Our best conversations sometimes happen while we’re doing something else. It can be awkward to say, “Tell me about your deepest joys and fears.” But such important topics as these can arise naturally while we’re traveling together, building a shed, or even washing dishes. The task somehow helps us converse more freely. Perhaps we’re less stressed because we’re not focused solely on the conversation.
This may be part of the reason why God commands parents to talk about His ways with their children “when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up” (Deuteronomy 6:7). And it may be what Jesus had in mind when He commanded us “to make disciples” as we are going about our daily business (Matthew 28:19).
This disciple-making approach was modeled by the apostle Paul. He supported himself as a leatherworker—sewing together tents and shoes. When he arrived in a town carrying his knives and awls with him, he either set up his own shop or went to work within a preexisting business. When Paul came to Corinth, he found the leatherworking shop of Aquila and Priscilla, and he hired himself out to them (Acts 18:1-3).
For the next year and a half Paul taught these friends about Jesus as they labored together (Acts 18:11). Can you see Paul hunched over a table, making a straight cut as he expounded on the nuances of the gospel? His teaching stuck, for when Priscilla and Aquila met a passionate but uninformed Apollos, they were equipped to take “him aside and [explain] the way of God even more accurately” (Acts 18:26).
Do you need to have a meaningful or difficult conversation with someone? Do something with them, and see if the hard talk becomes a bit easier.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 19:21-41
More:
Read Ephesians. 4:25–5:20 to learn how to speak well to others.
Next:
Why is it important to have meaningful spiritual conversations with others? Who do you need to talk with today?
BearPair on November 6, 2016 at 1:18 am
Amen…. amen! Well said, Mike… THANKS !
Gary Shultz on November 6, 2016 at 6:24 am
Now Mike, this really has that “rubber meets the road” grit. It is especially true of men. Think about it what do most men do when they are enjoying the company of other men? Oh yeah, we have our meetings, but we are relaxed when we fish, hunt, golf, hoops, and on the list could go. And that may be why the list is so long, “different strokes for different folks”. I have heard it said on different occasions if you want to talk to a guy do something with them, one person recommended fishing (from a boat), you are somewhat confined, but are not just squared off expectantly looking at each other, your engaged in common activity. I talked to one guy from down south and he said he sold more insurance from his boat then anywhere else. To me work is somewhat the same, as Paul, talk with your work, that would be both ways, with your work quality, and conversation during that job. God loves a good witness and a good worker. Thanks Mike
sim jing ying on November 6, 2016 at 11:29 am
It is meaningful as we aren’t wasting our time that has no outcome in life as spiritual talk instill purposes in our lives and also nourishes us. I do need to talk to my friend who has this amazing testimony in how he came to know the Lord.
hsnpoor on November 6, 2016 at 2:00 pm
Oh boy, this is one of those devotions that it would appear the Lord addressed to me personally because I need to have a hard conversation with a loved one who has become a stumbling block by condemning and passing judgment on something another believer does freely & joyfully, which is not to my loved ones taste, but is not biblically prohibited or condemned. It’s a hard conversation for me because I thought my loved one was mature enough to understand: 1) we are not called to condemn another’s behavior, unless there is biblical support; otherwise, we are calling people to our own personal standard of rightness and there is a name for that: “self-righteousness”; 2). God is perfectly able and capable to lead and guide His people in the way they should go. We each have our own hands full enough walking our own walk; forget about trying to tell someone else how to walk their walk with the Lord, without a clear biblical blueprint as reference.
My position is where the Bible is silent, so should I be silent and instead take my concerns to the Lord in prayer, lest I become a stumbling block in the life of another. I could be wrong, but I don’t think so. Would appreciate feedback.
gagirllive on November 6, 2016 at 5:14 pm
Hi, Kim. Grace and peace to you on this Lord’s Day! I’m coming to the table late (it’s evening in my neck of the woods), but I’d like to weigh in on what you’ve shared. I don’t think the Bible is silent about anything. It’s God’s revelation of Himself (in part, of course) to us—His mind, His will, His purposes, and His plans. What He hasn’t said explicitly in precept, I believe we can find in principle, as we take in the whole counsel of His word. Sometimes we deem these as “gray areas” and lean toward our own personal convictions—whether they be for or against a matter. My practice in such cases is to ask myself 1) Can I do this in faith and to the glory of God?, and 2) How will my personal conviction about this affect my brother/sister in Christ as well as those outside the faith? For me, these questions have been harder to answer than the actual subject matter in question! I, too, try to be careful not to pass judgement (condemnation) on other believers who choose to participate in things that the Bible does not condemn but I find personally ill-fitting. At the same time, I try to be careful to not cause someone else to stumble and use my personal convictions as their plumb line. (Paul gave us a little lesson about this whole thing, didn’t he?) Honestly, I find it downright frustrating sometimes to keep a clear conscience by trying to do both: honor God by enjoying the freedom I have in Christ and regard the spiritual welfare of those around me. As for “the talk”, I’ll pray that your conversation with your loved one goes well, dear sister, asking the Lord to anoint your words with His Spirit of love, meekness, and humility. As you know, half the battle is in the approach. 🙂 Blessings, dear one!
hsnpoor on November 7, 2016 at 6:58 pm
Thank you for weighing in on this, GG. I do appreciate your comments and the parameters you use to personally determine how to navigate the “grey areas” where the Bible is, if not silent, at least a bit unclear or subject to interpretation. I do tend to take the Augustinian view, which I understand is not Biblical, that says “in essentials unity, in non-essentials (like praise dancing, which is the subject matter under consideration here) liberty and in all things love”. Thank you also for your prayer, which I have indeed appropriated for myself, as well. I had opportunity to have this conversation yesterday afternoon, but the doorbell rang, so it wasn’t the right time. I praised God for that and commit to waiting on his open door, leading and guidance in getting this done His way!
gagirllive on November 6, 2016 at 5:22 pm
Mike, this was pretty sneaky of me, and eventually they caught on, but whenever I wanted to have a really important conversation with one of my kids, I always took them on a ride. (Hee-hee…captive audience!) 🙂