#56. Talking to strangers on airplanes.
Feb 26th by Jon
There is one way to witness to a stranger on a plane that is better than all other moves. It is such a brilliant move that we’ve been doing it since the Wright Brothers took their first flight. A lot of people don’t know that, but there were actually three people on that first historic flight in Kitty Hawk: the two Wright brothers and a Christian that was hoping they’d have a chance to share the Lord with them. But I am digressing from the move, so here it is:
You read your Bible on the plane.
This one is brilliant because no one can really say, “hey could you please not do that here.” You’re just reading the Bible. And if the person next to you makes even the hint of eye contact you can act all surprised, “Whoa, I didn’t even know I packed that. What is this doing here? Oh hey, you want to get in on this?” There’s no awkward pre conversation where you have to pretend you care where they’re from or where they went to college or how many kids they have. And again, if they never ask about the 14 pound book you’re casually reading next to them, then it’s all good. You got to read the Bible.
I only got married two years ago, at the very end of my 20s, so...
Comments
I do not like talking to people on the aiplane. Even if I’m seated next to my travel companions. Nope, I want to do my crossword puzzle, listen to my iPod, and then do that annoying head-bobbing-up-and-down-move with my mouth gaping open.
That being said…I like this idea. Will have to put it into practice. Most of my flights are coming from/going to SFO, so I could get some interesting reactions.
ps: see – you’ve given me liberty now…I take that “make a million comments” as a challenge, my friend. A challenge. En Garde.
lol.
My pastor absolutely loves to start talking to whoever is next to him. He can’t wait for them to ask what he does. Then he’s off and running.
I’ll have to remember this for the future though…
I’ve actually done this Lol
I do this on the bus. Hehe.
I used to read my bible on the subway on the way to work. I never used it as an opening to talk to people, I’m just not that forward, but numerous times people approached me about it, and I remember each time as some of the best conversations I’ve ever had on the subway.
One time when we got to the last stop the train conductor came out – I was in the front car – saw me putting away my Bible, and asked me to share an encouraging word with him. I noticed not one but 2 other people nearby also paused to see what I flipped to and read. It was pretty great.
These people drive me freaking nuts. Just leave me alone please. If I’d wanted to talk to complete strangers, I would’ve gone to a club or something.
People on planes.. yes! I used to do it all the time. But I was usually flying to a place where I had a missions agenda… so small talk about where I was going and why always landed on the subject.
Once I was flying to India and I felt God telling me to start talking to this huge Indian guy sitting beside me.. but I was too scared.. so I told God that I would read my Bible and if the guy started talking to me about it then I would follow through… well you know the rest of the story
Blackaby did this with his “Darringer”. If you don’t know what I’m talking about then you haven’t gone through Share Jesus Without Fear.
I thought "Share Jesus Without Fear" was done by Bill Fay.
Hey, that song “End of the Beginning” that they STILL play on Christian radio (See #46) is all about witnessing on an airplane!
That’s gotta make the list somewhere.
How has no one mentioned that the most brilliant part of this entire strategy is that they are STUCK next to you, possibly for a number of hours? It’s an enclosed space with nowhere to escape…
I’d read my bible on my bus commute every morning. Not only did I eventually read the bible from cover to cover but it almost always guaranteed that I got the seats all to myself
I read my giant picture Bible on the stairmaster at the gym (it’s easier to read when I’m moving!). I get funny looks, but it also repels people from getting on the machine next to me and gabbing on their cellphones REALLY LOUD about how drunk they got the night before.
No airplane conversion attempts please! I once sat in front of a minister who was trying to convert a Hindu computer programmer seated beside him. The Hindu obviously didn't want to be bothered, but kept his cool, asking (reasonably, I thought) that if the minister was of the opinion that "If only you'd try opening your heart to Jesus for a while," perhaps the minister might try opening his heart to Krishna for a while in fair exchange? Instead of being amused, the minister got increasingly angry and just wouldn't let it go. It was the most uncomfortable flight I've ever been on. Plus I got the treatment next, the minister suddenly announced that God had given him a message for me, the devil had "a present" waiting at my destination and "not to open it." He had a business card with a cross impaling a heart. CREEEPYY. This experience rather sealed my opinion that ministering to people who didn't ask for it and can't escape is beyond rude and not terribly effective.
This one makes me think of something else Christians love to do: assume they are the only people around them who know Jesus. I have been in several "secular" public settings where I've witnessed "Christians" embarrassing the crap out of themselves, Jesus, and other believers, all in the name of "witnessing." This is one of the best ways they do it, but there are several others. What do I do when on the airplane (or any other like setting)? Pray that God uses me however he sees fit. That may mean keeping my mouth shut, reading my Bible or sharing my story, whatever!
i love doing this one. I have not done it on a plane, but the concept is the same
I know Erwin McManus is a big fan of this, or at least, he mentions it occasionally in his podcasts. I'm all for people doing this; it certainly beats the pants off Christian mega-pastor-preacher-speakers who have their own private jets and so many speaking engagements that the only time they would ever have to personally engage with those who don't profess to know Christ (how I loathe the term 'non-Christian') in anything resembling a meaningful way, would be on a plane. But they can't. Because they went and bought their own plane so they wouldn't have to. Oh the irony. And yes, I realize that is a very long sentence. Peace and love from New Zealand
If you read the Bible in public, you gotta be the best role model possible and self-sacrifice for the comfort of others as an actual witness, and not just show off with outward religion or use religion as an excuse so you can inconvenience others — You can't sit here, I need that seat for my giant Bible. On the bus, you give up your seat, and not just for old handicapped ladies. On the subway, you don't block the doors while your nose is buried in the Bible. On the train, you don't spread out across two seats. On the plane, you leave the armrest for others. Would Jesus hog the armrests? Would Jesus bring a picnic spread from home and stink up the cabin with tuna fish? You can't be annoying or you do a disservice to the cause. Best: Be a model fellow passenger first, and only after that, bring out your Bible. First get them interested in what makes you so dang kind and nice and caring towards total strangers and then show 'em!
Same goes for Jesus fish on the car — you gotta be a really good and extra courteous driver.