My Parents

[Creationist2004]

I am living in a non-Christian family, and i really need some help on how to introduce them to the Lord, without being too pushy or scaring them away.

So far they talk to me about it for 5 minutes and then it's all forgotten.

The problem is when i first became a Christian, i kinda tried to force it on them out of desperation and they know i got upset.
So now they just humour me, and so i don't know whether they actually believe something i am telling them or not.

So, does anyone have any advice on how to talk to them and how to know what they really believe?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Rafael]

We are living letters to those around us. Our lives speak better than our mouths. Our actions speak more than words. When people see us love the poor by feeding them and clothing them or see us visiting the lonely or sick in hospitals and nursing homes, they see the light of God's love in truth.
Wait for opportunities to speak about your dear Lord and Savior and His Spirit will always supply the Words that are sweet for the moment. Be ready to give answers for your faith to those that ask, but when they see you live the economy of what you believe in your heart by pouring out you life on others as a servant, like Jesus, they will be more inclined to inquire as to why.
Be patient and loving with yourself and with those that you love. God will open hearts and opportunities if you ask and believe. Just see if He doesn't.

2 Corinthians 3:2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

EPHESIANS 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to DO GOOD WORKS, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

I JOHN 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children let us not love in words or tongue but with ACTIONS and truth.

Isaiah 58 (selected) Declare to my people their rebellion and to the house of Jacob their sins. For day after day they seek me out; the SEEM eager to Know my ways, AS IF they were a nation that does what is right and has not FORSAKEN THE COMMANDS OF ITS GOD. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. Is not THIS the kind of fasting I have chosen: TO LOOSE THE CHAINS OF INJUSTICE AND UNTIE THE CORDS OF THE YOKE, TO SET THE OPPRESSED FREE AND BREAK EVERY YOKE, IS IT NOT TO SHARE YOUR FOOD WITH THE HUNGRY AND TO PROVIDE THE POOR WANDERER WITH SHELTER WHEN YOU SEE THE NAKED, TO CLOTHE HIM, AND NOT TO TURN AWAY FROM YOUR OWN FLESH... If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the HUNGRY and satisfy the NEEDS OF THE OPPRESSED, then you will find your light will rise in the darkness ............

1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

 

[Blessed-one]

very good advice from raphe there.

evangelism is always uncertain, which is why you shouldn't give up on them. My non-christian dad is those kind that can humour us, go to christian movie.. attend church (no, not regularly), watch the once a week christian program.. but we know he doesn't have his heart in it, once we get down to the real issue, he ends up shouting.

continue to pray for them, Creationist, keep bringing them tapes, books, topics that you think might arouse their interest and make them think. Take them to seminars.. chat with them about the things you've learnt (yes, this one is especially effective i believe), let them see the positive changes in your life. Just.. tell them about your involvement in church.. and as time goes by, you might not know it, but they might become more accepting than before.

 

[Blindfaith316]

pray pray pray, I will pray for you also. Don't give up, wait for the Lord's timing and His words will come to you, its not easy to wait especially when its your loved ones, I know,my mom isnt saved and she left my father shortly before he died, becuase he was a christian and too preachy, so when I start talking to her, it shuts her right down, so I know the Lord si telling me to wait so that he can soften her heart... its the hardest thing to do...

 

[Snowhite]

That is a tough one...the best thing you can do is be an example. Also, remember that you never know when something you say will take root, when you may plant a seed, so keep living the truth and let God do His work in His time...

 

[bliz]

You need to see this from your parent's perspective. You have made a very different choice for your life than they have made. Most parents feel a bit rejected when their kids do that. There are almost certainly other adults in your life now who you listen to about spiritual matters the way you previously only listened to them. Further, by your own admission, and in your excitment as a new Christian, you came on way too strong at the beginning. Many parents have a hard time learning from their children; at best it's quite an adjustment so go easy on having all the answers. Pray for them to ask questions.

You need to go out of your way to reaffirm to them that you love and respect your parents and enjoy spending time with them.

While on one hand, don't assume that they haven't heard anything you've said in those 5 minute opportinities, do assume that what you do, and how you do it will say far more than any words that come out of your mouth. It is far easier to preach to people, especially people you live with, than to be a living witness. When you blow it - and lose patience, speak rudely, fail to do tasks assigned to you etc. (and you will do those things! I have lived with 3 16 year olds and been one myself!) apologize and ask for forgivness. You have an opportunity to be a living Gospel; it's also quite a demand. Ask some Christian friends to specifically pray for you in this area.