Where do you start?

[Sharp]

Often I have great opportunities to talk about Christianity to people who are willing to listen and give me their full attention. But more often than not, I can't think of where to start.

Unless their is a particular issue being discussed, or where I am arguing my Christian view against a seasoned aethiest or someone from another religion, I really struggle with evangelism.

The question 'why should I become a Christian?' is one that I struggle to answer, even though I know the answer.

So my question is, if you were to explain Christianity to someone and tell them why they should become a Christian, where would you start? Would you ask them questions about their life? Would you talk about the life of Jesus? The Bible? The sinfulness of the world? Eternal ****ation for unbelievers?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Cup-of-Ruin]

Often I have great opportunities to talk about Christianity to people who are willing to listen and give me their full attention. But more often than not, I can't think of where to start.

Unless their is a particular issue being discussed, or where I am arguing my Christian view against a seasoned aethiest or someone from another religion, I really struggle with evangelism.

The question 'why should I become a Christian?' is one that I struggle to answer, even though I know the answer.

So my question is, if you were to explain Christianity to someone and tell them why they should become a Christian, where would you start? Would you ask them questions about their life? Would you talk about the life of Jesus? The Bible? The sinfulness of the world? Eternal ****ation for unbelievers?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

The Bible tells us that the Great Prophets, the like of Noah and Jeremiah, giants of wisdom, spirit and stamina preached for decades, probably the most powerful preaching ever heard on earth without managing but a handful of converts, and anybody that is turned to God by hearing the Word is not because the speaker was convincing but that the spirit did testify, as it is written that 'you did not choose Me, but it is I that have chosen you'. Also Paul studied scripture for 13 years before he decided he was ready to talk about God.

My advise would be to ask yourself, 'what does it mean to be a Christian?' because there will never be a point in your life where you have personally decided that you want to be a christian, that is not biblical, we cannot choose God, imagine going up to some dirty rotten God-hating sinner and saying, 'would you sir, like to become a Christian?', it's not up him, the problem with the evangelical movement is that they have this personal savior doctrine and Jesus is your best friend idea that achieves nothing and just drags God's Holy Name and Words through the mud, sometimes you hear some modern preacher acting like the Lord is some desperate begger just grovelling for every sinner and devil's attention, they just nagging away until someone feels sorry for them.

I was in this evangelical christian church for awhile, and people like talking about 'wins for christ' like notches on their belts or something, inflating their ego to believe they have some supernatural ability to save people from the Wrath of God, or that they know someone is going to hell and they say it in a condescending way so they feel all superior and holy.

You know what I say; there have never been so many christians, never been so many churches and ministries and missions and preachers and teachers and courses and classes and a billion bibles and yet our world has never been so far away from God!

God said that He would plead with us face to face in the wilderness! Bible says that there is only one mediator between God and man! "And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and everyman his brother, saying- 'know the Lord': for all shall know Me, from the lest to the greatest."

Hope that helps some.

 

[Jstiller365]

Well, you can always share your thoughts and experiences in such a way that you are not annoying people. Otherwise, you will just be creating a negative impression and people will most likely shun away from the word of God. So, know the perfect timing, and always be relevant.

 

[missy2shoes]

Great question Sharp....I shall keep an eye on this thread to see what advice people have.......it's a question I've often asked myself...

 

[MaggieMye]

Two ideas:
1~ ask them if they know where they will end up, eternally, when it is all over. Most will say "I'm a good person, so I'll go to heaven" Then the door is open and you can share about God's requirement to have the spirit reborn.
2~Share with them all the wonderful things that Jesus has done for you...how you've prayed and how prayers were answered.
Maggie

 

[Sharp]

Thanks Maggie. Two very good ideas. I like the first one. But typically when I point out to people that nowhere in the bible does it say that you can get to heaven by being good, it becomes a discussion about whether the bible was just made up or whether it was inspired by God, or about the perils of organised religion, or that the bible is just another book of rules like the quran or hindu scriptures. How do I convince a perfectly happy person that they need to find God? And how do I convince people that Christianity is not just some religion like islam or buddhism?

 

[Grimaldus]

I have enough confidence in my choices that I don't worry about my soul, and from some of the things I've read in the bible I think even if God did exist and the bible where the truth, I don't think I would allow him my soul.

