COMMON
LANGUAGE ~

Acts 17:22-32
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As I was....
considering the
objects of your
worship, I even found
an altar...TO THE
UNKNOWN GOD.
---Acts 17:23 -
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During the high schoolers' spring ministry trip to Jamaica, they visited a home for troubled teens who had run afoul of the law or whose families could not handle them.

This was not a comfortable situation for the kids from either culture. What would they say? How would they connect? It didn't take long to find out. Minutes after they arrived, a soccer match began as a number of the US students engaged some of the Jamaican teens in spirited competition.

The soccer match was a great icebreaker as the kids kicked the ball around and got to know each other. After the game, conversation was easier and friendships were established more quickly because of a common interest.

In Acts 17, the apostle Paul demonstrated how to 'blast another wall', and establish dialogue. He talked with the Athenians about something of common interest--worship. In a similar way, we can use sports talk with a co-worker or lawn conversation with a neighbor. The possiblilities are endless.

To reach out to people who need to hear about God's love, look for common language--and watch the 'walls come tumbling down'.
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God's love can break down barriers and make walls tumble.

ODB/DB