The Joneses
We watched a movie a few weeks back called The Joneses. Everyone wants to "keep up with the Joneses," right? And this Jones family has everything - the latest clothes, appliances, make-up, toys, phones, cars....
Except that these Joneses are not actually a family; rather, they are a business unit, established by a marketing company to resemble a family that others in the neighborhood will want to mimic.
It was an interesting film, looking at consumerism, the need to have stuff, and the drastic measures people will take in order to appear to "have it all together."
But this is not meant to be a movie review.
Instead of consumerism, this movie has me thinking of evangelism and discipleship.
New to the business, "Mr. Jones" was told, "If people want you, they'll want what you've got." Through his new friendships and contacts, he began selling his products. Sales were increasing, but at a very slow rate. His "wife" explained, "What you want to create is a ripple affect." If he could sell himself - and therefore his products - to influential individuals, they would actually do the work for him. For example, "Mrs. Jones" introduced a salon owner to new hair products; suddenly, the owner was selling the products as a part of his business, and "Mrs. Jones" was benefiting from the increase in sales.
Is this not how we should be making disciples?
Don't we want to live our lives in such a way that people want what we have (Jesus being what we have)?
Sharing the Gospel with one person, who keeps it to himself, the Kingdom of God will grow by addition; however, if we share the Gospel with one person who shares the Gospel with others in his own spheres of influence, the Kingdom grows by multiplication.
Disciples who make disciples who make disciples.
Our contacts and friends are not projects; we are not trying to sell them anything or even convert them to Christianity. We simply want to share with them the joy that comes from a personal relationship with Jesus. We want to create a ripple affect - not for marketing and consumerism but for a King and His Kingdom.
Except that these Joneses are not actually a family; rather, they are a business unit, established by a marketing company to resemble a family that others in the neighborhood will want to mimic.
It was an interesting film, looking at consumerism, the need to have stuff, and the drastic measures people will take in order to appear to "have it all together."
But this is not meant to be a movie review.
Instead of consumerism, this movie has me thinking of evangelism and discipleship.
New to the business, "Mr. Jones" was told, "If people want you, they'll want what you've got." Through his new friendships and contacts, he began selling his products. Sales were increasing, but at a very slow rate. His "wife" explained, "What you want to create is a ripple affect." If he could sell himself - and therefore his products - to influential individuals, they would actually do the work for him. For example, "Mrs. Jones" introduced a salon owner to new hair products; suddenly, the owner was selling the products as a part of his business, and "Mrs. Jones" was benefiting from the increase in sales.
Is this not how we should be making disciples?
Don't we want to live our lives in such a way that people want what we have (Jesus being what we have)?
Sharing the Gospel with one person, who keeps it to himself, the Kingdom of God will grow by addition; however, if we share the Gospel with one person who shares the Gospel with others in his own spheres of influence, the Kingdom grows by multiplication.
Disciples who make disciples who make disciples.
Our contacts and friends are not projects; we are not trying to sell them anything or even convert them to Christianity. We simply want to share with them the joy that comes from a personal relationship with Jesus. We want to create a ripple affect - not for marketing and consumerism but for a King and His Kingdom.
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