How To Win Friends and Influence People For Jesus

Jesus is So Cool (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We’re all suckers for hype. That’s why it’s called hype. People go all crazy over something or someone and, pretty soon, we’re wanting to know what the big deal is. So we read the book, see the movie, visit the place, eat the food, or do the thing that they’re all doing.

So…do you get people hyped up about Jesus? Here’s some ideas how.

Rock The Jesus Music. I will admit, I don’t always listen to Christian music. I find a lot of it sounds like something that would be played in an elevator. Or like something my mom would listen to. Or like something my mom would listen to in an elevator. All that said and done, there is a lot of good Christian music out there, too. So, when you find it, blast it. Play it all the time and talk about why you like it so much. Sing. Dance. Worship. If you know me, you know there’s no denying how much I love Switchfoot and The Supertones. I get people listening to it. And then we talk about it. And then they think about it. And then they think about Him.

Rock The Jesus Books. I read my Bible almost every day. I have one sitting on my coffee table, one in my car, a digital one on my iPod, and about five on my bookshelf. They are torn, tattered, coffee-stained, and falling apart. But there’s no denying that there’s much Bible love in my house. Don’t you love talking to people about what you’re reading? And for me it’s not just the Bible, but Christian books! (Summer Intensive, anyone?) I read biographies, spiritual growth, theology, and (my favorite) Christian fiction. I want to be as hyped up about Christian books as I am about The Hunger Games. Are you?

Rock The Jesus Clothes. No, I’m not talking about cheesy Christian T-shirts with a Coke logo that says a Bible verse (sorry if you own that shirt…just a matter of preference.) It’s more about modesty. Dress well and dress excellently. Cute tops that don’t show skin. A skirt or a pair of shorts that no one could call too short. Jeans that don’t hug in all the right places. Show off your beauty without showing off your body. And when you walk around all fabulous and confident, people will notice there is something different about you. And you can tell them why.

Rock The Jesus Talk. Yes, quoting Scripture is good. But Jesus is big into using love. Kindness. Encouragement. Forgiveness. Joy. Use your words to love people in the name of Jesus. Be a listening ear and an encouraging friend. Don’t gossip, slander, or complain. Instead, use kindness, thoughtfulness, and humor to make yourself (and Jesus) the kind of person that people want to be around.

Rock The Jesus Walk. Your attitude speaks volumes. The way you respond when your parents and teachers ask you for something. The way you drive. The way you react in the midst of conflict. The way you spend your time. Each moment you are around other people is a chance to influence them for Christ. Are you?

Question: How are you influencing your family and friends for Christ? How can you do it better? Which one of these is the easiest for you? Which one is the hardest?

Passion and Persuasion

Chase the Sun (The O.C. Supertones album) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This, tough girls, is a picture of the Supertones. AKA one of the greatest, most fun, totally amazing bands EVER! The Supertones were super popular back in my high school days, when ska music was all the craze. Like all good things, ska music slowly faded away and, along with it, one of my favorite bands.

 

Until this last week. I got to see them in concert – over ten years after their last album – and, wow, were they great!

 

Perhaps the only more amazing thing  than their ska-riffic concert were all the high schoolers I jumped around with who are now totally on the Supertones bandwagon. Now, of course part of that is attributed to their fantastic guitar riffs and and dance worthy trumpet solos. But I think a big part is due to…

 

ME!!!

 

Any high schooler in our youth group could tell you how obsessed I’ve been about seeing these guys. I’ve blasted their music every week after youth group, jumping up and down while signing/rapping right in students’ faces. I’ve talked about the Supertones, posted You tube videos, and locked people in my car so we could finish a song of theirs.

 

Not surprising that so many of them decided to go to the concert.

 

Isn’t it amazing how our joy, excitement, and passion over something can influence people? How it makes them curious about something they have no idea about…all because we’re slightly obsessive about it?

 

Can you imagine that happening with our faith?

 

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16

We are all passionate about something. The more passionate we are, the more persuasive we are. We become fangirls of movie stars. We rant and rave over the amazingness of books and bands. Heck, we eat a good meal and get so dang excited, we post pictures of it on Facebook!

 

Let’s use our passion for something greater than influencing people to love things of this world. Let’s rant and rave about Jesus. Let’s jump up and down as we reflect on quiet times. Let’s smile and giggle and talk a million miles an hour as we tell people about the Bible.