CURIOSITY ABOUT OTHERS

Today, let’s revisit a verse we looked at yesterday.

Acts 17:17 says that, while in Athens, the apostle Paul “went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there.” Every day, he deliberately sought out people who didn’t know Jesus. He was curious about them. He tried to build relationships with them.

In this concern for others, Paul was like Jesus, who was not afraid to mix with people who came from different backgrounds and were not always at the best place in their journeys of faith. Jesus shrugged off criticism for eating with “disreputable sinners” (Mark 2:15) because he knew that it was only in interactions like this that he could get to know unbelievers, and they could get to know him and learn of his offer of grace.

Everyday missionaries like you and me are to be curious about people. We should seek to discover their stories, their hopes, and their pain.

Look at it this way: We love people because Jesus loves people. Every person who exists is precious and valuable, which means that every person we meet is worthy of dignity, love, and respect. Missional relationships equip us to see lost people as Jesus sees them—not as a project or a problem but as a prodigal far from their Father’s home. We connect with them, care about them, and get to know who they are and what matters to them.

My Gen Z son, Jeremiah, does this beautifully. Because he loves Jesus, he loves lost people. And because he loves lost people, he is genuinely curious about them. Over the years, I have watched people open their souls to him. Many people have come to faith in Jesus because of his gentle, loving presence. As he learns their stories, he applies Jesus's saving action to their wounds.

When you’re lit up with love, you learn how to listen well so you can share the gospel in a way that connects with the stories of those around you.

Missional principle #3: Get to know those whom you are evangelizing.