 

[missy2shoes]

......................................

 

[thefightinglamb]

That is a great question...and I find myself in the same predicament...time and time again...

Are we to preach to people that will not listen???
See thats a question behind your question...but it is inside it somehow...

ANd the wierd thing is....I think we are...

Jesus had thousands of people following him...even religious leaders of his time...and he was called to speak to all of them...even though he spiritually saw and knew that spiritually he was speaking to no one but God...as the people who were spiritually blind and deaf could not hear his message...yet he was called to preach that message to them anyway...

It reminds me of a classroom of college students...where the teacher is teaching something essential but all the students are sleeping or daydreaming or whatever...should the teacher still teach, though no one is listening???

SHould God speak to us even if we don't care to hear...I believe He does...and I do not know how to adequetely justify what God does...He has his own logic that I will not try to fathom...

So Jesus preaches to spiritually deaf people...many of the prophets were also called to preach messages to Israel that God even told them they would not listen to...but still God sends them out to preach...what is the point in preaching a message nobody hears? But God does hear...so no message is ever wasted...

And now, onto your question...how do you reach out to people for Christ? You follow Him...both in your life reflecting His light...and also in the moment...if God compells you to do something, don't ask ten thousand questions, do it...and see what happens...marvel at what He can do through you...and if nothing seems to happen...have faith...and keep perservering in His will and word and love...

Love is the best evangelical tool...it can turn the hardest heart into jello...cherry jello (because its the best flavor)...

And then say whatever the Lord shows you, and care for that person...if a person does not believe you care for them...why should they REALLY think you are trying to help them by turning them to the Lord...for all they know, you may be trying to deceive them like so many people in this world have...

And then from there...you can talk about love...Jesus Christ...and sin...and holiness...and cause them to yearn to be a Christian...

Thats what I do...with Christian and non-Christian alike...and though it often gets me into trouble...I would rather love everyone with Christ's love than be bored with a callous heart towards everybody like this world is...

May the Lord lead you to shine for others...like a bright torch in this world.
God bless
tony

ps...Grimaldus...I love you...and someday Christian love with engulf the world...and though you retreat to some foreign island continent, we will find you and love you still...what you said saddens me...

 

[watchmen]

Often I have great opportunities to talk about Christianity to people who are willing to listen and give me their full attention. But more often than not, I can't think of where to start.

Unless their is a particular issue being discussed, or where I am arguing my Christian view against a seasoned aethiest or someone from another religion, I really struggle with evangelism.

The question 'why should I become a Christian?' is one that I struggle to answer, even though I know the answer.

So my question is, if you were to explain Christianity to someone and tell them why they should become a Christian, where would you start? Would you ask them questions about their life? Would you talk about the life of Jesus? The Bible? The sinfulness of the world? Eternal ****ation for unbelievers?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

The eternal ****ation of unbelievers is a good place to start, and then explain to them what Christ did so they would not have to answer for their sins, but be freed from them.

 

[SethSethSeth]

Often I have great opportunities to talk about Christianity to people who are willing to listen and give me their full attention. But more often than not, I can't think of where to start.

Unless their is a particular issue being discussed, or where I am arguing my Christian view against a seasoned aethiest or someone from another religion, I really struggle with evangelism.

The question 'why should I become a Christian?' is one that I struggle to answer, even though I know the answer.

So my question is, if you were to explain Christianity to someone and tell them why they should become a Christian, where would you start? Would you ask them questions about their life? Would you talk about the life of Jesus? The Bible? The sinfulness of the world? Eternal ****ation for unbelievers?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Why become a Christian?

How about this:

So we can live a life full of God's love and when people let us down, we always have a BEST FRIEND.

That's a good intro line for a person who is lost, and they are lost whether they believe they are lost or not.

 

[Kakashi]

The eternal ****ation of unbelievers is a good place to start, and then explain to them what Christ did so they would not have to answer for their sins, but be freed from them.

Unfourtunantly, I don't think people will stick around for part two of the conversation after part one. And if they do, their ears might be closed because of the the clanging symbol...

