Finding God at Work

We all live inside stories. When someone's seeking, trying to get to a point of resolution, trying to get answers, then the story of the Bible can come alive for them with new urgency and clarity. This is the most fruitful time in someone's journey toward Jesus to dig into the stories of faith with them. We're following Jesus' lead here; he taught using stories—specifcally, using parables. These stories are not just illustrations for prepositional ideas. They're metaphors to *live inside of.* We can share the parables of Jesus themselves, which have unique power to convey the reality of God's kingdom. We can also imitate Jesus by finding parables in our everyday lives and sharing them gently and earnestly with our friends who are seeking. Sources: Mark 4:30-32 (NIV) Ezekiel 17:22-24 (NIV) Kenneth E. Bailey, Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2008). Don Everts and Doug Schaupp, I Once Was Lost: What Postmodern Skeptics Taught Us About Their Path to Jesus (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2008). Friendship Evangelism: The 5 Thresholds toward Faith, InterVarsity Evangelism, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA. #FindingGodAtWork #FaithAndWork #GoodNews #Gospel #TheGospel #InterVarsity #Seeking #Seeker #Seek #Questions #Conversation #Parables #Mark4 #Ezekiel17 #KenBailey #FiveThresholds #5Thresholds #DonEverts #DougSchaupp #IOnceWasLost #Personal #Witness #Evangelism #Evangelical #Evangelicalism #GentleWitnesses #Mission #SpiritualFormation #ChristianLife #MissionCentral

There's a difference between having a kind of meandering interest in something and actively seeking it. When spiritual questions become urgent for someone, they're seeking. They want answers. When someone's at this stage, we can include them in our communities—places where they can ask their questions honestly and deeply. We can also help them clarify their quest and focus it on Jesus. Our friends and coworkers may begin to ask questions like: Who do I think Jesus really was? What are the "dealbreaker" issues for me when it comes to faith? Could I really trust Jesus with my life? We can also help them count the cost. Are they ready to follow Jesus . . . With their possessions and money? With their relationships and sexuality? With their career and whatever power they have? Because seeking involves seriously considering a new way of life, it can't last forever. The tension of putting everything on the line is too great. Often, people only spend *three months* at the seeking threshold before deciding whether or not to follow Jesus. So, we want to be there when someone is ready to start seeking. If we show up when they're ready to dig in, we might get to see some of the most powerful moments in their journey toward faith. Sources: Luke 14:25-33 (ESV) Don Everts and Doug Schaupp, I Once Was Lost: What Postmodern Skeptics Taught Us About Their Path to Jesus (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2008). Friendship Evangelism: The 5 Thresholds toward Faith, InterVarsity Evangelism, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA. #FindingGodAtWork #FaithAndWork #GoodNews #Gospel #TheGospel #InterVarsity #Seeking #Seeker #Seek #Questions #Conversation #Apologetics #Luke14 #FiveThresholds #5Thresholds #DonEverts #DougSchaupp #IOnceWasLost #Personal #Witness #Evangelism #Evangelical #Evangelicalism #GentleWitnesses #Mission #SpiritualFormation #ChristianLife #MissionCentral

Cats—even affectionate ones—are often less than fond of crowds. They can get a bit skittish. They stay aloof. Some of our coworkers are like that, too. It's not that they're unkind or rude; it's just hard to see them open up. They're a bit . . . aloof. Let's not assume that someone isn't open just because they aren't *immediately* open. Sometimes, you just have to find the right context to put someone at ease. When someone is willing to be open with you, that may create a safe space where they're willing to also explore being open to Jesus. Sources: Revelation 3:20 (NIV) Nan Porter Bill Gaultiere, "Jesus Will Walk Right Up to You," Soul Shepherding. Arthur Bennett, The Valley of Vision (Carlisle, Pennsylvania: Banner of Truth, 1975). #FindingGodAtWork #FaithAndWork #GoodNews #Gospel #TheGospel #InterVarsity #Open #Openness #Vulnerability #Change #Conversation #Conversion #NanPorter #DallasWillard #ArthurBennett #ValleyofVision #FiveThresholds #5Thresholds #DonEverts #DougSchaupp #IOnceWasLost #Personal #Witness #Evangelism #Evangelical #Evangelicalism #GentleWitnesses #Mission #SpiritualFormation #ChristianLife #MissionCentral

