Recently, I read a post about how a friend was organizing neighborhood house parties as a way to build relationships with his neighborhoods and subsequently evangelizing them. I wrote this response.
When I read the paragraph about your neighborhood house party, it sparked my interest. You said, “She would be invited to our neighborhood house party. It is a very informal time where neighbors come together to get to know each other. We provide all the food and it lasts a couple of hours. During that time, we assess those who might be willing to be involved in a gospel reading night, in 6-8 weeks we read the Gospel of John. From those nights a Bible study night develops. We have used a variety of materials depending on gospel readiness, religious backgrounds, and age. This accomplishes all three v’s: vulnerable, visual, and verbal.”
First, let me comment on it. I agree with you that a millennial like Lindsay would benefit from getting to know them and building relationship. A neighborhood house party is a great place to start. I also agree that she is not ready Fay’s share Jesus without fear approach. As skeptical and suspicious as she seems to be about religious things, I would be extremely careful about anything that she can interpret as bait or an attempt by me to work towards her conversion. It might just make her put me into the same box she put Catholics and all those religious groups that are trying to change other people’s believes. That might make her leave. Instead, as you allude, I would focus on loving her unconditionally, being incarnational, serving her and praying. I would also be very careful because I’ve seen people who go out to help others who are addicted to something, only to be sucked into it themselves. I recently spoke with a client who used to talk to family members to quit smoking. Now, she hates herself because she is a smoker who can’t seem to quit.
The apostle Paul says in Galatians 6:1 “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”
Second, I love your idea of a neighborhood house party. After finishing your post, I went and discussed with my wife to see if we could do something like that. I think we would. We have been living in our current house since 2015. The first three years I was in a job-related training program and was too busy for something like this. But now, I think we can. I have been thinking of ways to build stronger relationships with my neighbors in hopes of serving them better and sharing the gospel when the time comes. With God’s blessings, this could work out well.
Lord Jesus, I pray that you would give us the wisdom to approach millennials like Lindsay and any other groups of people and share Christ with them in a way that touches them personally. I pray that when we organize events like neighborhood house parties, you would give us the wisdom to deal with each person in a way that benefits them most. May your holy spirit guide us so that you would be glorified in everything we do. In Jesus name amen!
