How’s the Weather? Small Talk as Evangelism
Many of us students, either growing up as a follower of Jesus or otherwise, thrive in the fellowship of believers. Walking alongside Christians, we sharpen each other’s knowledge and faith, enduring through trials and tribulations within a loving, Christian community. Earnestly, we rejoice in that bond forged through a common appreciation for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross—a bond which multiplies into a community of trusting Christians who support each other. Through such support, the love of Christ reverberates through each of the community’s constituents.
But for many, as our lives increasingly intertwine with the Christian community, we are tempted to limit our social interactions to only within the community. Specifically, we interact with Christians only. Our love now focuses intently only toward those who are Christians. A subtle social division emerges: me, a follower of Christ, and them, those outside the fold. Sometimes, the community even turns into a self-contained club with an implicit attitude of exclusion.
Yet I distinctly remember my first impression of a particular brother: a round, warm visage adorned with a black beard, loud and affable. He came up to me at a Christian conference and quickly struck up a conversation. He had recently graduated from a seminary in the United States. Moved by a calling of God, he packed up his bags and roamed from place to place, spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. Indeed, this man burned with zeal for God and strived to evangelize the nations.
He was fervent, joyous in starting gospel conversations gracefully. Never ashamed of bestowing the greatest gift, he conversed with McDonald’s cashiers, Spanish-speaking families on their family vacation, janitors—all strangers. For him, evangelism became a social habit, one which emerged out of his way of worship. He enjoyed sharing his own path towards Jesus with strangers, framing it as a beautiful way to know somebody, love somebody, and give what he can.
Undoubtedly, he is blessed with a gift. For others, this is difficult. Our social habits, a vestige of our upbringing and experience, trend toward what is comfortable. For many, such sociality remains limited to those within the Christian community. In view of this, how can we go out and make disciples of all men, the final commandment which Jesus gave during his earthly ministry?
Toward this end, I propose one practical recommendation: cherish and practice small talk. For many, small talk represents the stale prelude to an actual conversation about heftier topics. Comments on the weather hopefully morph to an alternative topic which intrigues both parties. But in reality, small talk is a crucial mechanism in which people engage new people, and thus a necessary process in spreading Jesus’ truth to the world.
Small talk can further Christ’s love in two ways. First, initiating small talk implicitly signals an openness to a relationship and an exchange of dialogue. Beginning from love, we must take genuine interest in the other person through questions: “Where are you from?” “What are you studying?” Even, “How’s the weather?”
Each question demonstrates an earnestness to hear from the other people, inviting them to recount their narrative. Through small talk, we show that we cherish the value of this connection and the input of our interlocutor. And through an insightful comment, we can link surface-level details into deeper emotional themes or seminal memories or philosophy. Beginning from small talk, we now engage people with the larger dialectics of life, a dialectic which the gospel addresses. Naturally, the name of Jesus naturally flows into the conversation as we bear witness.
Second, intentional, long-term relationships blossom through people’s active interest in each other. Friendship grows between people through this interest, and in order to demonstrate this interest, there must be small talk. Only through this activity do people grow comfortable with each other and begin cherishing the beauty of a new relationship. Here, we genuinely offer up ourselves as living examples, testifying to the transformative power of Jesus’ message.
Even more so, I think an outward appreciation for small talk will flow naturally from our understanding of the nature of the gospel. We hold the most valuable jewel ever bestowed upon humanity: beautiful truth which holds eternal value. Having received the truth, we hold moral and spiritual responsibility to carry and share it with others. So, the next time you find yourself in public with strangers, smile a little and strike up a quick conversation. Who knows? You might just change a life.
What a privilege that we can fulfill a high calling by just starting with a little small talk.
Gabriel Cao is a junior at the Dual Degree Program between Columbia University and Tel Aviv University. He enjoys bowling and playing pool during his free time.