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"And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also."
(Acts 10:45)
I love the story of Peter traveling from Joppa to Caesarea to share Jesus with the Gentile Cornelius. The end result was that God saved this man and all who were in his house. The Jews who were traveling with Peter to go visit this Gentile were astonished when they saw how the Holy Spirit fell upon Cornelius and all the other uncircumcised people in his home. What a powerful story! I can imagine both the Jews and the Gentiles were most curious as to how all of this would transpire.
Curiosity is a good thing, and Pastor Levi Skipper, in his third principle on sharing Jesus, says that Christians should develop evangelistic curiosity.
Having an interest in people leads to evangelistic conversations. We should be alert as to what is going on around us. If someone is wearing a cross necklace or bracelet, for example, you can ask him or her about that and if it has a special meaning to them. Many people have tattoos, and if they paid the price to have them, believe me, they do not mind telling you about them. Be inquisitive and ask questions. I think that is the missing link in many of our conversations with people; we have quit being curious and concerned and no longer dialogue with others and ask questions.
I live about 30 minutes north of Austin in a booming city called Liberty Hill. Like Austin, the vast majority in our city, around 95%, have no church home. There are atheists, Muslims, and many Hindus who live in our Santa Rita Ranch neighborhood. I was witnessing to a man from Pakistan recently, and he was very curious about my faith and asked me questions. I told him that I had been to India many times but not just west of India to his homeland of Pakistan. He asked why I had not visited his country. I simply replied with a smile that I have not been invited. It was a joy to point this man to the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.
If you will be curious with people and ask them questions, it will amaze you how the Holy Spirit will transform your curiosity into creativity in sharing the Lord in that moment. Most Christians feel about as creative as a stick of wood when it comes to evangelism. But I beg to differ. As you engage with people and ask them to tell you more about what they believe or more about their family, job, etc., the Lord will bring to your mind things to say and help you segue to the Gospel.
Try this even today: ask questions, and listen intently. Use this powerful dialogical tool by simply saying, "Please tell me more about that." Then after hearing them, share Jesus with them.
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