Airplane Conversation: Finding Common Ground Through Shared Needs

Remember what happens when you ride on an airplane. You sit down beside someone. Sometimes you nod to each other. Sometimes you speak.

Sometimes you introduce yourselves by name. Sometimes you get involved in a conversation. Think about the differences. Why do you get deeply involved with one seatmate and totally ignore another?

Some reasons: You find you have something in common. You do the same kind of work, belong to the same church, or were born in the same town. Some problem develops. The attendant spills coffee on both of you.

Bad weather causes the plane to change destinations. You have the same need. Both going to visit a sick parent. Both have the same illness.

Both have lost a job. You have the same joys. Look at the picture of my grandchild. We are going to vacation in the same place.

Now place two chairs side-by-side as though they were airplane seats. Place the text of the sermon you are preparing in one of the seats. This text is your friend because you have studied it for yourself and you know the message it gives. Then in your imagination, put the people who are to hear your sermon in the other seat.

They are also your friends. You know many, if not all of them. Even the visitors come because they are looking for something and are hoping they can find it in the congregation you serve. The sermon is easy—introduce your friends to each other.

Look for messages in the text and experiences in the lives of the people who will hear your sermon. Find the matches.