I was in sales for a while in college. I had a good time selling womens shoes downtown at the Marshall Fields (Dayton's) Oval Room. Ladies are fun to sell to. They see it as an adventure and can get lost in the journey of finding the perfect pair of shoes. It was my job to be there guide.
I would discover there likes and dislikes and bring out shoes that I felt helped them and then after a while it was time to help them decide. My favorite way to do this was the we are in this together ask... "Well we seem to like these should we wrap them up?"... I also like the encouraging ask... "Those are way to Hot to not take home... Should I put it on your card?"... and then The blunt time is ticking ask... "well you know these don't last long so maybe you should take them home and think about them."
Asking got harder for me when we started the church because then I had to ask people I had relationship with if they would support the dream that we had called High Point. "will you help us reach a city?" "will you partner with us and help us start a church to reach the unchurched?" I found that they were looking for a place to support as much as I was looking for people to support our place. once I was able to connect there need with my need the ask was a little easier.
I have found that you never can stop learning to ask. People don't mind asking as long as they are given an out. I know some salesman who would disagree but I think that the difference between a pushy sales man and a good salesman is that you are there not to push a product but to help people connect with what they are looking for.
That is the same way it is with asking people to come to church or Christ... If I am pushing church or religion without helping them realize how it connects with a need they have them I am missing it and probably offending them. What are people looking for? I think deep down in the dark side of people there is a longing for a connection with God... It is what the woman at the well had when Jesus started talking about water with her and before you know it he lead her into receiving his salvation. He saw her need and led her into the ask. He wasn't pushing he was leading.
I hate being pushed... I had a bad experience at a time share meeting. I love being lead to a better future and will regularly accept if there is a perceived need that you are filling.
Asking for life change is the same way... You are connecting people without Christ with the answer to there need.
So what do our Fav Four in our life need? Friendship? Love? Acceptance? Emotional hope? Direction?
Ask with their need in mind
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