strategy. If the defense was spread out, Tebow might hand off to the running back, who would run straight up the middle. If the defense was bunched up in the middle, he might fake a hand-off to the running back and then pass to a receiver down the field. His choice of play depended on what he saw on the field. As we interact with men, we need to do something similar. We try to determine any barriers to the gospel. We don’t target areas where our friends show they are defensive. We look for ways to engage them in places where they demonstrate openness. I believe we always have at least three options. We can look for opportunities to pray for a friend (or with him, if he seems willing). We can seek ways to serve a friend. And we can offer a meaningful gift. MIMBS 4 Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 32:1–33:13, Romans 15:23–16:9, Psalm 25:16–22, Proverbs 20:16–18 29 Wednesday–August 2•The “Read Option” ...To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. (1 Corinthians 9:20–23) Tim Tebow became famous in college football for running the “read option.” He would “read” the opposing players and respond accordingly with a play designed to counter the defensive Re-read today’s Scripture from 1 Corinthians 9:20–23. In your own words, explain how that equates to a spiritual equivalent of Tebow’s “read option.” Thursday—August 3•Intentional Spiritual Friendships A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:34–35) Suppose you’ve initiated taking a friend out for coffee. Conversation came easily, and you were even able to introduce some spiritual topics. In the midst of all that, keep in mind the motivation for pursuing intentional spiritual friendships. We aren’t trying to manipulate men into God’s Kingdom. Rather, we pursue interaction because we don’t want him to miss Jesus. We don’t want him to spend eternity in hell. And so, we engage with him. Love is the key. At one point in His ministry, a religious leader asked Jesus, “What is the greatest commandment?” Jesus said the first priority is to love God, and the second is to love people (see Matthew 22:36–40). That’s a general command. But going on a little further, Jesus made it personal. John 13 records the events in the Upper Room, just before Jesus was betrayed. In that context, Jesus said he was giving a new commandment: “Love one another.” He said this would be the evidence of our relationship with Him. And so, you see a progression from general to personal. Jesus said love must be our motivation. MIMBS 4 How can you tell if someone is reaching out to you with a desire to manipulate, or with a desire to express genuine care? How can you apply that understanding to the way you reach out to others? Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 33:14–34:33, Romans 16:10–27, Psalm 26:1–12, Proverbs 20:19
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