In their journey toward Jesus, our friends eventually may get to the point where they ask, "Could this change me?" Sometimes it sneaks up on people unexpectedly. They've been exploring ideas or talking with a Christian friend, and suddenly they realize, "Something is happening inside of me." We want to be really attentive to this moment when it's happening for someone. We can help them begin to connect the dots. Sources: Luke 1:38 (ESV) Luke 18:22-33 (ESV) C.S. Lewis, Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life (New York: Harvest/Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1955). John Paul II. Dominum et Vivificantem [Encyclical Letter on the Holy Spirit in the Life of the Church and the World], The Holy See, May 18, 1986. Daniel Goleman, Emotional intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ (10th Anniversary ed., New York: Bantam Books, 2005). Don Everts and Doug Schaupp, I Once Was Lost: What Postmodern Skeptics Taught Us About Their Path to Jesus (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2008). Friendship Evangelism: The 5 Thresholds toward Faith, InterVarsity Evangelism, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA. #FindingGodAtWork #FaithAndWork #GoodNews #Gospel #TheGospel #InterVarsity #Open #Openness #Vulnerability #Change #Conversation #Conversion #CSLewis #SurprisedByJoy #FiveThresholds #5Thresholds #DonEverts #DougSchaupp #IOnceWasLost #Personal #Witness #Evangelism #Evangelical #Evangelicalism #GentleWitnesses #Mission #SpiritualFormation #ChristianLife #MissionCentral

In this special episode, Chris interviews Weija Chang and Rose Brucal, his coworkers and co-conspirators at Northern Illinois Food Bank. These three started an unofficial lunchtime discussion group together called Hungry for More, a place where coworkers have permission to talk about the issues that often get skipped over at work: faith, politics, social issues, and more. Listen up to hear how they put the group together, what forming a culture of listening looks like, and how simple it can be to make space for deeper conversations. #FindingGodAtWork #FaithAndWork #GoodNews #Gospel #TheGospel #InterVarsity #Curious #Exploration #Conversation #Discussion #Listening #Lunchtime #AskQuestions #NonJudgmental #Spaces #FiveThresholds #5Thresholds #DonEverts #DougSchaupp #IOnceWasLost #Personal #Witness #Evangelism #Evangelical #Evangelicalism #GentleWitnesses #Mission #SpiritualFormation #ChristianLife #MissionCentral

In the New Testament, we see the Good News being proclaimed to and through communities of people. Sharing the Good News is not a solo endeavor. It's something that we do together in community with other believers. But what does that look like when you're at work? It's not like your whole church goes to work with you. What if you could be the one to catalyze disciples of Jesus coming together in your workplace to invite others into spiritual discovery? If you're a leader, you can gather others. If you're not, you can pray for God to send a Christian friend to gather *you*! Sources: Acts 2:1 (NIV) Faith & Work Movement (Learn to start a faith-based ERG) Q Place (Learn to start an authentic conversation group) Don Everts and Doug Schaupp, I Once Was Lost: What Postmodern Skeptics Taught Us About Their Path to Jesus (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2008). Friendship Evangelism: The 5 Thresholds toward Faith, InterVarsity Evangelism, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA. #FindingGodAtWork #FaithAndWork #GoodNews #Gospel #TheGospel #InterVarsity #Curious #Exploration #Conversation #AskQuestions #NonJudgmental #Spaces #ERG #F&WM #QPlace #FiveThresholds #5Thresholds #DonEverts #DougSchaupp #IOnceWasLost #Personal #Witness #Evangelism #Evangelical #Evangelicalism #GentleWitnesses #Mission #SpiritualFormation #ChristianLife #MissionCentral

