It’s the little things, really.
Yesterday I had a chance to share my faith with the woman who cuts my hair.
As she was putting the black apron around me, she shared one of her kid’s latest escapades. Even though I have never met them, I feel like I know her children. She’s talked about them every time I have been in her chair over the last year.
As a single mom in her 20’s whose sole job is cutting hair, she has her hands full juggling school, childcare, and her kids’ growing list of needs.
What Everybody Needs
To brighten her day, I surprised her with “little Jesus” figures for the whole family. “Everybody needs a little Jesus in their lives,” I said with a smile.
She was delighted. “My kids will love these!” she laughed, as she put them in front of the mirror at her workstation. I wonder how many people saw those yesterday and asked about her “Jesuses.”
An Opened Door
Amazingly, that little gift opened a door. About halfway into the haircut, she shared her ongoing struggle with anxiety that sometimes debilitates her. After expressing my concern, I said I would pray for her. She instantly lit up. She has never had anyone care for her in that way.
As the conversation continued, she shared something even more pressing. Over the last few days, a set of house keys have come up missing. What if someone finds them and breaks into her house?
She asked, “Could you pray first for the keys to show up, and then for the anxiety stuff?”
I said, “Sure.”
Spiritually Open
Keep in mind, this woman has no connection to church or faith. But like others her age, that doesn’t matter when it comes to spiritual things.
Worldwide surveys by The Barna Group have found that Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, is the most spiritually open generation ever.
They like to explore various beliefs and practices, whether Christian or otherwise. Researchers have found these teens and 20-somethings are more open to spiritual conversations than previous generations.
In many cases, they are simply waiting for someone to bring up the topic in a safe, non-judgmental way. Those of us who know Christ can do that. It just takes a little practice.
Simple Starters
Here are some simple conversation starters that could turn an everyday chat into a redemptive dialogue.
- Has there ever been a time when you felt close to God? What was that like?
- Ever had a time when you needed God?
- On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being far away and 10 being very close, how close do you feel to God these days?
- What leads you to choose that number?
- Is there anything that is holding you back from moving closer to God?
- What do you believe or hope or know about God?
- Have you ever had the sense that God was speaking to you? If so, what did God say?
- If you could ask God any question and you knew you would get an answer, what would you ask?
- What could I do to help you in your relationship with God?
The Exception
When it comes to sharing our faith, too often we find ourselves paralyzed by fear: “What if I can’t answer their questions?” “What if they reject me?”
Those situations are the exception, not the rule. Most people would welcome honest conversations about spiritual topics, especially younger people.
Beautiful Things
In fact, a small amount of care and a listening ear can break open deep reservoirs of need that the Holy Spirit can begin to meet.
Turns out, beautiful things happen when we give people a little Jesus.
“CONNECTING NEW FRIENDS WITH CHRIST” ONLINE COURSE – STARTS NOW!
IT’S NOT TOO LATE! Ever wanted to naturally and authentically share your faith with someone you love? Starting Tuesday, March 18, you can join a FREE 7-Week Course that teaches you how. It’s designed to take an extended look at the motivation and skills needed to engage with loved ones to help each person take steps toward Christ. Here’s how to connect:
7 Weeks on Tuesdays from 6:30 – 7:45 PM by Zoom
March 18 to April 29, 2025
- IT’S NOT TOO LATE. Register here: http//igrc-reg.brtapp.com/OnlineCourseConnectingNewFriendsWithChrist
The Course is FREE! Please register to receive the Zoom link.
Let’s go on this journey together and see how God may use us to make an eternal difference in someone’s life.
ROGER IS SPEAKING AT FIRST UMC SPRINGFIELD, IL, MARCH 30 at 10:30 AM
I’d love to see you there! First UMC, 2941 S Koke Mill Rd, Springfield.
To receive Roger’s weekly posts about living and leading like Jesus, please subscribe for free here: https://rogerross.online/subscribe/
Roger Ross
A native of Cambridge, Illinois, Roger has served as a pastor in Texas, the British Channel Island of Guernsey, and Illinois. While in Illinois, he led teams that planted two new churches and served for 10 years as the lead pastor of one of the largest United Methodist Churches in the Midwest. It was his privilege to serve as the Director of Congregational Excellence in the Missouri Conference before coming into his current role with Spiritual Leadership, Inc (SLI).
Roger now comes alongside pastors, non-profit leaders and their leadership teams as an executive coach, specializing in leadership that inspires change. As a side gig, he loves teaching evangelism and church planting as an adjunct professor at SMU’s Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, Texas.
Other passions of his include SCUBA diving in warm blue water, Krispy Kremes, and board games with family and friends. He also has a weakness for golf.
Roger is the author of three books, Meet The Goodpeople: Wesley’s 7 Ways to Share Faith, Come Back: Returning to the Life You Were Made For, and Come Back Participant Guide, all through Abingdon Press.
Now for the best part. Roger is married to Leanne Klein Ross, and they live Bloomington, Illinois. God has blessed them with two adult children, a son-in-law, several tropical fish, and one adorable granddog.
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