How do I incourage someone with scripture? My cousin is 35, in jail and has been in trouble most of his life.

Question

I want him to know that God loves him no matter what. How do I express this through scripture?

Obviously I should have added..."No rude, inconsiderate or hateful comments please". I know these will not be found in scripture!

Answer 1

"Through the blood of his Son, we are set free from our sins. God forgives our failures because of his overflowing kindness" Ephesians 1:7

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" romans 5:8

"We're not ashamed to have this confidence, because God's love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." romans 5:5

Jesus said, "Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me" John 14:1

Answer 2

As a Bible reader, and an evangelical pastor, I say: Forget the Scripture! Be a Bible for your cousin. Show that you love him, and he might come to believe that God does too. If he has never heard what Scripture says, then after demonstrating God's love for him through your life, then you could perhaps draw his attention to verses like John 3:16 and Romans 5:8 ("when we were yet sinners..."), but chances are he has already heard quite a bit, in which case I would concentrate more, much more, on demonstration.,

Answer 3

If I were you, I would go to the Christian bookstore and find a nice card that lets him know you're thinking of him. The cards at the Christian bookstore usually incorporate scripture, but in an unobtrusive way (i.e. it's more subtle than saying, "Here, read this, it'll make you feel better!"). You can also include something else meaningful with scripture (a bookmark, a prayer card, etc).

Alternatively, if he would be open to this kind of thing, get him a small Bible or just a New Testament and highlight encouraging passages and stick bookmarks/prayer cards (either handmade with a noe of encouragement or store bought scripture ones) at those particular places.

That's a very thoughtful thing to want to do, and I pray the best for you, and for your cousin! :)

Answer 4

There is no quicker way to turn someone away than to start quoting scriptures. Sorry, be an example for him, tell him you love him and God does too, but don't push it!

Answer 5

I would say that it would be okay for you to write letters to your cousin -- and it you wanted to briefly include something from the scriptures inserted in with your own thoughts, that would be fine.

I would not overdo it though, as it would look like you were preaching to him from a safe distance.

Hope this helps you and your cousin.

Answer 6

Proverbs is a good book to start with. Chapter 2, 3, 4. Chapter 10 :27, 16:7. There are many more. I hope you find a way to encourage him and I pray that his mind is opened to wisdom and that he changes his ways. I applaud you for reaching out to him, God bless you.

Answer 7

How about Jeremiah chapter 29 verse 11.

That He can have a future through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Answer 8

If you can, get him a small n.t.
Better yet the whole bible.
Faith comes by hearing, hearing by the word of God.
Just sow and water. It is God that will provide the increase.

Answer 9

They have priests and ministers that work in prison's. Maybe his idea and your idea of salvation are not the same. He will come to God in his own time and understanding, as we all do.
Pray for him. That is a much bigger help than attempting to offer your version of salvation.

Answer 10

Given that, according to the US Deparment of Prisons, only 0.2% of US prisoners are atheists (1/50th the rate of the population), you should tell him to give up religion.

When you're responsible for your own actions and can't say, "I can be forgiven!", you tend not to commit crimes.

http://atheistempire.com/reference/stats/main.html
http://holysmoke.org/icr-pri.htm
http://www.adherents.com/misc/adh_prison.html
http://dilbertblog.typepad.com/the_dilbert_blog/2007/01/atheists_in_jai.html

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