{"id":304,"date":"2024-09-03T20:12:50","date_gmt":"2024-09-03T20:12:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jpbmetal.com\/?p=304"},"modified":"2024-09-18T10:59:39","modified_gmt":"2024-09-18T10:59:39","slug":"guiding-the-spiritually-curious-to-jesus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/jpbmetal.com\/index.php\/2024\/09\/03\/guiding-the-spiritually-curious-to-jesus\/","title":{"rendered":"Guiding the Spiritually Curious to Jesus"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In my last blog post, Engaging the Curious: Journeying Together to Jesus<\/a><\/em>, I shared about the simple tool we use to help identify individuals engaging with our church plant who are spiritually curious. I also introduced the book\/tool that we use to engage those individuals with the Gospel\u2014Curious?: Everything you need to make an informed decision about Jesus<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

In this article, my aim is to share some of the \u201cwhy\u201d and \u201cwhat\u201d behind this tool. Why a ten-week guide? What\u2019s the heartbeat behind this journey? What does this journey look like? And what\u2019s the ultimate goal?<\/p>\n

There is no shortage of brief pamphlets, quick guides, and evangelism tracts floating around. And while we\u2019ve seen those work in some contexts, they don\u2019t seem to work well in our context, or with the individuals we are engaging with. We\u2019ve heard that these are perceived by many as \u201ccold.\u201d<\/p>\n

I believe that most people who hand out tracts are incredibly well intentioned (except for that time somebody walked into the restaurant I was waiting tables at and threw about 200 tracts all over the floor in the bathroom), but the reality is that many people perceive being handed a tract as \u201cinauthentic.\u201d<\/p>\n

So, what\u2019s the opposite of \u201cinauthentic\u201d and \u201ccold?\u201d \u201cAuthentic\u201d and \u201chot!\u201d (Or\u2026in this case, \u201cAuthentic\u201d and \u201cRelational.\u201d)<\/p>\n

So when I was putting together this resource, creating something that was both relational and authentic was at the forefront of my mind. Because of that, the Curious?<\/em> book is a ten-week guide to help spiritually curious people through a meaningful and transformative process, alongside a friend who genuinely cares for them!<\/p>\n

Why a Ten-Week Guide?<\/h3>\n

Many ministries provide short, concise materials aimed at introducing people to the basics of the Gospel. While these resources have their place, they often fall short of engaging with the deeper questions and real-life doubts that many people wrestle with. A single pamphlet might \u201ccheck the box\u201d of providing information, but it doesn\u2019t offer the space, time, or margin for someone to truly process and understand the life-changing message of Jesus.<\/p>\n

Guiding the Spiritually Curious to Jesus Curious?<\/em> is different. It\u2019s a ten-week guide because we recognize that a life-changing faith decision is not something that can be rushed. It\u2019s not about checking a box or making a quick decision; it\u2019s about engaging in a process, exploring doubts, asking questions, and ultimately, discovering who Jesus is in a way that is both personal and profound.<\/p>\n

Another profound difference between a short pamphlet and Curious?<\/em> is that while the major Gospel tracts include Scripture that will (maybe) be read in a single sitting\u2026this ten-week guide is driven by Scripture intended to be read every single day!<\/p>\n

There is something very powerful and life-changing about engaging with Scripture for 70 days in a row!<\/p>\n

The ten-week structure allows for a gradual unfolding of the story of Jesus, as told through the Gospel of John. Each day and each week, readers dive into a new aspect of Jesus\u2019 life and teachings, starting with the foundational questions of who John is, and why John\u2019s message even matters in the first place.<\/p>\n

The goal is not just to inform readers, but to invite readers into a deeper relationship with Jesus. A relationship that is built on understanding, reflection, and genuine curiosity.<\/p>\n

The Heartbeat Behind the Journey<\/h3>\n

The reason behind this extended guide is simple: We care deeply about authenticity and relational connection. We know that many times, spiritual growth doesn\u2019t happen overnight. And while there are stories of quick and radical transformations, they are typically the exception, not the rule. So we don\u2019t want to rush anyone through this important process.<\/p>\n

The heartbeat of Curious?<\/em> is for a believer who genuinely cares to walk alongside individuals as they explore their faith, providing them with the time and space needed to truly consider what it means to follow Jesus\u2014not the Jesus they heard about from random memes on social media.\u2026but the real Jesus as presented from an eye-witness account.<\/p>\n

In today\u2019s world, where information is often consumed in bite-sized pieces, it\u2019s easy to overlook the importance of taking the time to deeply understand something so significant as a life-changing decision to follow Jesus. We wanted to create a resource that respects the complexity of this decision and honors the journey each person is on.<\/p>\n

This guide is not about pressuring anyone into a quick choice, but it is about inviting them into a thoughtful, reflective process that leads to a well-informed decision.<\/p>\n

What Does This Journey Look Like?<\/h3>\n

The journey through Curious?<\/em> is designed to be flexible, meeting people where they are (it may take some people 3 weeks to read 1 week\u2019s worth of content\u2026that\u2019s ok). While the book itself serves as the primary guide, it is not meant to be a solitary experience. It is meant to be read together with somebody, or several somebodies.<\/p>\n

We strongly encourage those going through the book to not read it alone, but to connect with others who are also reading it alongside them.<\/p>\n