NOTE: The Church Answers group has now released my short e-book entitled, Lord, I’m Caught in the Bubble–a resource that includes this post. If you are interested in getting that book, you can find the information at this link.
It’s a problem for many of us. In fact, I contend that for most of us, the longer we’re in church and the higher we go up the Christian ladder, the more likely it is that we’re stuck in the Christian bubble. Beginning with me, we need to recognize some of the signs that we’ve insulated ourselves from a world we’re called to reach:
- Most of our prayers are about Christians, not non-believers. For some of us, all of our prayers are focused on brothers and sisters in Christ. And, even as we pray for those believers, we focus more on their physical needs than their spiritual needs. I fear we simply don’t think much about others and their walk with God.
- We can’t name five non-believers with whom we have a genuine relationship. I don’t mean superficial friendships; rather, I’m talking about real relationships built on God’s love that compels us to tell others about Jesus. The number “5” is arbitrary, of course, but I trust you get my point.
- We try our best to avoid any interaction with the world. I realize that’s almost impossible to do, and I grant there are good reasons not to put ourselves under ungodly influences—but some of us work so hard to escape non-believers that we offer no threat to the Enemy.
- We don’t proactively pray by name for non-believers to know Christ. A generic, “Lord, save people who don’t know You” is hardly evidence of a godly burden for unbelievers. And, when we do pray for non-believers, I suspect it’s primarily in response to a prayer request more than it is a brokenness over lostness.
- The only people we invite to church are other believers. When we generally hang out with only church-going people, they’re the ones we’ll invite to our church’s weekly services and special events. Because many folks are looking for a church home, that’s easy to do, actually.
- We almost fear spending much time with non-believers. I understand this concern to some extent, especially for new believers or undiscipled believers who fear falling into previous sin patterns. On the other hand, the answer is not to shun the world; it’s to step into the lost world, arm-in-arm with other believers so we don’t do evangelism alone.
- We never concern ourselves with whether our church is reaching non-believers. In fact, we might have grown comfortable with “transfer growth” (believers moving their membership between churches) and been lulled to sleep evangelistically.
I’ve already stated that I’m the first one who must check my life regarding the Christian bubble. Would you say a quick prayer for me to trust God’s Spirit to empower me and guide me back into a world that needs Jesus?
Any suggestions on how Christians can escape their bubbles. There is a real need for a steady flow of fresh ideas on how to meet and befriend unbelievers.
Robin, I believe we should not try to escape our bubbles, but invite people we do not know to be inside the bubble with us.
First we have to teach people inside our bubble to talk to total strangers. There are 30 questions or conversation under leaders only on my website to the right https://centralsinglesministry.weebly.com/leaders-only.html
Robin This is not an approved Seminary term, anthropologist studying cultures found in all cultures if you know six or more people in a group you feel comfortable. You could be at a conference of a 1000 people but if you know 6 people at the conference you feel comfortable. Term to Remember is Building A Redemptive Friendship in (Christianity) the C is Silent. The Acronym is B.A.R.F.in……I teach this concept to my leadership
Next step inviting people to be in your bubble is to read the book Safe People learning to be Safe around unsafe people and recognizing unsafe people in their conversation.
This tends to blow my hard core church friends minds, you can create rules when you meet some one you do not know at your event to protect your bubble. This is from my website.
Are there any rules or guidelines I need to be aware of?
Yes, due to our desire to keep it safe, Christ focused and respectful of those attending we ask that you:
1,,,Do not use alcohol.
2….If you meet someone you wish to ask for a date, we ask that you ask him or her outside* of a “Night on the Town” event.
3….We respect an individual’s membership in their church and doctrinal beliefs at all times.
*We implemented the rule “no asking out at the event” because we know how hard it can be when you come to an event alone. The last thing you need is for someone to hit on you when you’ve come to make some new friends. Now while, we also know single adults do want to meet and date, we feel that Night on the Town (as well as all of our events) should be a safe place to connect. So, if you are interested in someone, it is best to find out more about them, build a friendship and attending another event to reconnect with them.
I have people at my events that do not believe in God
I have people at my events that believe there is a God but do not believe in Jesus Christ.
I have had Hindu believers who believed in many Gods
The key is respecting them as a person and respecting their beliefs. Only then they will tell you what they believe in.
They just do not know we have the Holy Spirit on our side.
To find non-believers it is best to find them when they are lonely. I am contacting the 82nd Airborne of Fort Bragg Chaplain Service this week about if there is any divorced parents separated from their children to come to a Fayetteville Marksmen Hockey Game Thursday, Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving) – 7 P.M. vs Roanoke Raildawgs . I am going to meet people who no one invited to Thanksgiving.
Robin,
I wrote this post last year: https://chucklawless.com/2018/06/9-ways-to-get-outside-the-christian-bubble/.