Gospel, Community, Mission - Questions for People Who Struggle

Here are three questions I've started asking people who are struggling with life:

• Who's walking through this with you? (Big Idea: you were created for community)
• Who are you serving this week? (Big Idea: you were created to join God in his mission)
• Are you moving closer to or further away from Jesus? (Big Idea: you were created for Jesus)

These serve as basic ontological questions for those of us who suffer - reminding us of both our identity and purpose. They've been helpful with other Christians but last week I had two opportunities to ask these questions to people who aren't part of Jesus' family...yet. Both conversations were fruitful - both for the present situation and in providing open doors in the days ahead.

Comments

[adam lehman]

Matt.

Great thoughts.

In our student ministry (in suburban Columbus, OH), I'm training our adults to "be with" students. It is in those relationships that they are able to best speak truth and love and healing.

I'm going to give your list to our adult volunteers as I think your three categories (community, mission, and jesus) cover the major bases of what we deal with in students. I don't think it is limited to conversations with those who are "struggling with life" but those questions pose tremendous accountability to all of us.

[Chanel J12]

Do you agree that travel must one day revert to being a luxury