Love Goes Before Doctrine: Reaching Marginalized People in the 21st Century

When Love Is Countercultural

This workbook will change how you view Jesus's engagement with marginalized people.

- Know this: before Jesus came, all Gentiles were marginalized.

Jesus viewed marginalized people as a target for love, compassion, and transformation.

- To reveal the heart of the Father, Jesus demonstrated behavior patterns that posed a significant threat to cultural norms.

Winning hearts requires building meaningful relationships with those who may have the desire for this connection. Jesus often engaged with people on a personal level, addressing their individual needs and concerns. Through authentic interactions, Christians can create genuine connections with individuals who feel marginalized. Creating this safe space allows individuals to feel comfortable sharing their ideas and beliefs that may be dissimilar from ours without the fear of being admonished or condemned. The principles enumerated in this workbook can apply to all individuals wanting to reach out to other ethnic, socially, and generationally differentiated groups.

Rather than imposing beliefs, a heart-centered approach involves active listening and seeking to understand the perspectives, doubts, and questions of others. This builds trust and eventually allows for more effective communication of the Gospel message that will hopefully eventually lead to a heart change through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.

Karl Graham and Maureen Graham, PhD