RESOURCING YOUR STORY
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CHANCE ENCOUNTERS
Over the next three weeks we will share one resource as an example for each of the three categories we have introduced you to during Envoy. Chance encounters. Connected people. Chosen people. 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.
Jesus at the Door.
Short bio:
You show people a picture of Jesus at the door and ask if they have ever seen it before. It engages people instantly and suddenly you are into the steps of the script. Its so quick that you need to have very clearly thought out your follow up and contact.
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Best suited to:
Street evangelism, door to door and random moments with passer by types.
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Could be adapted for:
If you've shared your faith and the person wants to take a step of faith then you could easily use this.
If you run say a 3-week faith exploration then this would suit the final week.
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Not so good for:
People who really dislike scripted evangelism.
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Personal experience/How you might use it:
As I don't like scripted resources I found this one hard to use and yet thousands in the UK and Ireland have come to faith through it in recent years. My first time to give it a go, the person teaching me nipped away to buy water. I used it and got stuck after the first question because I couldn't remember the script. So I showed the guy (a kickboxer) the script and we had finished it in under 5 minutes and he'd given his life to Christ. I could hardly believe it. If you've trained in Jesus at the Door already then have a look at the alternative which is also a script but a series of questions (ignore the fact that it is talking about students. The same questions and principles apply anywhere).
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Link:
For those who have done it before here is something different. Conversational evangelism.
Why Jesus, Why Easter, Why Christmas.
Short bio:
Very short booklets that explain in easy language the title of each. From the home of Alpha.
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Best suited to:
Really this can be used from complete strangers to family, friend, colleagues and neighbours of all ages.
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Could be adapted for:
It is designed to give away for the person to read alone but like any literature it becomes even better if you offer to read it with the person and talk about it together as you go. Think of it as a book club!
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Not so good for:
People who find reading difficult or embarrassing.
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Personal experience/How you might use it:
I should probably use it more often and keep a copy of Why Jesus with me all the time. It is best served warm! By that I mean if you've shared even a tiny bit of your story or you've prayed with someone you end by giving this booklet but do explain why you are giving it, what it is about and ideally arrange a time to meet up to find out what they thought about it.
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Link:
The link will bring you to all the booklets in the series.
A copy of one of the gospels.
Short bio:
I think this one explains itself. I hope!
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Best suited to:
Really this can be used from complete strangers to family, friend, colleagues and neighbours of all ages.
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Could be adapted for:
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Not so good for:
People who find reading difficult or embarrassing.
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Personal experience/How you might use it:
As as with the Why Jesus? You get to give away one of the gospels. Mark is pretty easy to read. Again explain why you are given it and ideally arrange to meet up to read it with them.
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Link:
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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 course. 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 good in communities or families that have had difficulty or breakdown.
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Could be adapted for:
Not sure.
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Not so good for:
Quick or overt evangelism.
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Personal experience/How you might use it:
I haven't used it but know people who used the Happiness Lab to be the opener at introducing church to local community and beginning point of growing relationships that faith was then added to.
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Link:
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You Tube, Facebook, Instagram
Short bio:
An odd one right! People share videos, memes, GIFS all the time. It's cultural. If you’ve talked to someone about your faith then ask them can you send them a video that is connected or just hand over your smart phone. Imagine sharing this one from Good Morning Britain and asking after, what did you think? Or this one from a former athiest. A Challenge for you, sit with a friend and watch this spoken word description of the GOSPEL and then ask, what did you think BUT try and progress the conversation a bit further than simply swapping opinion.
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Best suited to:
People who love to swipe. Those who are prolifically active on social media and consider a WhatApp community as good as meeting in person. If you love updating your story/feed then this is a great way to communicate your faith.
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Could be adapted for:
A platform to discuss faith issues. A place to post videos, podcasts, blogs that share stories about Jesus. Especially if you can engage with comments from people.
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Not so good for:
Longevity of relationship. Safe depth of personal sharing.
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Personal experience/How you might use it:
I'm not energised by a life lived online and yet I know people who use youtube to post faith stories weekly on youtube and have a massive following and lots of private messages going on alongside it with people who are exploring faith. I have shared videos like this one just under 2 minutes long, I get out my smart phone and watch it with someone and ask what they think and use it as a platform to start a faith conversation. You tube is awash with videos you can use.
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Link:
I think you probably already know where to find them.
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3 circles.
Short bio:
You draw three circles and add aspects to them that explain the gospel to whoever you are with.
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Best suited to:
People who like something visual to engage with or explain with. Its easy to draw on any scrap of paper.
If you like using analogy then this is a good one.
Its visual for both you and them. That makes it easier to remember the ‘script’
Who doesn’t have a pen and paper! OK so you don’t have a pen and paper. Its available as an app.
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Could be adapted for:
Street evangelism as well as drawing a faith conversation to its conclusion by focusing on Jesus and then a great platform to ask if that person would like to respond.
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Not so good for:
Those who don't like a script. ​
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Personal experience/How you might use it:
I've done sketch board but not 3 circles. A similar concept. I like that by having a drawing happening as you explain, you can hold the attention of the listener for longer.
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Link:
Two minute testimonies.
Short bio:
Focus on the testimonies of young people. Each video is around 2 minutes (shortest 49 seconds). You can direct people to the website to hear young adults tell their story of faith.
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Best suited to:
People who are primarily visual audio learners. Good for those who prefer not to read. Good for the quickest testimony ever.
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Could be adapted for:
Street evangelism.
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Not so good for:
moments you have no wifi!!!
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Personal experience/How you might use it:
As I said above you could simply direct people to this website and let them have a look. Before you do that, you really should have watched some so you can pick up the theme of each and so know where to direct people to exactly. I've used it in street evangelism. I've asked people if they'd watch a 1 minute video and then tell me what they think after watching it. That becomes the starting point of a conversation for those who stay to watch with me. You could also use it instead of giving something like Why Jesus, but rather than simply posting it or messaging it to a friend it is far better to watch it with them an ask what they think/feel after watching it.
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Link:
This is a very short and limited list. There is much more available and we are always up for hearing about other resources so do let us know. If you've reached this point and still are thinking but its that start point I still need to get my head around. You could arrange to meet 1-1 with someone else from your meet up community. If it's the dread and fear of speaking to someone then perhaps this podcast about fear recorded for Xplore might be helpful. But before you go, here is a video that will motivate (or challenge) you.