Believers are to build trusting friendships with those far from God and introduce them to the God of the Bible and His Son Jesus Christ. The Bible states that Jesus was full of grace and truth (John 1:14-17). Jesus is to be our model for how we develop grace and truth relationships with unbelievers (Matthew 4:19).

The first phase in Building Grace and Truth Relationships is Personal Preparation. After spending much time in prayer (previous blog article), we must identify the unbelievers God has sovereignly placed in our lives. God has deliberately positioned you in your family to represent Him. God has purposely directed you to live in the neighborhood in which you live. God has knowingly destined you to interact with the people in your life.

What are we to do with these sovereignly chosen relationships? We are to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16). What are the names of these unbelievers in your life? In order to help you identify the lost people in your life, I have provided two charts. Let me encourage you to use these two charts to identify specific unbelievers God has placed in your life. You may be surprised at how many God has intentionally placed in direct contact with you.

The first chart, "Who is My Neighbor?" is taken from The Art of Neighboring: Building Genuine Relationships Right Outside Your Door by Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon. Write the names of the people who live in the houses represented by the "boxes" around your house. If you can give first and last names, that is great. If it is only first names, that is fine too.

The second chart is “Spheres of Influence,” adapted from MyCircle Training by Jim Murphy. Take note of the non-believers in your life in addition to your neighbors. “Others” can include a hairdresser, mechanic, doctor, or dentist. Also, take note of believers in your life who could live missionally with you.

Matthew 5:13-16 states, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”