This week's edition of the Raw Disciple is brought to you by my good friend and colleague, Abi Flavell. Abi and her husband John are church planters and disciplemakers based in Hull, UK

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Disciple making in our everyday busy lives can be a challenge. Personally, I'm often looking for small, simple ways I can make quick connections with lost people that I might come across on a daily basis.

In recent years, I have come across the idea of simple 'Actions and Statements' as a tool that can spark spiritual conversations. The aim of them is to allow God to take the credit for those actions rather than leaving the impression that Christians are simply 'nice' people.

To remind myself what kind of opportunities I am looking out for each day, I've called them SPARK actions. We can use SPARK actions – actions that are either Simple, Practical, Authentic, Radical or Kind - to make a connection with someone and then try to have a short, natural, Jesus focused 'statement' ready as a response, in case anyone wants to know why we are acting that way (1 Peter 3:15).

SIMPLE:

I once came across a lifeguard at a pool where my family were swimming on holiday. He stood out to me because he was ALWAYS smiling and had an energy and grace that shone to whoever he interacted with. Rulebreakers didn't even mind it when he used his whistle with them, as he followed it up with much fun and encouragement to 'be safe' for everyone's benefit.

It sounds simple but our presence matters and how we are in a situation can act as a thermometer or a thermostat wherever we are. One is able to only reflect the temperature of the room, the other is able to change it. Were that lifeguard ever asked what made him so cheerful, perhaps if he were a christian and had opportunity he might have answered in a way that made people curious to know more:

Example action: Smiling! And giving everything we have to the task in front of us with faithfulness and love.

Example statement: "When Jesus changed my life I discovered there's a reason to be happy…"

PRACTICAL:

I know of a group of people that wanted to find practical ways they could serve their community and give them chances to talk to others as they did it. They thought of what it would look like to 'wash the feet of their neighbourhood' as Jesus trained his disciples to do so (John 13:12-17). They decided to find the jobs no-one else wanted to do and decided to pick up dog litter, which was a problem in their part of the city. They were ready with a simple explanation that gave the credit to Jesus and gave people an opportunity to ask more if they wanted to.

Example action: street clean up - either picking up litter, or dog mess

Example statement: "Jesus taught that God really cares about this place and so I should too."

AUTHENTIC:

Whenever we come across someone who is having a hard time in their lives, whether that be physical pain, relational heartache or a whole host of other reasons, we have a chance to respond authentically with genuine love and concern.

Example action: offering to pray for anyone who speaks about a struggle they are experiencing

Example statement: (pre-prayer) "Have you ever had anyone pray for that [issue/illness], I've seen Jesus do some remarkable things when people are open to prayer"

(post prayer) "thanks so letting me pray - often God wants to let us know he cares about us by sending someone to pray for us"

RADICAL:

I have a friend who is a doctor in A & E. She encountered a man who came in handcuffed to a police officer as they had just been arrested for sexual assault. Many of the doctors and nurses on shift were reluctant to see this person, knowing the reason he had been brought to A&E was to treat an injury sustained in the assault. My friend was able to model the love of God that day to even the most unworthy of people.

Example action: Caring for the unlikely/undeserving

Example statement: "My life was changed when Jesus loved me at my most broken. I am trying to do the same."

KIND:

I once sat next to a family with small children on a flight. We spent 4 hours together and the children were struggling with having to sit still, in a confined space for so long. They were loud and the parents were very apologetic and increasingly stressed with the situation. As the flight unfolded, my husband and I were able to entertain the children and smile and encourage the parents. It led to a special conversation with the Father of the family who came from a muslim background and asked us why we were reacting so differently to others around us.

Example action: Showing patience and kindness with the vulnerable

Example statement: "You're doing a great job. Don't worry about the [noise/problem], I'm happy to be here with you. I'm a Christian, is there any way I can help you right now?"

While you may use different words/phrases (you have to choose something that sounds natural for you), are there any of these that SPARKed an idea for you?

What next step could you take to have some simple action and response statements ready, just in case you need them this week?

Abi
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Thanks Abi for such a provoking message. It's so easy to forget the power of words and action combined!

Have a great disciplemaking week

Simon