Anyone attempt to start a Bible Study with the people you evangelize who are mostly homeless?

[joymercy]

We have been bringing bibles and handouts with the gospel readings for each upcoming Sunday and having all manner of discussions from those readings alone.

All are invited.

Anyone else try this or want to try it?

 

[Reluctant Theologian]

We have been bringing bibles and handouts with the gospel readings for each upcoming Sunday and having all manner of discussions from those readings alone.

All are invited.

Anyone else try this or want to try it?

May you be blessed with this initiative ... it's a challenging demographics !

 

[joymercy]

@Reluctant Theologian in what way have you found evangelizing or Bible study challenging with people who are homeless?

 

[joymercy]

Mostly, the people that we interact with are coming because we invited them while evangelizing.

So, they are free to come and free to go....

Many are curious and have never read scripture, but some have and then fell away from doing so

This is an opportunity then to plant seeds and provide bibles and pray all together

 

[Reluctant Theologian]

@Reluctant Theologian in what way have you found evangelizing or Bible study challenging with people who are homeless?

Homeless people in the countries I know:

• usually are burdened with more than one type of shortcomings (physical, mental, etc.)
• for Bible study the required attention span sometimes is difficult
• discussion/questions can be sensitive and can easily derail
• because of the common load of mental issues there is very little empathy and patience
• once some become believers they require a lot attention and care

But yet - God loves them as much as anyone else. In growing churches usually a certain balance is needed between believers with stable lives and the capacity to give/organise, and those that primarily need to receive a lot to heal. Not all churches are internally ready to host/welcome homeless believers in their fellowship (thinking of The Visit (Adrian Plass), 1999). They're usually the opposite of the ones who are welcomed because they can easily grow into leadership and pastoral roles, or contribute financially.

They're the ones young, modern and trendy churches find too difficult - but be blessed in your ministry ! Jesus also visited the outcasts more so than the elite.