During a recent visit to a church, I was chatting with a young woman I’ll call Joy, who shared her story with me, telling me about when she became a Christian. Joy said at the time she was a teenager and her mother was not a Christian and wasn’t supportive of her beliefs.

She went on to tell me that one of the women Joy met at her church visited Joy’s mother to share the gospel with her and to talk with her about the Bible. This woman spent six hours with Joy’s mother. They didn’t just talk about the Bible. It wasn’t a lecture about what the mother should believe. Instead, they got to know one another, they fixed a meal and ate together, and discussed Christian beliefs.

The woman from Joy’s church took the time to reach out because she cared about this family member and she cared about Joy. And her efforts were well spent. The mother did become a Christian according to Joy.

There are lessons to be learned here about the importance of reaching people for Christ and the way we do it. No lectures. No barbed Bible verses. Just genuine love and an obedience to God.

So what can we do? I have to admit the only time I spend six hours with a person is when I’m on vacation with them and have the time. However, there are takeaways for me too. I enjoy meeting someone for coffee or lunch. It’s a shorter time, but small pieces of time can also be productive if I’m focused on part of that time being used to talk about Jesus—and I love the idea of sharing food or drink.

Jesus often shared with people over food or a meal. In fact, the last time He met with His disciples before the ascension, He shared food with his disciples and taught them. In the 24^th chapter of Luke, the disciples are together and Jesus shows Himself to them.

“And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.

   Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures…” Luke 24: 38-45

Maybe we should be more intentional when we reach out to others. Pray about the person God wants you to encourage. Set a time to meet with them over a meal or a coffee. Consider what verses God would have you share, but also be pray during your conversation and be prepared for God to give you something you hadn’t expected.

Then be sure to follow up with the person. Send them a card, message them to let you know you’re thinking of them, greet them when you see them, and maybe have a follow-up get together. Encompass everything with prayer and be willing to reach out to that person who needs Christ.

Think of how Joy was blessed when her mother became a Christian and the lasting impact the friend’s visit had on that family and on the family of God. Strive to make that same impact in someone else’s life. I know I will.