Warning: session_start(): open(/var/lib/lsphp/session/lsphp80/sess_esfs3snc89e9obohgckrqv1ftk, O_RDWR) failed: No space left on device (28) in /home/kjv.site/public_html/Discussion-Thread/index.php on line 2
Warning: session_start(): Failed to read session data: files (path: /var/lib/lsphp/session/lsphp80) in /home/kjv.site/public_html/Discussion-Thread/index.php on line 2 BIBLE DISCUSSION THREAD 226714
How to work with the same sex attracted individuals in particular.
I have in the past been in a living situation with someone who was a believer who decades before came out of a gay lifestyle. This allowed me to see how he interacted with others of that persuasion and in general hosted social events where he lived and invited some church people as well as secular friends to cookouts and meals followed by various board games. I am not going to say that all his social skills are something I would emulate but wanted to point out a few things that were helpful. First of all and probably most important my friend would always be very transparent when conversations came up about his own depravity before coming to Christ. He understood the doctrines of grace quite well in regard to there being no good in him prior to his conversion.
One of his friends was politically conservative; which isn't that unusual despite the media narrative of those in such lifestyles.
In such situations; of course we have some control of the course of events on our own turf; and people need to have built a trust relationship first in order to want to be invited to something we are doing. This person was aware that the church my friend was attending was for scriptural morals.
This trust issue was front and center in the example of Ken Smith a former Pastor in Pittsburgh who befriended Rosario Butterfield in Syracuse New York; which involved inviting her over where his wife made home cooked meals for about two years.
She is in the forefront today speaking out for Christianity; and her life story is fascinating.
In both cases relationships had to be developed but it was known what these hosts believed. In the case of my friend mentioned earlier he had many other international students; atheists; etc. who would be involved in the game nights.
We naturally find situations where the first attempt to witness to people brings hostility; and we must pray for some and wait on God to work.
I have in the past been in a living situation with someone who was a believer who decades before came out of a gay lifestyle. This allowed me to see how he interacted with others of that persuasion and in general hosted social events where he lived and invited some church people as well as secular friends to cookouts and meals followed by various board games. I am not going to say that all his social skills are something I would emulate but wanted to point out a few things that were helpful. First of all and probably most important my friend would always be very transparent when conversations came up about his own depravity before coming to Christ. He understood the doctrines of grace quite well in regard to there being no good in him prior to his conversion.
One of his friends was politically conservative; which isn't that unusual despite the media narrative of those in such lifestyles.
In such situations; of course we have some control of the course of events on our own turf; and people need to have built a trust relationship first in order to want to be invited to something we are doing. This person was aware that the church my friend was attending was for scriptural morals.
This trust issue was front and center in the example of Ken Smith a former Pastor in Pittsburgh who befriended Rosario Butterfield in Syracuse New York; which involved inviting her over where his wife made home cooked meals for about two years.
She is in the forefront today speaking out for Christianity; and her life story is fascinating.
In both cases relationships had to be developed but it was known what these hosts believed. In the case of my friend mentioned earlier he had many other international students; atheists; etc. who would be involved in the game nights.
We naturally find situations where the first attempt to witness to people brings hostility; and we must pray for some and wait on God to work.
This comment thread is locked. Please enter a new comment below to start a new comment thread.
Note: Comment threads older than 2 months are automatically locked.
Do you have a Bible comment or question?
Posting comments is currently unavailable due to high demand on the server.
Please check back in an hour or more. Thank you for your patience!
Report Comment
Which best represents the problem with the comment?