we didn't get much of a response for our first question, but we're gonna move on to question #2. you can respond to this question by clicking the "# comments" listed at the bottom of the post, it'll take you to another page and you can leave a comment...it'll be easy to read responses to the questions that way. thanks.
What has helped you most connect with lost students on your campus?
we'll have a new question next week, so please respond to this one soon! look forward to hearing from you.
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For me, I love getting to know people. People, espcially those who are lost, don't care what you have to say until they know you care about them. I try to show them that I care by getting to know them. Who are they? What do they like? Where have they been in life? I find this helps to communicate love and also find out what people's needs are.
Being authentic with them. Not approaching them with the purpose to convert them. Revealing myself to be human just like them as opposed to projecting a facade of perfect Christianness.
Honesty.
Trying to be the person on my floor who will stop and say hi to anyone on the floor. Being willing to help on menial tasks and thanking people who help me. Things like that open doors to talk to students because they know that I will listen to what they have to say.
For me personally, I would have to say that living in the dorm systems has been the greatest tool to connecting me with lost students. That being said, it was very similar to what the prior posts had said. I had to be very genuine in not looking at them as possible proselytes for the faith but as friends and people. I had to be there when their Grandma died, when their girlfriend cheated on them and when they had had too much to drink. Only after these hard times were had could we really connect on a deeper level than a video game or a sports fan.
great thoughts. i think you're all so right on. really needing to be in the lives of your friends...not just casually being around. but, really caring for people. matt r., i think you said it well, i think actually being there for people when the things of life happen makes such a difference. that's what makes a difference to people.
thanks for going for it on your campuses. you're jesus to people. we want to be a movement that is about everyone knowing someone who truly follows jesus. thanks for being that person in your corner of campus.
I find there are many ways to connect with non-believers on campus. Sometimes I just sit with random people in the cafeteria who are by themselves and ask them about who they are... simply being friendly. Other times I meet people through my friends in the dorms. Another good way is to join random games on campus, like volleyball or ultimate frisbee or whatever. I love all of these things... but when it comes down to it, the most effective one that I have used that has lead to seeing people coming to follow Christ has been to find people who seem alone, who seem hurt on the inside. You must approach them in love, engage their though, and find out why they feel empty. Meet them where they are, and show them that you care enough to invest your time to love them. It's completely ok to talk about spirituality in your conversations with them... in fact, the more you talk about your faith, the more questions they will often ask. A person who is empty needs to be filled... and when they see a person filled with love and joy, that want to know nothing more than how they are filled, even if that's not the context they recognize it in. It's for this reason that you can often find people open and receptive to the Gospel in these situations. However, it's easy to pass people by who are by themselves, especially when your friends are sitting 3 tables away, right?...
I think James 2:1-13 speaks volumes on this idea, and I want nothing more than to abide in practicing as Jesus did: "Mercy triumphs over judgment!"
“The Bible says that if you talk to somebody with your mouth, and your heart does not love them, you’re like a person standing there smashing two cymbals together. You’re only annoying everybody around you.”
- Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz.
One of the biggest things that really allowed me to connect with the lost students was simply to live life with them. We all want to be accepted by others and many people are going to wrong places for acceptance. By meeting people where they are in their spiritual maturity and adhering to their needs, they are able to open up and have NEW acceptance for who they are and what God has made them to be. People are simply willing to open up and talk about spiritual things as soon as they feel that they are not being judged.
Practically speaking...having lunch with them, playing video games, going to movies, playing intramurals together, etc. Of course, we are also called to live above reproach and not conform to the worldly sins. When they see you being more authentic they are willing ask questions which leads to a good conversations.
Matt... well said.
I find that everybody wants to be accepted. Jesus dined with (in Jewish culture = accepted) the tax collector before the tax collector repented. The best friends I have among non-Christians are those who I have truly cared about, spent time with, laughed with, and accepted regardless of their beliefs. After all, I want them to know the Lord because I love them.
I think being real with people, and truely listening to what people have to say. I find when I really listen to them they know that I care and am not there to judge them. I also find being human, and not trying to be perfect in everything I say.
I think that mine is similar to what everyone else has put. I've found that just being open to talking to the people around me, instead of staying closed off in my own little world while I'm on campus has made a big difference. Showing them that I want to know about them and listen, and then praying for opportunities and sharing with them who I am as well. I think I forget that not everyone on campus has a solid group of friends as I do, that many are probably lonely and in need of somebody to listen and get a little deeper with them.
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