Two weeks ago, 15 international students crowded into Dave’s home to watch the AFL Grand Final.

Most of them didn’t understand Australian Rules Football very well. Dave gave a simple explanation of the rules, set out some snacks to munch on and everyone settled in to watch the game.

Well, almost everyone.

One young man was much more interested in talking with me about the Bible than watching football. He had been reading Genesis and had reached the story of Noah. Before long the game faded into the background and we were engrossed in discussing the questions he had about the passage.

As we talked, it became clear that he wasn’t a Christian yet.

And all of this happened while the rest of the room was watching football.

Was hosting a Grand Final Party an evangelistic event?

Definitely.

Years ago, I learned a definition of an evangelistic event that has stuck with me:

Any event planned with non-Christians in mind that brings them in contact with trained Christians in a relaxed setting enabling interaction.

Notice what isn’t in that definition.

There doesn’t have to be a speaker. There doesn’t have to be an evangelistic talk. You don’t have to hand out tracts or ask everyone to bow their heads at the end.

Instead, you intentionally create a place where people who don’t yet follow Jesus can spend relaxed time with Christians who are prepared to listen, ask questions, share something of their own relationship with Jesus, and respond when God opens a door.

That is what happened during the Grand Final. Dave didn’t invite everyone over so I could give a Bible talk. He simply created the setting. And in that setting, one person decided he wanted to talk about the Bible.

That changes the kinds of events we can imagine.

A barbecue can be an evangelistic event. So can a football party, a games night, a picnic, a Christmas gathering, or an afternoon decorating cookies.

And then think through what it would take to make it:

• An event planned with non-Christians in mind
• that brings them in contact with trained Christians
• in a relaxed setting
• enabling interaction.

Then trust God with the conversations that follow.

Let's pray:

"Lord Jesus, thank you for the many people in my city and the many ways I can interact with them.  I pray that you will help me provide relaxed settings where I can interact with non-Christians.  Lead me to the training I need to effectively listen and communicate your message.  Amen"

Walking together,