Many people are not antagonistic toward Christianity, but they aren't deeply curious about it either. They're just doing life, moving along. They might have some awareness of Jesus and some Christian friends. But it's just not their driving concern at the moment. So the question is, how can we come alongside people and help gently provoke curiosity? We don't need to be anxious about it. We're just gently nudging people in the direction of Jesus. Sources: Luke 18:35-43 (NIV) Don Everts and Doug Schaupp, I Once Was Lost: What Postmodern Skeptics Taught Us About Their Path to Jesus (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2008). Friendship Evangelism: The 5 Thresholds toward Faith, InterVarsity Evangelism, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA. #FindingGodAtWork #FaithAndWork #GoodNews #Gospel #TheGospel #InterVarsity #Listen #Listener #ActiveListening #AskQuestions #Paraphrase #Attention #NonJudgmental #Silence #FiveThresholds #5Thresholds #DonEverts #DougSchaupp #IOnceWasLost #Personal #Witness #Evangelism #Evangelical #Evangelicalism #GentleWitnesses #Mission #SpiritualFormation #ChristianLife #MissionCentral

In Luke 18, Jesus asks a man who was blind, "What do you want me to do for you?" He doesn't assume. He asks. He lets the man speak in his own voice. He honors his autonomy. Then a moment of faith and healing occurs. We can learn to do the same as our Master: Listening well, in a way that lets others speak in their own voices. We can . . . Q U - Ask questions to understand P - Paraphrase what they said back to them A - Pay attention N - Bring a non-judgmental presence S - Be okay with silence When we listen well, we love like Jesus does. Sources: Luke 18:35-43 (NIV) Don Everts and Doug Schaupp, I Once Was Lost: What Postmodern Skeptics Taught Us About Their Path to Jesus (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2008). Friendship Evangelism: The 5 Thresholds toward Faith, InterVarsity Evangelism, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA. #FindingGodAtWork #FaithAndWork #GoodNews #Gospel #TheGospel #InterVarsity #Listen #Listener #ActiveListening #AskQuestions #Paraphrase #Attention #NonJudgmental #Silence #FiveThresholds #5Thresholds #DonEverts #DougSchaupp #IOnceWasLost #Personal #Witness #Evangelism #Evangelical #Evangelicalism #GentleWitnesses #Mission #SpiritualFormation #ChristianLife #MissionCentral

Who do you trust most? Trust is foundational to our relationship with God. Think about faith: In terms of covenant, faith is loyalty. In terms of the intellect, faith is belief. In terms of relationship, faith is trust. If we want to help others come to see Jesus as worthy of their trust, we have to become trustworthy ourselves. Sources: Don Everts and Doug Schaupp, I Once Was Lost: What Postmodern Skeptics Taught Us About Their Path to Jesus (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2008). Friendship Evangelism: The 5 Thresholds toward Faith, InterVarsity Evangelism, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA. #FindingGodAtWork #FaithAndWork #GoodNews #Gospel #TheGospel #InterVarsity #Trust #Trustworthy #FiveThresholds #5Thresholds #DonEverts #DougSchaupp #IOnceWasLost #Personal #Witness #Evangelism #Evangelical #Evangelicalism #GentleWitnesses #Mission #SpiritualFormation #ChristianLife #MissionCentral

Have you ever had a really good teacher? Part of what makes a teacher great is their ability to see where their student's "zone of proximal development" is. What is the next step that this student can take that's going to be challenging, but that they can master with guidance and help? People also need guidance on taking their next steps in faith. Don Everts and Doug Schaupp, two leaders from InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, found that there are five common steps that people take on the way toward faith in Jesus: The Five Thresholds. They are: Trusting a Christian Friend Becoming Curious Opening Up to Change Seeking After God Entering the Kingdom When we get to know this framework, it can help us meet people where they're at and truly serve them in their spiritual journey. Sources: Saul McLeod, "Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development," Child Psychology, Simply Psychology (August 9, 2024). Don Everts and Doug Schaupp, I Once Was Lost: What Postmodern Skeptics Taught Us About Their Path to Jesus (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2008). Friendship Evangelism: The 5 Thresholds toward Faith, InterVarsity Evangelism, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA. #FindingGodAtWork #FaithAndWork #GoodNews #Gospel #TheGospel #InterVarsity #FiveThresholds #5Thresholds #DonEverts #DougSchaupp #IOnceWasLost #Personal #Witness #Evangelism #Evangelical #Evangelicalism #GentleWitnesses #Mission #SpiritualFormation #ChristianLife #MissionCentral