Different Way To Talk

Different Way to Talk

(Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-23)

Julie walked into the kitchen and took a deep breath. “Oh, boy! Homemade bread!” she exclaimed.

Her dad looked up from his work. “That’s right, honey. But this loaf isn’t for us. I’m taking it next door to our new neighbors.” He paused briefly. “Did you know they have a girl just about your age?” he asked. “You should meet her.”

Julie shook her head. “I already did, but she’s no fun. She doesn’t talk or anything.”

“Maybe she’s just a little shy,” suggested Dad. “It takes some people longer to adjust than others.”

“No,” said Julie. “You don’t understand. She doesn’t . . . I mean, she can’t talk. She can’t say anything, and she can’t hear either. So there’s no point in going over there.”

“I see,” said Dad thoughtfully. “Well, if she can’t talk the way you do, maybe you should learn to talk her way. I’ll learn, too, OK?”

Julie looked at Dad in surprise. “Her way? You mean learn sign language?” she asked. “Why should I bother to do that? I’m sure she already has friends.”

“Perhaps,” said Dad. “But who knows . . . maybe the Lord sent her here for us to witness to her.”

“But, Dad,” protested Julie. “He wouldn’t really expect us to learn sign language, would he? That’s a lot of work.”

“True,” agreed Dad, “but think about it. When your brother went to Bangladesh as a missionary, what was the first thing he had to do?”

“Go to language school,” replied Julie reluctantly.

Dad nodded. “Do you think our neighbors might be our mission field?” he asked. “If learning sign language would help us to tell them about Jesus, that wouldn’t be too much to ask, would it?” RIJ

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Did you know that the apostle Paul said he became ‘all things to all men’ in order to win some? Are you willing to go out of your way to tell someone about Jesus? Maybe you need to become a friend to someone, help someone with schoolwork, or do extra chores at home. What special thing can you do?

Go Out of Your Way to Win Others

MEMORIZE:

“Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ.” 1 Corinthians 9:22