Immanuel Reformed Church

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The Jesus Approach

Jesus was an Eastern Rabbi. True to His culture, He taught mainly through illustration while the students were left to dig out the concepts. This is almost the opposite in the way we teach religion in the West. We begin with a concept and then use illustrations in an attempt to support it. The post-modern generation that has emerged into the mainline 21^st century culture seems to have gravitated more to the Eastern mindset. They are not as attracted to the doctrinal concepts, apologetics, and systematic theology that was so popular only a generation ago. They are now more attracted to and convinced by illustration – and the illustration that seems to attract (or repel) them most is our own stories. They are not as likely to respond to listening to doctrine about God’s love as they are to observing and experiencing people who live God’s love. The church must learn to become relational in our outreach efforts. When we consistently illustrate the ‘Great Commandment’ (love God with your all, and your neighbor as yourself), the Holy Spirit begins to formulate the gospel concept in them. This builds bridges to relationships. As we earnestly listen to their stories they ask us to share our stories. It’s not a ‘spiritual gift’ that is unique to only a small percentage of Christ followers. It’s something that every ordinary believer can, and should be doing. We truly believe that God uses ordinary believers – otherwise, why would He have made so many of them?