BLESS Practices

The BLESS acronym is 5 missional practices that help someone share the hope of Jesus with others. It stands for:

B - Begin In Prayer
L - Listen With Care
E - Eat Together
S - Serve In Love
S - Share Your Story

 

B - Begin in Prayer
Seeking God for People

The Bible tells us it's God who opens and softens people's hearts to hear and respond to the gospel. And we know that God moves when His people pray. This first letter invites us make a short list of people whom we long to commit their lives to Jesus to. Place the list inside your Bible, on your dashboard, fridge or wherever you'll see it often. Commit to pray each day for the people on your list and ask God for ideas on how you can "BLESS" them. Click the "Resources" button below for recommended ways to pray and books to help equip you!

Resources
L - Listen with Care
Hearing Someone's Story

People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. How true! People want to know their a person to be heard rather than a project to be completed. Rather than make assumptions, judgments or share a technique, we want to listen to people's stories. We want to hear their joys, valleys, struggles and milestones. Genuine listening is an act of love, showing pepole we care deeply for them whether they become a Christian or not. If you want to be a good listener, think of yourself as someone who comes alongside another person - not to give advice, but to learn the other person's real story. 

Resources
E - Eat Together
Sharing Meals

Sharing meals with other people on a consistent basis is one of the most sacred practices we can engage in as followers of Jesus. Through the simple act of eating together, we practice hospitality, build community and deepen relationships. 

Resources
S - Serve Others
Meeting Others Needs

One of the best ways we can show others we care about them is through practical acts of love. People know they matter when we love them not just through words, but with our actions. 

Resources
S - Share Your Story
Jesus Changes Lives

Rather than a tract or 4-point message, people need to hear how Jesus has made a difference in our lives. This doesn't mean we never present the facts and reliability of Christianity, just that information is better received through a relationship. Just like Jesus' incarnation, we too need to put flesh on the gospel for people so they can see how Jesus transforms everything. 

Resources