Kairos Experience

Unexpected ideas can occur at any step of the FBF process but especially during the times of reflection and evaluation and decision. People of faith can often sense God at work in these moments. A 'Kairos Experience' is the term used to describe these occasions.

There is a well known example of a Kairos Experience in Salvation Army history. William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army said to his wife, Catherine, when he returned home after a meeting in the East End of London: 'Darling, I have found my destiny.' He felt God leading him in a particular way. William Booth had a Kairos Experience.

Much earlier, The Bible records that Peter, the disciple who had been with Jesus for a couple of years, eventually recognised who Jesus was and said: 'You are the Christ the Son of the living God.' (Matthew 16:16 NIV). Jesus told many stories about people having unexpected ideas, such as the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) when the young man 'came to his senses' (v17) after a number of bad experiences and a long time of reflection. It was a Kairos experience that led to a wonderful reunion with his father.

Kairos is a Greek word (καιρoς) that isn't easy to translate into other languages – it means something like 'God's moment' or 'the right time'. Such flashes of inspiration may come when we are not actively seeking them. New insight may also happen gradually and not necessarily at a specifically defined 'moment'. FBF understands these experiences to be the work of God. Christians find the Bible, prayer and times of reflection can stimulate and lead to a Kairos experience.

Kairos experience has been placed at the centre of the diagram to indicate the presence and influence of God in all aspects of life. It reminds people of faith of the importance of always integrating beliefs with actions and the promise that God is always present.