 

[SethSethSeth]

I have enough confidence in my choices that I don't worry about my soul, and from some of the things I've read in the bible I think even if God did exist and the bible where the truth, I don't think I would allow him my soul.

GRIM,
Why in the world are you on this site? Are here only to try and mislead people? Dude, if you don't believe in God's Word, then why are you even here?

GRIM,
With that being said, man.....Do you know that even the demons "believe" in the word of GOD and they tremble .

There is a HUGE difference between believing and having the LORD be you master.

You have over 100 plus posts, and you don't acknowledge Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour?

Then why are you here? Dude, if you are trying to mislead people away from Christ, you are headed for DISASTER upon DISASTER.

Read this one verse right here dude.

Proverbs 4:19
The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

Psa 38:1
O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

Psa
92:6
A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.

If you have mislead someone on purpose, you are about to be in for it dude...


Heed this rebuke while you can.

 

[watchmen]

Unfourtunantly, I don't think people will stick around for part two of the conversation after part one. And if they do, their ears might be closed because of the the clanging symbol...

The fact is this is the gospel. That is why Jesus was crucified, and Paul was stoned, run out of town, and imprisoned. esus spoke much more of Hell than He did Heaven. Of course we speak in love, buit if we do not expose peoples sin and tell them the punishment for their sin, in doing so showing them their need for salvation. Then we are certainly not loving them. If a blind man was walking toward a 1,000ft cliff you would certainly let them know would you not?

Acts 24
24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.


Yes the gospel of Jesus, Paul, and scripture is not just love, good times, and coombayaa, but it is indeed the teaching that there is a Hell to shun. If you are not sharing this with the lost then you are not loving them.

 

[SethSethSeth]

You know what I think about this,

That there are the Wheat and the Tares. The true lost Sheep of Israel and then you have the Goats. Simple.

2 kinds of people, no more no less.

God, for some reason unknown to me, has allowed the wicked to mix with the good.

He can see the wisdom in this, only HE can. He wished all would repent and come home, but the mere fact is that is not going to happen.

So, when the lost sheep, hear the Word, they respond, when the goats hear it they refuse to believe it and mock you in your face. It's very simple. But the time is coming, when I am not sure I really want to be mixing with the evil lost people to much longer. All they do try to wound your spirit, and plant the seed of doubt and then turn other people against you.

so, in other words, I don't have to sell the gospel, or push it with loud brash ego driven emotions, I simply tell the TRUTH, and that pAwnS all the pretenders that are only in our lives to harm us.

 

[watchmen]

I simply tell the TRUTH.

Exactly, and the truth is we are all headed for Hell unless we turn to Christ who paid the price for our sin so that we do not have to. That is the truth, that is the gospel.

 

[sweetie36]

I know I dont know what to do when people dont want to know about God.
There is a girl were I am renting some rooms and she has said she Doesnt belive in God and doesnt want anything to to with God, I dont even know were to start. I could really use some help with out sounding like a preacher????? Maybye I should just pray for her, I have some. I need to do it more.
She likes to take the Lords name in vain and I dont like that when she does it or anyone else does it and its hard to be around people that say things they shouldnt. I just wish everyone can belive in Jesus and be Saved.......

 

[BLC]

Often I have great opportunities to talk about Christianity to people who are willing to listen and give me their full attention. But more often than not, I can't think of where to start.

Unless their is a particular issue being discussed, or where I am arguing my Christian view against a seasoned aethiest or someone from another religion, I really struggle with evangelism.

The question 'why should I become a Christian?' is one that I struggle to answer, even though I know the answer.

So my question is, if you were to explain Christianity to someone and tell them why they should become a Christian, where would you start? Would you ask them questions about their life? Would you talk about the life of Jesus? The Bible? The sinfulness of the world? Eternal ****ation for unbelievers?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

God is always drawing people to Himself with loving kindness (Jer 31:3). God gave His only begotten Son because He loved the world. Every person needs to hear the gospel but God has those He is drawing. When we walk in the Spirit and are led by the Spirit, our steps are guided by the Lord. He will lead us and give us discernment about people He is drawing to Himself. When Jesus met the woman at the well He spoke of Himself as the living water and ministered to her that way to draw her to Himself. When we minister to people we are to draw them to Christ and testify of those things that He has provided for the forgiveness and cleansing of sin. Sometimes we sow, sometimes water and sometimes God gives the increase. We are to preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Christianity has taken on many forms so we are to be ambassadors of Christ, not Christianity. Once a person is saved God takes care of the Christianity part.

