Seek Common Ground

Acts 17:22-23

So Paul, standing before the council, addressed the as follows: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, “To an unknown god.” What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.”

Yesterday we learned the importance of acquainting ourselves with the beliefs of those we are evangelising. Today we look at the second step –  seek common ground with them in their beliefs. Where you can establish common ground, you can gain a better hearing and present the gospel against the background of what Muslims already believe. Paul did this and you will find much power in witnessing when you do the same. “What you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.” Paul declared.

A very fine example of how Jesus himself used this approach is found in his famous conversation with the woman of Samaria. She came every day from the town of Sychar to draw water from Jacob’s well which was some distance away from it. Like the other inhabitants, she had no choice. Samaria is a semi-desert region and the well was the town’s lifeblood. When Jesus spoke to her of his own life-giving powers, he said: “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst, the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:13-14).

Jesus spoke right into the context of her immediate presence. She had to come every day to the well to draw water, but Jesus could place within her a well of limitless resources which would carry her through to eternal life. Here you can see how well the gospel can be communicated when it is presented against the background of what someone already knows or believes and the various religious contexts in which you may find them.

Today's Prayer

Thank God that all truth comes from him and ask him for the wisdom to listen well and identify points of connection with those you desire to evangelise.