We often say, 'If you preach the gospel in ways that Jewish people can hear, lots of others will listen in.' That's why I've written a book on mission strategy: to share what years of reaching Jewish people for Jesus have taught me about innovation, creativity and cultural sensitivity. The following excerpt offers insights to help you communicate with all kinds of people.
It was my first day attending the Taub Seminar, a graduate-level Jewish studies class at NYU. I was surrounded by Jewish thought leaders, including CEOs of Jewish organisations, as well as rabbis. To my horror, the professor started the class by asking each of us to introduce ourselves, share briefly what we do and tell the class how we hope to change the world. I wasn't expecting to talk about Jews for Jesus in my first 10 minutes of class. I knew each Jewish person in the room had their own version or understanding of Jews for Jesus. The majority of which I knew to be negative. Yet, I was being presented with an opportunity to reframe it.
When it was my turn, I explained that I had grown up with Jewish-Gentile parents and had joined Jews for Jesus to help other Jewish people find out more about the rich teachings of Jesus.
I looked around the room as I shared and saw a few faces turning from uneasy to curious. No one scowled. No one told me to leave. It seems I had survived the first 10 minutes of class. Fantastic! The real test would be how well I would relate to my fellow classmates for the rest of the semester.
I could have recited our Jews for Jesus mission statement or rattled off our different ministry activities. But telling a story about my upbringing felt like the right thing to do in a room full of Jewish people.
Research shows that our brains are actually wired for hearing stories, receptive and empathetic to other people. That is why people can spend ten hours binge-watching the latest season of their favourite show. Stories draw us in.
This is by design. God created us with hearts and minds that tune into stories. Thousands of years ago, God commanded the people of Israel to retell the story of how death passed over Israel each Passover. We continue to tell this Jewish story of redemption each year, and no matter how many times we've retold it, it is still able to captivate the hearts and imaginations of young and old alike.
Prophets frequently told stories. When Nathan confronted David, he could have just levelled with him. 'David, the Lord is angry. You had Uriah murdered, and you committed adultery with his wife Bathsheba.' Instead, in 2 Samuel 12:1-7, he tells David a story about two men: a rich man with herds and flocks and a poor man with one tiny lamb. The poor man cared for his sheep night and day, and it became like a member of his household. The rich man, instead of killing one of his own flock to feed a visitor, took the poor man's only sheep, killed it and offered it to the visitor instead of one of his own sheep. David, hearing this story, was outraged by the audacity and greed of this man. It was at that moment that Nathan told him: 'You are that man!'
Jesus Himself was a master storyteller. His parables were able to cut through even the hardest hearts and draw people in. The most important event in history was framed as a story. God didn't just give us bullet points of how He saved the world. He used four gospel writers to tell a rich, detailed story of how God loved us and of the Son He sent to save us from death itself.
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I hope you enjoyed this excerpt from my new book, Mission Design: Leading Your Ministry Through Organizational and Cultural Change.
While it's written with leaders in mind, this book is truly for anyone passionate about sharing Jesus -- especially faithful partners like you. Order your copy of Mission Design and start growing in confidence, clarity and compassion. Then put what you learn into action to help your church, Bible study or community group thrive as you create spaces where the gospel can take root and transform lives.
To get your copy and explore Mission Design, visit: https://bit.ly/4nXkxEo