Things not to do when sharing your faith

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I'm by no means an expert, so I'll only share what I've experienced about sharing it with younger to middle aged people, and it'd be cool if you guys could share what has not worked for you or others you've seen either.

- quoting stuff from the Old King James Bible, it comes across as completely out of touch, no one talks like that anymore, and from my experience makes you sound like you've joined a cult.

-don't keep using terms that non-christians you're trying to address cannot relate to. eg "I felt compelled by the spirit to x". Share your faith, share what god has done for you undeservedly - but if you keep using alien sounding terms you'll do just that, alienate people. Take a page from Paul's book (literally :P) change the context or medium - not the message

- connecting to my last point, you know the truth - it's universal, applies to all. So don't sugar-coat it, tell the gospel like it is, wholly and fully, otherwise you end up with people thinking God's only characteristic is love (which is false, and idolatry).

any other experiences here we can all learn from guys?
 
Pray for guidance. Don't argue, say what you want to say and if they're looking for a real discussion, by all means help them to the best of your abilities. But don't argue. Then pray for them, whether or not they received your message.
 
listen and by your actions show God's love, don't just talk about it but live it. sometimes saying nothing and just giving them the time to talk to you and do things with you says more than a thousand words.

do not be afraid to say you don't know the answer to something and offer it up in prayer with the other person. always remember to pray together with the person and place everything in God's hands and wait for His answer to questions, problems, etc.
 
Each situation is different. Each person is different. It doesn't matter their age or culture or religious background, as much as the Holy Spirit's leading matters. We are a competitive culture. We are not trying to win, we are just sharing God. This does not mean that we are called to tell people in black and white exactly what we believe at all times. A specific time when this comes into play is when we talk to homosexuals or those who are not against homosexuality. There is a direction to where God is going and even Jesus did not address every issue all at once. Many people he simply loved until the Father led him to address their sin. Not "bringing up" people's sin is not always ignoring it. THE most important thing is to hear what God has to say to that person and say it exactly the way He asks you to. Drop your agenda. Drop your preconceptions. People are people and God is God.
 
Or you could just leave it ? Ive never met an Atheist or Agnostic proclaiming their faith well... lack of faith for all to hear but ive met plenty of christian who do and its just annoying.
 
mmm they just uses different terms and call it scientific FACT. not saying all science is not bad just that atheist and agnostics prefer using scientific language to discuss their beliefs.
 
example why do you think the sun is made of helium and hydrogen atoms?
 
Don't corner a poor lady working at a sunglasses booth into telling you whether she knows she would go to heaven or hell if she died at that moment AFTER she just told you in her Russian accent that she goes to a Christian college. That way she won't look at you and your two friends like you're about to jump her.
 
Strider said:
- quoting stuff from the Old King James Bible, it comes across as completely out of touch, no one talks like that anymore, and from my experience makes you sound like you've joined a cult.
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I couldn't disagree more and I have found the opposite to be true. I think the KJV is the best Bible to quote from, because it carries authority.When you quote the 10 commandments and you say "Thou shalt not commit adultery" it comes off way more authoritative than "You should not commit adultery". I've used the NKJV and the KJV both and the KJV tends to get more respect. Some modern translations don't even sound like the Bible, e.g. paraphrase versions and carry no authority.
 
I think it's good, especially these days, not to assume that the person you're talking to hasn't heard the gospel. Some know the faith better than the people trying to make converts. In other words, assume that most people are unconvinced, not simply ignorant.
 
Telling them that there dirty sinners probably isnt a good idea.
 
NodMyHeadLikeYeah said:
Telling them that there dirty sinners probably isnt a good idea.
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To a point, it's necessary. Otherwise the cross was pointless. They need to understand they need saving because they are nothing but sinful (and that we all are). But yelling in their face "YOU'RE GOING TO HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL" isn't the way to do it. Break it to them more lightly. And then bring them back up again with grace and mercy through the Father.
 
Rissa77 said:
To a point, it's necessary. Otherwise the cross was pointless. They need to understand they need saving because they are nothing but sinful (and that we all are). But yelling in their face "YOU'RE GOING TO HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL" isn't the way to do it. Break it to them more lightly. And then bring them back up again with grace and mercy through the Father.
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Is there really a way to break it to someone lightly that there gonna burn in hell for eternity if there not saved???
 
NodMyHeadLikeYeah said:
Is there really a way to break it to someone lightly that there gonna burn in hell for eternity if there not saved???
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It's not an easy subject, but then it's not an easy situation. It shouldn't be presented in a way that brings them fear, or they may come to Christ just to get out of hell, and not out of a gratefulness or love.
 
Rissa77 said:
It's not an easy subject, but then it's not an easy situation. It shouldn't be presented in a way that brings them fear, or they may come to Christ just to get out of hell, and not out of a gratefulness or love.
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agreed..

dot dot dot to fill in the spaces ;)
 
NodMyHeadLikeYeah said:
Is there really a way to break it to someone lightly that there gonna burn in hell for eternity if there not saved???
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People know if you're sharing things with them out of love or just trying to add a notch to your soulwinning belt. And I think when sharing hell that goes a long way.
 
I guess the first thing about 'what to do and what not to do' when sharing your faith, is know who your talking to. A different denomination of christian, is likely to be persuaded with biblical argument. Those in the middle ground, unsure, still growing up, or with spiritual disposition may be more affected by the actions and concerns of their friends 'hell, grace and whatnot'.
 
I think one thing not to do when sharing your faith with someone is making them feel like you are judging them. That is the first thing that will make someone run the other direction. Speaking from what the Spirit leads you to say is something you should do. When we try and force our own ideas and opinions in there it never turns out good. Its best just to let the Lord take the lead.
 
Check out the way Kirk Cameron does it. Here he is witnessing to people on the street, including hardcore gang members. He has a certain line of questioning that he uses which doesn't make people feel like they are being preached to.

Short videos:
The Way of the Master
 
Do not compromise just so as to appear like your targets.... there is this ministry I have been part of. They give us rules like: You can drink as much as you want just don't let the kids know thatv you do( we minister to kids)... or smoke but don't let the kids see or you don't have to be all christian to be a member.... I mean what type of ministry is that?!!
I used to be so angry at their low standrds. at the end of the day all that the kids did was get a day of free popcorn and music and Jesus was totally out of the picture

speaking of the music...... I was close to two middle school girls who were members of my small Bible study group...everytime they attended the kids ministry they would tell me how disturbing the lyrics of the songs played were. That was supposed to be called Ministry for Christ. So please do not use music or movies that does not edifying
 
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