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The Blessing Strategy

Our mission to go and make disciples of all the nations (Matt 28:18-20) finds its roots in the original mission to go and be a blessing to others (Gen 12:1-3). This means that blessing others and seeing people come to know, love and serve Jesus are linked together!

If you do at least one of these BLESS practices every day, you will not only look more like Jesus, but you will help others find Jesus too!

BEGIN with prayer
LISTEN
EAT
SERVE
STORY

Begin with prayer. I will pray for the people in my life and the places that I’m in.

“God, may your kingdom come and will be done. Please provide me with an opportunity today to bless someone or someplace. Help me be aware of your presence and your leading today.”

Praying for people: Who do you live, work, and play with that is far from God? Pray that God would create spiritual curiosity in them, and then spend time with them.

Praying for places: Where does pain exist here? Pray for healing. Who makes the decisions here? Pray for integrity. Who throws the parties here? Pray for community. Where are the pennies spent here? Pray for provision.

Listen – I will listen to and discover the needs of others and the places where God is at work.

“God, how do you want me to bless the world today? Help me to listen to and discover the needs of others and where you’re at work.”

Before you can help others find Jesus, you need to listen to them first – their hopes, pains, challenges and dreams.

In your interactions with others today, take the posture of a learner. Lay down your assumptions, and practice being present.

Pay attention to the local news and ask God how you can meet those needs

Eat – I will share meals and spend time with people in my life.

You eat 21 meals a week. Who will you share them with? Eating is one of the fastest ways to move a relationship from acquaintance to friendship.

Who can you eat with (or have a coffee with) that is far from God? A co-worker over lunch? A neighbour during the day? A friend or family member over the weekend?

Is there a place that you regularly visit (coffee shop, gym, etc.)? Ask God to grant you opportunities to eat with people.

Serve – I will respond to the needs of others and help them in practical ways.

Before jumping into serving, have you taken the time to pray for, listen to and eat with these people? Doing these things first helps you discover the way that you really need to serve them.

Who can you serve this week? Who do you know that has a practical need? Ask them how you can help them.

Story – I will share the story of Jesus and what He is doing in my life with others.

You can’t spell BLESS without the second S. In other words, sharing the story of God with others is necessary to participate in God’s mission (Matt 28:18-20).

Here are some tips on how to share the story of God with others:

• Start by sharing how God has blessed you and made a difference in your life.
• Share your story in such a way that demonstrates that God is also at work in their life.
• Don’t feel like you have to tell your life story at once. Think “bite-size” stories.