Is Small Talk Really Small?
Chitchat. Chatting. Chewing the fat.
Those words and phrases (and others) are used to describe what many refer to as “small talk.” Nothing that would make the headlines is being discussed. The subject of the conversation may be as “mundane” as the weather, how a sports team is doing, what different family members are doing, a particular recipe, or any number of other every day and ordinary things.
Are we wasting our time when we engage in small talk? Is there any value in this practice?
Would merely asking somebody for a drink of water be considered small talk? What about just asking somebody if they were understanding what they were reading?
By now, I’m sure you recognize that I have in mind Jesus’ conversation with the “woman at the well” as recorded in John 4:1ff and the question that Philip asked the eunuch from Ethiopia (Acts 8:26ff).
Neither one of those conversations led to splitting the atom, world peace, or a cure for cancer. Both, however, led to eternal souls becoming followers of the Lord.
Small talk may not be so small after all.
Small talk may open a door for huge things. Just ask that salesperson who takes home a big commission check because he/she first established a relationship with you that began with small talk. Have you ever bought a “big ticket item” after a conversation that began with a “small potatoes” subject?
Maybe the conversation started with something like: “Boy, it sure is hot today, isn’t it?” “How’s your family?” “I haven’t seen you in a while. What have you been up to?” “What do you think about…?”
It is my opinion that small talk can have a big value. Among other things, small talk demonstrates that…
- I think another person is important.
- I have time for another person.
- I am interested in another person.
- I am interested in what another person is interested in.
- I am willing to listen.
- I want, at least on some level, to have a relationship with another person.
I do not want to leave the impression that small talk, by itself, can lead a soul to the Lord. It cannot. In order for a person to become a Christian, there must be some serious study of God’s word in either a formal or informal setting.
Small talk can, however, lead to or enhance a relationship with an individual. That relationship could, someday, be a key factor in helping that person to decide to become a Christian.
There is absolutely nothing small about that.
Wouldn’t it be great if, in heaven, somebody would walk up to you and say something like, “I don’t think I’d be here if you had not taken the time to spend some time talking with me.”
To Receive Every Article from A Legacy of Faith through Email for Free, Click Here
AUTHOR: Jim Faughn
