10/15/10 Todd , 15
While out "fishing" with my church brother Paul I accidently started a witnessing conversation with a young man (Todd) as he walked toward us on the sidewalk. I say "accidently" because Todd is rather large for his age and at first glance appeared to be much older than 15. I confess I generally avoid trying to share the gospel with mid to younger teens because while I am looking for a two-way "conversation", I often end up doing a one-way "presentation". I am so used to conversations with adults who have opinions, make statements, and ask questions, but with teens (and some adults like Oscar from yesterday) I sometimes feel like I am answering questions that they aren't asking. To put it bluntly, while talking to Todd today I felt like I was talking to a frightened deer caught in headlights, yet when I asked he said he understood what I was saying and that it made sense. It may be that he just wasn't able to verbalize his thoughts very well. I need to trust more in the ability of young people to understand - and the power of the Holy Spirit to help them.
Gospel conversations from the streets and marketplace....
1 comment:
I agree with you Jeff, generally, but there are some pretty sharp young teenagers out there and I have met some of them. I, for one, was NOT too on the ball at age 15. I was doing OK academically but was very lacking in common sense. I'm not saying Todd was lacking in common sense but he didn't appear to have pondered Eternity too much. I do believe something my Dad said though, that you're never too OLD to learn but as I told you today its difficult to repeat EVERYTHING he said. Oddly enough, most of it made sense though. Its amazing how smart he got as I grew older.
I do enjoy walking and talking with you, Jeff. It is ALWAYS an encouragement as well as a learning experience when I am with you. I admire your strong devotion to Christ and your discipline.
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