Lesson 1—Starting a Conversation—Interest in Others
LESSON 1
Principle: “Love... does not look for its own interests.”—
(1 Corinthians 13.4, 5: Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous. It does not brag, does not get puffed up, does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests, does not become provoked. It does not keep account of the injury.)
What Jesus Did
1. Watch the VIDEO, Or Read Then consider the following questions:
(John 4.6-9: In fact, Jacob’s well was there. Now Jesus, tired out as he was from the journey, was sitting at the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her: “Give me a drink.” (For his disciples had gone off into the city to buy food.) So the Samaritan woman said to him: “How is it that you, despite being a Jew, ask me for a drink even though I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.))
a. What did Jesus observe about the woman before starting a conversation?
b. Jesus said: “Give me a drink.” Why was this an effective way to begin the conversation?
What Do We Learn From Jesus?
2. We are more likely to have a good conversation if we start with a topic that interests the other person.
Imitate Jesus
3. Be flexible. Do not insist on starting a conversation on a topic you had in mind. Start with something that others are thinking about today. Ask yourself:
a. ‘What is in the news?’
b. ‘What are my neighbors, coworkers, or classmates talking about?’
4. Be observant. Ask yourself:
a. ‘What is the person currently doing? What might he be thinking about?’
b. ‘What do the person’s clothing, appearance, or home tell me about his beliefs or culture?’
c. ‘Is this a good time to talk to the person?’
5. Listen.
a. Don’t talk too much.
b. Encourage the other person to express himself. When appropriate, ask questions.
STARTING A CONVERSATION
SEE ALSO
(Matthew 7.12: “All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must do to them. This, in fact, is what the Law and the Prophets mean.)
(1 Corinthians 9.20-23: To the Jews I became as a Jew in order to gain Jews; to those under law I became as under law, though I myself am not under law, in order to gain those under law. To those without law I became as without law, although I am not without law toward God but under law toward Christ, in order to gain those without law. To the weak I became weak, in order to gain the weak. I have become all things to people of all sorts, so that I might by all possible means save some. But I do all things for the sake of the good news, in order to share it with others.)
(Philippians 2.4: as you look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others.)
(James 1.19: Know this, my beloved brothers: Everyone must be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger,)