Taken For A Walk

So we did it. The dread of all dreads happened last night--dum, dum, dadum... roleplay. Here's how we started things.



Frank was back. This godly trainer is no schlep. He immediately made us jump through the ring of fire with an overview (pop quiz) of the outline. Thankfully, my awesome hubby made us drill before we got there so I was fully prepared for the show tricks that Frank made us jump through; and there were a lot. We went over the outlines, verses and stopped for a quick drink from scripture regarding why the resurrection is important.



He challenged us with the importance of never leaving that out. Why is it important? Because it puts the 'pow' in power. Without the resurrection, you have just another miserable prophet who made ridiculous claims of himself and his expectations without any possible way of achieving anything, but frustration, emptiness and self-abasement. But with the power of the resurrection, you have the one true God, majestically and mercifully displaying His omnipotence to us so that we could know for certain who holds the keys to death and hell. It is God. I Corinthians 15:55, "O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH WHERE IS YOUR STING?



Can you hear me howlin'!? After a short break, he then leashed us and took us for the dreaded walk that no evangelism dog wants to tread. The roleplay sidewalk. Here's where the mutts are separated from the purebreds. The big dogs from the little ones. The Dalmatians from their spots. It is, without a doubt, the most nervous time in a young (hey!) pooch's life but I'm not sure why? Well, glory, glory, I was paired with my dear sister, Laura, a quiet and meek spirit. We took turns--one was the unbeliever and the other the believer, and then switched. Frank handed out assignments to each group and then we broke up into pairs and started to evangelize each other. hee, hee It makes me laugh just thinking about it.

Anyway, the first set, Laura was the unbeliever and I was the evangelizer. Laura was supposed to be an angry individual with no concept of God. We had about 6 minutes to get in our presentation while the unbeliever was to try and throw us with a preassigned curve. Laura and I laughed for about 3 minutes of it and the funny thing about my dear friend Laura is that evangelizing her was like evangelizing--well, a christian playing an unbeliever. She's just too sweet, kind, generous, thoughtful, and godly to really pull off an unbelieving shtick. And she's only been a believer for less than two years, but boy has she grown--leaps and bounds!! So while I had dreaded this whole role playing section in the evangelism class--it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable experiences in my life. Sitting with my dear friend Laura, uninterrupted for 6 minutes, sharing the gospel. Pure doggone pleasure! I'm sure it won't fare as well next time.

After a quick review and an encouragement by Frank to ask more questions as we evangelize, we then switched roles. Now I was the unbeliever (definitely more believable than Laura) and Laura was the evangelizer. I was to play the friend who borrowed a car from the believer (Laura) and then proceeded to smash it to smithereens. I was to pretend like I had no background in church at all. She did great. She got tripped up a couple of times, but all-in-all, she has this background glow about her, so she was able to gain points on godly love and presence alone. :) Way to go Laura! She articulated a few good points before the buzzer went off and we had to return to the main kennel.

Well, why do I include this part? Because roleplaying, however uncomfortable and squeamish it makes me feel, ultimately helped tremendously in organizing and defining the strengths and weaknesses of what I do and don't know. Now all of us are more equipped to present the gospel again, with an increased clarity and preciseness that we would not have had if we hadn't gotten a chance to try it out. :)

All in all, it was a great, heart-pounding class that made for some great laughs and some serious conversations on what's needed in our own personal lives as we go about our Father's business. Take it from me--this pup is very thankful that the Hound of Heaven has me in this class to learn how to be a true street hound for Him.