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Connected people
RESOURCING YOUR STORY
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CONNECTED PEOPLE
Below is a resource we are offering to you as an example for connected encounters. There are many many resources out there and we are happy to share more of them with you so do get in touch and we will point you in the right direction.
This weeks we want to give you resources for the different stages of connected relationships. As we always say don't watch/listen to like or dislike, agree or disagree with it, but to use it as a starting point for how you might engage with people you are already living life among. There are so many resources out there so this is just a brief introduction.
We picked this first resource for those who are still at the building connections stage. Let's say you've been part of a football team and they know you are a Christian. Maybe you are part of the Students Union at University, part of a Facebook group, a book club, a local campaign or hosted a charity event and people now know you are a Christian even if they don't know the details about that. This first resource gives you something to invite people along to that is incredibly low bar, social and creates a shared space that takes you beyond the small talk and normalises meeting with others around conversations that have a wee bit more depth to them.
The Ugly Duckling Co
Short bio:
If you are thinking you need a very light hook on which to connect faith conversations with others at work or University, or even on your street then one of the resources from TUDco might be ideal. The easiest is a game to play called table talk that generates conversations around a topic. Resolve (lasts 4 weeks) is great for those who are into self development and the Happiness Lab (6 weeks) looks at things that stop/help us be happy. Faith is background so it would be up to you to bring it to the foreground.
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Best suited to:
Those up for a very short 'course'/conversation around the kitchen table. Very light touch when it comes to Christianity and those who want to invite people to something and willing for relationships to deepen especially around issues of well being. Great in a University/college. The happiness lab is good in communities or families that have had personal difficulty or experienced breakdown.
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Could be adapted for:
Not sure.
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Not so good for:
Quick or overt evangelism. You have to pay for the resources to use them.
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Personal experience/How you might use it:
These resources sit great between that friend who knows you are a Christian, likes you but the conversation doesn't really get much further and the option of a course like Alpha or Christianity explored. You must know people who'd never set foot in a church or in a Christian course. Well this is your perfect in-between option.
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Link to the resources:
Puzzling Questions This is more overtly Christian and a good follow on from the previous three resources.
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Resource for connected people open to exploring faith.
We are making this super easy for you! If you've used the previous or similar resource to build early stage connection and to normalise having conversations about things that matter then perhaps some of those people are ready to explore faith. Remember don't outsource this to someone else. YOU DO IT! There are the obvious resources like Alpha or Christianity Explored or more gentle light touch (and shorter) introduction to faith through Being With, Sycamore or The Start Course.
This week we want to offer you something that wasn't created as an evangelism resource but would be a good fit with the Envoy culture. If you want help in working out how you might use it then just ask. The underlying nature of connected relationships is journey or process. We want our evangelism/discipleship to also evolve with the relationship and will therefore also look like journey or process.
The Chosen App
Short bio:
Think Netflix or favourite boxset except its about Jesus. It's available on youtube but we'd say avoid that platform unless you love adverts and interruptions. The best option is download The Chosen App from the Play store or Apple Store. You can watch as many or few as you like and just invite people to watch it with you or on their own but at the same time as you. When you meet up with them ask them what did they see or hear in the episode that they really valued? What questions follow that are really up to you!
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Best suited to:
Those who love to get caught up in a really good movie rather than read a book. Those who are cautious about signing up to a course or a meeting. Those who are live a bit chaotic, or multiple lives at once - it means they can connect in as and when they can. Those who are less interested in debating a theology or philosophy and more interested in being captured heart and soul. Those who may think they know the story of Jesus but you suspect they don't really.
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Could be adapted for:
A pre Alpha course or a lent/advent course.
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Not so good for:
Those who view life in black and white terms. Those who've had a great night out after debating the meaning of life and other lofty beyond comprehension (those who like to fit things in a box).
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Personal experience/How you might use it:
I'm currently watching it on and off with a friend who'd laugh me out of the room if I invited him anywhere near a church building or a course. We watch it for a few weeks, very occasionally in person but always the same episode on the same week. We then either have a WhatsApp exchange about it (mixed in with normal chit chat) or we sit in a very nice Mexican restaurant and exchange why Jesus blows our minds.
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Link to the resources:
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