Outreach Idea – Response to the Shootings in Aurora, Colorado

The tragedy at the Century 16 Movie Theaters at the Aurora Town Center in Aurora, Colorado has left many people looking for answers.  Like many tragedies of the past, this time of mourning and looking for meaning is a great opportunity to reach out to people and share God’s love with them in the person of Jesus Christ.  Greg Stier wrote a blog post this morning that gives a great perspective and posture a Christ follower should take during times like these.  If you are a youth leader, we encourage you to check it out here.

Also, earlier this week, Dare 2 Share posted a “Soul Fuel” article about the Dark Knight movie, and this is a perfect devotional for students to read to realize their role in sharing the good news, the GOSPEL of Jesus with others.  How can they be a sort of “knight” to their friends?  Check that out here.

An outreach resource to use NOW

Finally, because of the opportunity at hand, we have created a couple resources for youth leaders and students to use RIGHT AWAY.  Just print them out and use them to start conversations with your friends as well as strangers to share about the Hope found in Christ and Christ alone.  Check them out and download them below:

The Dark Knight conversation guide card.  Youth leaders and students can take this tool with them to have real examples of how to start conversations with others.  This is a tool that is on a normal 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper.  Print it out and cut it into four parts, then distribute it to those who are going out to talk to those in need.  This is NOT a tool to pass out, but a tool to help those while they are going.

The Dark Knight Outreach handout.  Youth leaders and students can use this handout to give to those they talk to.  It points the person to the gospeljourney.comwebsite so they can dive deeper into the concepts of faith in Jesus if they are seeking more answers. This is a tool that is on a normal 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper.  We recommend printing it on thicker paper or even cardstock so it is a little thicker and better as a handout.  Then, cut it into 8 pieces.  In the end it will be a little bigger than a business card, but can definitely be passed out to those who don’t know Jesus.  The best way to use it is to start a conversation with someone (using the talking points card), then give them the “outreach handout”.  If it is possible, try to visit the gospeljourney.com website while you are actually talking to the individual.  The handout card is the next best option however.

Remember, sharing the gospel is both relational and relentless. Relational in that you actually listen and care for the individual.  Relentless in that you actually share with words the saving hope found in Christ and Christ alone.  We leave you with these words from Paul in Acts 20:24 and charge you to do the same:

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”

The message of Jesus is good news, and in this time of darkness and tragedy that message of a Savior is hope indeed.  Go, live THE Cause!