We can choose to ignore the culture or we can choose to engage the culture. We have to contextualize our message as Paul did. Paul quoted the writings of the philosophers of the Athenians. In our cultural context, we must be able to talk about the latest music, movies, television, and news events.

We must learn to think like unbelievers.  The way to do that is to talk to them!

We began Bridge Church by talking to people. We went door to door taking a survey. We  met people at businesses. We met people who are part of the local government. Our basic message to those who are not yet believers must be good news. If it isn’t the good news, then it isn’t the gospel. People always flock to good news.  The last thing people need to hear is bad news in the church. They are looking for hope. It is not enough to simply proclaim, “Jesus is the answer.” We must show unchurched people how Jesus is the answer.

People chase after this culture we live in today basically because they have no hope, but they do have a desire for purpose and meaning in their lives.

In Acts 17,  Paul was deeply troubled over the culture he was encountering. So he did what he knew to do and what God would have wanted him to do – he engaged the culture.  He did not run from it.  He did not ignore it. He used it to present the timeless, eternal good news of Jesus to the men who were there.

    He engaged people in the religious institution (synagogues/churches)
    He engaged people in the marketplace (business)
    He engaged people at the high council (government officials)

The Bible says he “reasoned” with them. In other words, he was having spiritual conversations with them.

How in the world do we engage people like this today?

    Find A Hurt – Be a Friend
    Find A Need – Meet The Need
    Find A Common Bond – Enjoy The Friendship
    1 Corinthians 9:19-23
   
A healthy church is one that is a come and see church –be attractional, that leads people to go and tell – become incarnational.