DO YOU HAVE NON-BELIEVERS IN YOUR LIFE YOU ARE REACHING OUT TO?

Of course, you do, as we know we are to be a light to the world!* ABF wants to help equip you to share your faith and to do that we are committed to supporting you in a few ways. Firstly, we want to educate you on all of the resources that we have available to be extended outward, through you, so that your friend, relative, or person you are reaching out to has as many tools available to them. We are hoping this will be an easy step-by-step guide to help you as you reach out to non-believers.

*Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

(ASSESS, CONNECT, EXTEND, SUPPORT)

When talking with those people in your life who are non-believers we seek to go through the A.C.E.S. process. We tend to naturally do this on our own but this process is formally adopted into how ABF supports relationships. The first step is to ASSESS where the person is in their relationship with God. We take an account of who they are, what their worldview is, and what they need. To do this we have come up with a survey of questions that can help give an overview as to where they are at. Are they looking for a change? Are they searching? Let’s find out together!

This survey can be talked through over coffee, a meal together, or over many weeks/months of relationship (whatever pace and manner you decide!). As you go through each question more questions will arise, and they may have questions for you! The goal here is to share your hope as they engage with you and begin to question why you are different and what Christianity has to offer that the world has no answer for.

  1. Get familiar with the questions. (We don’t want this to be an interigation or robotic process)
  2. Learn to listen. As you ask the questions on the survey we sometimes can get defensive and eager to answer them for the person, resist the temptation to debate them and start with hearing where they are at. The best way to get someone to hear you is if they want to know the answer and engage back with questions they have.
  3. Ask follow up questions. If you get into a place where their worldview isn’t wholistic ask them questions like ”how has that been for you?” ”can you tell me how that works in this scenario?”
  4. Don’t worry about knowing all the answers right away! (We all have questions and this is a good time to answer them for yourself as well)
  5. Look for cues that they are open for CONNECTION. (You are not alone and the hope is to connect them with more resources to aid their search for truth as we go into the next step of the A.C.E.S. process)

DO THEY WANT TO CONNECT?

What resources would they be willing to connect to? Do they want to come to church, attend a bible study with you or join a ministry hangout? If so, let a member of leadership know and invite them to the next gathering. We have lots of options for online and at-home support as well. Refresh yourself on all the options here:

Invite the External Ministries Staff to join you in your outreach. Reach out to Heidi or Bethany in-person, by phone, or email connect@abfpdx.org. We would love to meet and assist in connecting those you are reaching out to!