Unexpected death - how to help non-believers?

[Lightsped]

A good friend of mine unexpectantly lost his dad in a motorcycle accident yesterday. My friend is 21 years old. He is not a believer. He knows I am a believer, and never argues or debates my faith. He has several times mentioned that he thinks its good I do believe. I have tried to bring him into church many times in the past and for the most part have been unsuccessful. I have kept him prayer on and off for several years.

Yesterday his dad was killed in a motorcycle accident. My question is, how do we as believers deal with non-believers when they have a major loss? The non-believers obviously don't believe what we know to be true, so reciting scriptures probably won't do much for them. He isn't even close to being in the right frame of mind to be talked to about God and church.

What to do?

 

[Littlek]

To me...I wouldn't "push" him right now...not in a bad way! Just saying, I would be there for him, comfort and LISTEN. Sometimes people open up during times like this...maybe you can feel things out and slowly go from there. I know its hard, because I really want some of my family to believe.




I will pray for him.

 

[Sketcher]

A good friend of mine unexpectantly lost his dad in a motorcycle accident yesterday. My friend is 21 years old. He is not a believer. He knows I am a believer, and never argues or debates my faith. He has several times mentioned that he thinks its good I do believe. I have tried to bring him into church many times in the past and for the most part have been unsuccessful. I have kept him prayer on and off for several years.

Yesterday his dad was killed in a motorcycle accident. My question is, how do we as believers deal with non-believers when they have a major loss? The non-believers obviously don't believe what we know to be true, so reciting scriptures probably won't do much for them. He isn't even close to being in the right frame of mind to be talked to about God and church.

What to do?

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." - Romans 12:15

Be there for him. If there's anything you can do to help his family out, that speaks volumes. I remember when my grandmother died, friends of my cousin who are cooks catered the funeral, and IIRC it was all out of pocket for them. That was very touching. It need not be with the funeral specifically - if things are crazy at home and you can help out, especially in a sustainable way, do what you can.

I'm also reminded of the recent passing of my former Scoutmaster. He was a Christian, his grandson whom I was in Scouts with became a pastor. Another who was in Scouts with us is a Muslim, and paid his respects. After the funeral service itself ended and the mingling began, the Muslim who was in tears, simply came up and gave the pastor a hug. I felt bad for the Muslim since he likely was not sharing our comfort that this man was now in Heaven. But given where he's at, he handled it as best as one can handle it. This isn't a time for theological arguments. If his father dies without coming to know Jesus and if I find myself at the funeral or the visitation, I may do the same. Do I want them in Heaven? Yes. Do their chances of going there increase or decrease if I am rude about my beliefs at a sensitive time with them? They decrease, a lot. Rather, be watchful and prayerful for the unbelievers' hearts to open up to the Gospel, and for you to be able to communicate it in a loving way.

 

[DiscipleHeLovesToo]

A good friend of mine unexpectantly lost his dad in a motorcycle accident yesterday. My friend is 21 years old. He is not a believer. He knows I am a believer, and never argues or debates my faith. He has several times mentioned that he thinks its good I do believe. I have tried to bring him into church many times in the past and for the most part have been unsuccessful. I have kept him prayer on and off for several years.

Yesterday his dad was killed in a motorcycle accident. My question is, how do we as believers deal with non-believers when they have a major loss? The non-believers obviously don't believe what we know to be true, so reciting scriptures probably won't do much for them. He isn't even close to being in the right frame of mind to be talked to about God and church.

What to do?

in order for you to be a good friend to him, you need to tell him the Truth in a compassionate way; for example: 'i believe your Dad was a good man, and knowing how good my God is, i chose to believe that he came to know God as Savior before he passed away, even if it was in the last split second. God understands your grief, and wants to comfort you in this if you will allow Him to' - maybe not what you would want to say, but hopefully you get the idea...

 

[Greengardener]

At such a time as this, words fail. I'm very saddened for your friend. May he find comfort in such a difficult loss and may you find wisdom to react in the support of your friend and his family.

 

[Froggymom101]

Just be there for him. Be patient and sympathetic and available. Pray in the silence of your heart. We pray the Holy Spirit convicts. I will be praying too. thanks

 

[DLovingBrother]

Keep praying for him, this is the first thing to do. Pray that the ground be prepared and that God will send you to minister to him. It might even turn out that it is not you who will be able to really share the Gospel with him. Be a friend and model compassion but pray and wait for the proper time, but be mindful of God’s leading. People are different and they respond to different types of “reaching out.”