How do you talk to your friends about Christ

[treeking]

How do you talk to your friends about Christ? A few months back I was having a friendly discussion with one of my closer messenger friends who believes in a God but doesn't believe in the bible and after talking for awhile about it it seems my friend is perfectly happy enough with his beliefs that as long as he is a good person he will go to heaven.

I just could not seem to fully convince him that the bible wasn't sexist either as he seemed fully convinced it was so I did not press him any further because it seems he already has his beliefs firmly rooted in his mind and he is satisfied with his own belief.

Is there really much a person can do?

 

[Makoto]

My personal opinion is that the best way to lead is to be an example. You can't force someone to see things your way, they have to come to a conclusion themselves. I'm not saying that it's pointless to have discussions like that. You may make a point your friend hadn't seen before, or vice versa. I think the best thing to do is plant the seeds and see which ones grow.

 

[Lady Derelict Content]

Sometimes I wear a small <>< badge on my business clothes which gets attention. When asked I say what it means and give reason for my faith.

Mostly, people, particularly business people dislike being told about Christianity. But then, such is my schedule that I don't get much time as I should like. Sometimes though, I sense someone is troubled and help them. Actions speak louder than words.

How do you talk to your friends about Christ? A few months back I was having a friendly discussion with one of my closer messenger friends who believes in a God but doesn't believe in the bible and after talking for awhile about it it seems my friend is perfectly happy enough with his beliefs that as long as he is a good person he will go to heaven.

I just could not seem to fully convince him that the bible wasn't sexist either as he seemed fully convinced it was so I did not press him any further because it seems he already has his beliefs firmly rooted in his mind and he is satisfied with his own belief.

Is there really much a person can do?

 

[treeking]

Thanks for the responses, I like those ideas.

 

[ElizabethGould]

I found the following approach helpful:

- Lead by example. Actions really do speak louder than words and if you can show people that being a Christian isn't merely about lip profession, it will boost them further than any amount of Scripture.

- Be responsive of others' opinions. If someone is of a different faith opinion than you, ask them why they think that and actually LISTEN to their answers. You don't have to agree with someone but finding out why people believe and think as they do is interesting and can often challenge your own thinking.

- Don't be dogmatic about your particular form of Christians. It can be all too easy to compartmentalize Christianity into a box of your own making. Read around your own church's teachings and always have these alternate thoughts in mind.

- Don't be scared to say you don't know if someone asks you a religious question you don't know the answer to. There is nothing worse than asking someone only to be met with the silence of them not willing to admit they don't know. You're not a Christian encyclopaedia. Offer for you to go away and look it up, and for you to talk to that person later.

- Try this tactic: let's say you're watching the news, reading the paper or listening to the radio. Ask the other person their opinion and use that as a springboard to further discussion. Or if you're on MSN or something, ask them if they've seen a national news article or some other big event and go from there.

- Small touches can be best. Something as simple as saying 'God bless' to someone in greeting can often be effective. Or, if you hear some bad news, offer to pray for them. It's non-threatening and can easily be turned down by the other person if they feel uncomfortable.

- Make it personal. If the person you're speaking to is a fan of music, engage them in that. If they enjoy gardening, use this. If they're into politics, talk about that. That way you'll find them more willing to open up if they're in familiar territory.

Hope this is helpful!

 

[KyleFleming]

Well. I would lovingly let them know that what they believe is not true. Give them reasons why. Pray for them, and try to use scripture because the reason they don't believe is because they have not the Holy Spirit. Faith comes by hearing the word of God so they need to hear that, discreet or indiscreetly, that is to your discretion. Continue to love, no doubt.

 

[~Red~]

My personal opinion is that the best way to lead is to be an example. You can't force someone to see things your way, they have to come to a conclusion themselves. I'm not saying that it's pointless to have discussions like that. You may make a point your friend hadn't seen before, or vice versa. I think the best thing to do is plant the seeds and see which ones grow.

I agree totally with this. Lead by example.

 

[D1Z]

I'm lucky, most of my friends are friends from Church or the Christian schools I went to. I have co-workers who, some claim to be Christian, but the fruit they bear doesn't match what they say. I'm not going to judge, but when I try to talk about anything like that they get defensive and quickly shut down. Most everyone else who is not is tolerant, if you will, and excepts that I believe and when I talk about it they except I believe what I'm saying, but I don't know if it gets to them.

It's hard because it's supposed to be selfless, and for most people, that's an alien concept.

 

[SeekJusticeLoveMercy]

I really wish I was better at this. I'm learning about apologetics which has helped me a little to answer questions that people come up with. I'm horrible at initiating conversations. Definitely looking forward to hearing how the rest of you do so.

 

[Jeffersonian]

Romans 10:17
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

Yes, we need to be an example but faith comes as we listen to the word of Christ!

 

[NaturallyGone]

How do you talk to your friends about Christ? A few months back I was having a friendly discussion with one of my closer messenger friends who believes in a God but doesn't believe in the bible and after talking for awhile about it it seems my friend is perfectly happy enough with his beliefs that as long as he is a good person he will go to heaven.

I just could not seem to fully convince him that the bible wasn't sexist either as he seemed fully convinced it was so I did not press him any further because it seems he already has his beliefs firmly rooted in his mind and he is satisfied with his own belief.

Is there really much a person can do?

Simple answer: don't try so hard. Part of the reason why he may be so hesitant or holding firm to his beliefs is cause it might seem to him like you're trying to force God down his throat. Follow the example the Bible tells us about: someone was sharing the news of Jesus, and got asked if he really was the Christ. The person's answer: come and see.

 

[vanillakay]

My personal opinion is that the best way to lead is to be an example. You can't force someone to see things your way, they have to come to a conclusion themselves. I'm not saying that it's pointless to have discussions like that. You may make a point your friend hadn't seen before, or vice versa. I think the best thing to do is plant the seeds and see which ones grow.

This. 100%. Good luck!

 

[marinasdiamond]

I was also told to "plant seeds" by a minister once... she talked about how God tests your endurance when you see someone you want to help and realize you can't right away. It also tests your patience as well, because sometimes it can be difficult to get someone to see your point of view or be open to receiving the Word of God. She reminded us that people grow on their own and that it mostly depends on how open they are to listening and believing. So really it's a matter of listening to the openness of others I think.... and I also have firmly believed in showing by example

 

[Andres88]

I don't. All my friends know Jesus on a personal level.