The Experience of Studying Hebrew as a Student Who is Blind
Sarah Blake is a licensed minister with the Church of God (Anderson, IN). She is available to provide biblical teaching, ministry seminars, or music ministry for your church. Hear samples from some of her presentations and contact her for booking information.
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Bill Hybels’ book, Just Walk Across the Room, encourages people to risk having conversations that may lead nonbelievers further along the journey toward Christ. Hybels points out that most people are concerned about someone who is far from God, but many feel inadequate regarding the task of evangelism. (p. 61). His anecdotes demonstrate that the average person can serve in the task of evangelism.
Hybels addresses questions of what contributes to successful evangelism and what hinders it. His experience indicates that reliance on the Holy Spirit is crucial. He indicates that sometimes the Spirit leads him to do nothing in a situation, but other times the Spirit leads him to have a conversation that moves a person farther along on their spiritual journey. He notes that sometimes his discussion does not result in a conversion but does serve to help the person to become more receptive to Christ (p. 41). He also discusses evangelism-killers and suggests ways to streamline the sharing of a testimony (p. 115-133), encouraging readers to write out their testimonies in 100 words or less and providing some real-life examples for reference.
Hybels uses anecdotes and stories from his own experience and occasionally from the experiences of his acquaintances to illustrate his points. He also turns to Scripture for support; but his primary aim is to illustrate evangelism in the lives of people today, and he does this effectively using personal stories. While many readers may not identify personally with some of his background, his stories demonstrate how life experience can serve as a tool in the evangelistic process. For example, while I am not a sailboat racer, I can understand how Hybels used his interest in racing to build relationships with nonbelievers; and I can apply the same strategy to my own life.
Hybels' conclusion is that the love of Christ changes people and that our participation is necessary to help them experience that love. In each chapter, he ends with an encouragement to get out of the comfort zone, to "walk across the room" and build relationships with nonbelievers which will serve to move them toward relationship with Christ.
The key ideas to understand in this book are the role of the Holy Spirit in arranging encounters with nonbelievers and the development of the testimony as an evangelism tool. Many people feel that evangelism is important; but they may not be pursuing it with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is God who draws nonbelievers toward Himself while we serve as instruments in this process. Without being sensitive to the Holy Spirit, it is difficult to participate in the process. Hybels' reminders are greatly needed. Likewise, his instruction in testimony development can assist readers in understanding how their discussions may be received by nonbelievers.
Hybels' main assumptions seem to be that there are plenty of people who need to encounter the love of Christ and that church members need to be equipped and encouraged to participate in the process of leading people toward this encounter. He believes that people rely on professional ministers to do this and that it will take some convincing to help people understand that they are as capable as a professional when it comes to leading someone to Christ.
There could be a mighty revival as more people engage in relational encounters that lead nonbelievers toward Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Nonbelievers would begin to see the church as a place where something different happens. Otherwise, the faithful will continue to huddle in Their corners while nonbelievers continue to wish for a life-changing encounter with Christ that never comes.
Hybels, Bill. Just Walk Across the Room. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2006.
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This book is also available in audio CD format. For groups studying the book, there is a participant's guide available with discussion questions in four sessions.
For more leadership and evangelism books like this, visit Amazon.com's Bill Hybels page
Sarah Blake graduated from Anderson University with an M.Div., professional distinction in Hebrew, in August, 2009. She provides biblical teaching for retreats, church services, and other special events; music ministry; and education for churches and community groups seeking to develop strategies for including people with disabilities. For more information about booking Sarah to speak at your church or community event, visit her services page.
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Sarah J. Blake