “that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

We are reconciled and the righteousness of God

» In Jesus, God broke into human history. He physically entered a particular culture and context, and He engaged with that culture and context. Like with the Samaritan woman and so many others, He met people where they were. And He crossed the street to do so.

God moved first. In marriages, in friendships, in business, with our kids we can both want something and wait for the other to give it to us (who will blink first), to make the first move. An apology, recognition, when so and so does this I will respond with this. God made the first move.

» This is our example to follow. When we step out of our comfort zones to go to people, rather than expect them to come to us, we follow in Jesus’ footsteps.

Last year or 2 my go-to line has been ‘Be comfortable with being uncomfortable.’

but in this is the space where we are reminded that we are loved by the father, empowered by the spirit, and Sent like the son.

2. Meeting people where they are Is motivated by love

» Jesus’ motivation for engaging with the Samaritan woman is love. Non-judgemental, compassionate, dignifying and barrier-breaking love that responds to the innate longings of the woman - to belong, to find peace, to find community.

» Jesus’ love extends to ALL. Not only did Jesus converse with the Samaritan woman, He also drank water from her bucket (a bucket that would have been seen as unclean by the Jewish community). Everyone can come to Jesus.

This Corner stories of programs for mothers

Homemakers (late 40s)

Mrs Lillian Roberts-Thomson was responsible with her Husband (John) for the formation of the group called Homemakers. she was quietly spoken, but she was a great influence for good in the church in her own right. the aim of the Homemakers was to provide fellowship and teaching on a monthly basis to young married women who found it difficult to go out during the day to attend the group designed for older women… it enabled the younger women to get to know older women much better than would otherwise have been the case.

motivated by love, meeting people where they at.

Chat n Choose

One of the members who had been challenged to be more active in outreach was Elaine Carins, Elaine, cliff and several women decided to see Devonport church’s scheme in operation. They were all highly impressed and came back to Launceston fired with enthusiasm and determined to implement a similar scheme at Newstead. The work involved in translating enthusiasm into action was enormous, but Newstead Chat ‘n’ Choose successfully commenced operations at the beginning of 1992, run by a group of highly capable women of the church… Chat ‘n’ Choose provides instruction in arts and crafts and other skills in a small group in an informal setting in the church halls. Childcare is provided for those who need to bring babies or toddlers with them. the aim is to befriend people through this weekly activity, to get to know them and be available to help them in any way possible. In a sense, it is a bridge from the church to the wider community… The response has been overwhelming, with nearly 180 attending weekly at present time, 1995.

Endeavour, scouts, brigades, Basketball, street parties, youth groups, and seniors drop-in.

motivated by love, meeting people where they at.

Innovation (empowher)

3. Meeting people where they are: Opens Gospel opportunities

» This kind of non-judgemental love breaks down walls and opens opportunities to share the hope of the Gospel.

Andrew Hamilton WA

https://vimeo.com/703577815?embedded=true&source=vimeo_logo&owner=49301909

Mother in law advice - just live your ordinary life

Local Examples

Anita with the badminton, Evelyn in the retirement village (lord to return)

» Our Baptist Mission Australia intercultural teams know that it is in the context of the relationship that people are most open to faith conversations. When we listen to people, respect their beliefs and demonstrate that we genuinely care for them, then doors open for us to share the reason for our hope.

Sometimes we can be scared of people's questions, but God is not. Explore it with them together.

Closing prayer

Kids binging around chocolates