You know God wants you to love your neighbor but the most difficult step can be the very first one when you have to overcome the fear and ignorance of starting a conversation with someone from a different country, culture or religion. Consider the following scenario of a conversation you might have with an acquaintance you meet at the grocery store. You are going through the checkout line at the grocery store and you look at the name tag of the young man bagging your groceries.The young man’s name is Nawaz. The following conversation takes place.
You: Hello. How do you pronounce your name?
Nawaz: It is pronounced “Nah WAz”
You: Nice to meet you, Nawaz. What is the ethnic background of your name?
Nawaz: I am Pakistani.
You: Where were you born?
Nawaz: Here in Texas.
You: Were your parents born in Texas?
Nawaz: No. They were born in Pakistan.
You: What language did you speak at home when you were growing up?
Nawaz: We spoke Urdu most of the time.
You: Do you have many relatives in Pakistan?
Nawaz: Yes. I have many living there.
You: Have you ever visited Pakistan?
Nawaz: I spent a summer there in high school.
You: You are Pakistani so are you a Muslim?
Nawaz: Yes. But I am not a good one.
When the last of the groceries are bagged, you say “nice meeting you” and walk out to his car. On your way to the car and on the drive home you begin to think about how you could follow up with Nawaz the next time you go to the grocery store.
What are takeaways from this scenario?
Names are important. God knows our names (Isaiah 43:1) and we should try our best to know and remember the names of others. A name represents a unique person created in the image of God. Express your love by trying your best to pronounce their name correctly.
Family is important. God has put us in families (Psalms 68:6) and he loves family. Most cultures place a very high value on care for their parents and siblings. Express your love by expressing your interest in their family members.
Language is important. God created languages (Gen. 11:8) and one day He will be worshipped in every tongue (Rev. 7:9). Language is the vehicle of culture and relationships. Express your love by expressing interest in their language and culture.
Religion is important. There is an American idea that “you should never talk about religion and politics.” Many cultures talk freely about religion. It is not a taboo. They are proud of their religion. For most cultures, there is no separation of religion from the rest of life. You can express your love by expressing interest in genuinely understanding their religion and beliefs.
You know God wants you to love your neighbor but the most difficult step can be the very first one.
Every question has a purpose. You are gathering information with every question you ask in order to know more about the person which can lead to building an ongoing friendship that leads to sharing the good news of the gospel. Be a good listener to ask good follow up questions. “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19)
Look for opportunities to meet with them again and have a follow-up conversation. Maybe each time you go to the grocery store you could choose the checkout line where Nawaz is bagging groceries and continue the conversation to get to know him more. By taking the initiative to start a conversation and build a relationship you are following the example of Jesus “who did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matt. 20:24)
Use these question words and subject words for ideas for follow-up conversations.
Here is are examples of questions for a follow-up conversation with Nawaz:
How many people are in your family?
How many Pakistani families live here in our city?
What are popular festivals that the Pakistani community likes to celebrate?
When are those festivals celebrated?
What kinds of foods do Pakistani people enjoy at festivals?
Could I come to the next festival with you?
Last time we met you said, “I am not a good Muslim.” What is a “good Muslim”?
This week when you go to the grocery store or choose to go to an ethnic restaurant, look for opportunities to take the initiative to start a conversation with your global neighbor.
