Let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. —Galatians 5:25 NLT

Divine Appointments

God is always at work, even when we can’t see it, and he loves the people around us much more than we do. His heart? He “wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:4

It brings joy to the Father when we represent him to others and are available for his purposes. In his sovereign plan, he can design divine appointments, relational encounters

in order to accomplish his purposes in a person’s life.

Listening to the Prompts of the Spirit

A case study from the early Church…

The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” —Acts 8:29

The Spirit of Jesus still wants to lead like this

today.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. —Heb. 13:8

A Prerequisite: Be Filled with the Spirit

• Let the Spirit of Jesus lead in

  Reveal Answer
  of your life.

  Choose…from among you [those] who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. —Acts 6:3; Ephesians 5:18; 2 Timothy 2:21

• Obey Spirit prompts, even when you don’t have the

  Reveal Answer
  .

  Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” —Acts 8:26

I am not sent alone.
The Holy Spirit is always with me.
I go in his name and with his power.

10 Ways to Raise Issues of Faith

1. Share where you are. Let people in on how your Christian faith shows up in your daily life and activities, in natural ways.

2. Learn where they are. Ask questions about their beliefs and experiences, with both faith and church. Listen gratefully and sympathetically – there’s often hurt and confusion here.

3. Milestones over maps. Describe how your faith has helped you process something difficult and personal. Example: When you found new strength or forgiveness to offer from outside yourself.

4. Offer to pray for them. If they’re facing a challenging situation, commit to pray for them. Ask if they’re comfortable with you praying with them right then, and set up reminders for yourself to follow through and check back in.

5. Share your story. Your personal experience of coming to Christ.

6. Share the stories of others. Ask if they’d be willing to try a book or podcasts about Christian issues and then discuss it with you.
   -> Confronting Christianity, Rebecca McLaughlin
   -> Case for Christ and Case for Faith, Lee Strobel
   -> Reason for God and Making Sense of God, Tim Keller
   -> Tim Keller’s podcast “Questioning Christianity”

7. Learn their hangups. Have a conversation about their biggest objection to Christianity.

8. Open the Bible. Offer to read a part of the Bible with them (start in one of the gospels) to discuss the character of Jesus.

9. Address their felt need. Invite them to a group that fills a pressing need in their life right now (e.g. parenting class or a support group), or to an event where they’ll hear the gospel communicated clearly.

10. Explain the way. Share the basics of the Christian faith with your friend, lay out how to become a Christian, and ask if they’re ready to make a commitment for themselves.

Personal Reflection:

As you reflect on your own journey, what divine appointments
helped you or others to encounter Jesus?