I have a good friend who is pretty sure of His nonexistance, and there was an excellent oppurtunity and hopefully will be again tomorrow to talk about this sort of thing. I think I made him defensive today.
Does anyone know any way to reach out without scaring them away? Like a technique... I heard ask them what they believe happens after death, and after that, tell them about God... er... I don't know. Please help!
Please, i don't want to hear from you if you're simply responding with an anti-Christian comment. (I do love you anyway though!)
2006-11-01 15:06:11 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Things you must know before you witness. And keep in your head.
!. Christ died for the person, not you.
2. God is Love, he is not working in the spirit of Fear, but peace and sound mind. (So no hell stuff)
3. Your the walking testimony, how you talk, act, and re act, will be your light.
4. Its, CHRIST IN YOU. So keep your thoughts out of it.
Use the Bible verses. John 3:16...
Let the bible be your voice. It has more power then your own.
5. Pray, and be in prayer, listen, for Gods voice in you telling you what to say, when the time is right.
6. God did not jump down your heart, you put him there in your time. Everyone has a time, not our time.
7. Judgment belongs to God. And him alone.
8. If you don't know the answer, write it down, look it up in the Bible. or call someone, but get back with the right answer.
9. Don't mess it up or the blood is on your hands.
10. Smile, SMILE, SMILE,
2006-11-01 15:16:44 · answer #1 · answered by Faith Walker 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless your someone that is very sure of the Bible and you can debate very well. I would tread very lightly. Let God lead the way. God wants us to show other people the way to Him through the way we live and serve Him. If God wants you to work with this person He will lead the way and give you the right words to say. Some people are not ready to listen and it will just sound pushy if we try. Just listen to your friend and if he asks give him your experiences as a Christian. Don't tell him what he should or should not do. Pray for him and ask God to open his heart. When the time comes, you'll know. My husband doesn't believe in God and it kills me, but I just pray for him and ask God to send someone to lead my husband to Him if it's not supposed to be me. I try to live a Christian life and let him see what God does for us. Good luck and God bless.
2006-11-01 23:29:48 · answer #2 · answered by Phoebe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Open your heart and listen very carefully to this. The best way to "witness" to someone is to live your life as a beacon of truth and Light. If your way is seen by others as laudable, others will seek you out and ask how you achieved such serenity and grace. When they ask, and only when they ask, are they ready to listen.
If you start trying to sell them on your Path, they will close their ears. Further, you will make it harder for them to listen to anyone else about Christ or a Christian life. People have to hunger for it. If you push, they walk away.
You may want to occasionally leave a Jack Chick tract around. But do not make it obvious. People run away from salesmen. Let them know you are there (which it seems you already have done) but do not push.
2006-11-01 23:14:13 · answer #3 · answered by NeoArt 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That's funny, in my experience, it's the religious people who end up being defensive. Maybe your friend isn't all that secure in his non-belief.
Personally, I would just ignore someone who came up to me and starting asking about life after death - or especially that new Scientology technique - what are your sins? Just ask them what they believe in and why. Don't try to preach, and Bible verses usually don't help, since non-believers put no stock in the Bible. And definitely don't use Chick tracts.
Edit: I found the 'way of the master' technique to be incredibly condescending, and I would immediatly dismiss anyone who tried to use that crap on me. I want to punch Todd Friel in the face.
2006-11-01 23:10:48 · answer #4 · answered by eri 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all, show them how you, as a christian, are a loving person even without speaking of God. It's something i have been working on for a long time. If people have a lot of respect for you before they know you are a christian, they are more apt to listen to your words. Also, make sure to not use "you" statements, such as "you should believe this" tell them how you feel about God and how his word has affected your life. for someone who really struggles with faith, make sure to not over do it. and finally pray. pray for the person you wish to grace with God's word and for God's guidance in helping you. Best of luck.
2006-11-01 23:15:47 · answer #5 · answered by Here It Is 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the best way to be a witness is to live your life well. I think if someone sees the light of God through you they will want to know more about it. Pushing it on people is usually not effective. Even if you don't seem to have an effect, you have planted a seed that could someday grow.
2006-11-01 23:10:43 · answer #6 · answered by apuleuis 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can't be pushy, they will turn away fast. When talking to someone of little or no faith, you have to be casual.You cannot seam like you are preaching.When it looks like they are getting tired or uncomfortable, you need to stop.Do not quote scripture, that is a definite turn off. If they are into the conversation then sure go to the bible.GOD bless
2006-11-01 23:19:42 · answer #7 · answered by Piper 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How about explaining to them how you crossed the hurdle of thinking God was a fantasy to thinking of God as a reality. Since atheists don't think God is real you might try explaining what leads you to believe God is real, preferably without using words like "faith" or "feelings" - stick to facts.
2006-11-01 23:14:33 · answer #8 · answered by catalamity 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You must have a strong, personal testimony of the divinity of Jesus Christ and of His Atonement before you can adequately witness to others.
Through much prayer, fasting, and constant study of the scriptures, your testimony can come, but only through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Begin now to seek that guidance.
2006-11-01 23:11:24 · answer #9 · answered by Guitarpicker 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am a christian and personally feel as though each of us finds something to believe in. As long as you are a good, genuine person, your god will treat you accordingly. Don't be pushy. you wouldn't want him to push his non-existence over on you, huh?
2006-11-01 23:09:45 · answer #10 · answered by Sara 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