There are five words we can all keep in mind when we minister to the lost concerning the cross of Christ; faith, hope, trust, believe, love. The greatest is love because we have faith in the love of God, we hope in the love of God, we trust the love of God and we believe in the One whom God sent because of love. Our message and ministry is always one of reconciliation to God through Christ. When you minister, it is better to have two. The disciples were sent in pairs of two because of the presence of God in the midst of two or more gathered together in His name.

 

[awings7]

The Bible tells us that the Great Prophets, the like of Noah and Jeremiah, giants of wisdom, spirit and stamina preached for decades, probably the most powerful preaching ever heard on earth without managing but a handful of converts, and anybody that is turned to God by hearing the Word is not because the speaker was convincing but that the spirit did testify, as it is written that 'you did not choose Me, but it is I that have chosen you'. Also Paul studied scripture for 13 years before he decided he was ready to talk about God.

My advise would be to ask yourself, 'what does it mean to be a Christian?' because there will never be a point in your life where you have personally decided that you want to be a christian, that is not biblical, we cannot choose God, imagine going up to some dirty rotten God-hating sinner and saying, 'would you sir, like to become a Christian?', it's not up him, the problem with the evangelical movement is that they have this personal savior doctrine and Jesus is your best friend idea that achieves nothing and just drags God's Holy Name and Words through the mud, sometimes you hear some modern preacher acting like the Lord is some desperate begger just grovelling for every sinner and devil's attention, they just nagging away until someone feels sorry for them.

I was in this evangelical christian church for awhile, and people like talking about 'wins for christ' like notches on their belts or something, inflating their ego to believe they have some supernatural ability to save people from the Wrath of God, or that they know someone is going to hell and they say it in a condescending way so they feel all superior and holy.

You know what I say; there have never been so many christians, never been so many churches and ministries and missions and preachers and teachers and courses and classes and a billion bibles and yet our world has never been so far away from God!

God said that He would plead with us face to face in the wilderness! Bible says that there is only one mediator between God and man! "And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and everyman his brother, saying- 'know the Lord': for all shall know Me, from the lest to the greatest."

Hope that helps some.

The Spirit of God draws someone to Christ, and converts them if they except Christ.

Some of those people either forget that or were never taught .

The world is no longer intersted in being told soemthing about God , they want to see it, esp inthe behavior of those who are supposedly in the Body of Christ. If the Body of Christ doesnt learn to love
eachother as the Lord loves us, we have no right to complain about the disinterest of the world toward God. Hello , can i get a wittness??

 

[Kakashi]

The fact is this is the gospel. That is why Jesus was crucified, and Paul was stoned, run out of town, and imprisoned. esus spoke much more of Hell than He did Heaven. Of course we speak in love, buit if we do not expose peoples sin and tell them the punishment for their sin, in doing so showing them their need for salvation. Then we are certainly not loving them. If a blind man was walking toward a 1,000ft cliff you would certainly let them know would you not?

Yes the gospel of Jesus, Paul, and scripture is not just love, good times, and coombayaa, but it is indeed the teaching that there is a Hell to shun. If you are not sharing this with the lost then you are not loving them.

Jesus spoke more condemnation towards jewish zealots who twisted the truth than he did people who wern't even religious. Who did he call venomous vipers?

I'm aware that the gospel isn't about just "good times", but it IS about love. That's kind of the whole point of the gospel. How you communicate the gospel is just as important as the Gospel itself. Without love, your words are pointless and fall on deaf ears. I'm aware that there is a hell, and that people should know of it and their sins, but who will listen if you;re condemning them about something that they don't even believe in yet? People have to see by your love in your actions towards them and others as you proclaim the truth before other truths will be grasped.

I'll say what my pastor says : "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." I'd say that fits nicely with my point. The bible says "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." 1 Cr 13:1

I guess I'm just saying that the order of doing things is important. Think of yourself in the unbeilivers shoes and what would be the most effective method.