What are some ways to preach the word of God to someone?

Question

I met someone that I care deeply for but he does not have faith and does not really believe in God. I know it is my point to bring the word to him I just have a hard time finding ways to. Please help me.

Answer 1

I can't believe no one has suggested this, but did you ever think of finding a straight forward church that clearly distinguishes between Law (the Bad News) & Gospel (the Good News) & inviting him to it?

Most LCMS Lutheran churches have this teaching. Check one out: www.lcms.org >Directories >Congregations.

***ADDED***

Want to know more about the importance of presenting distinct Law & Gospel? Here's a summary from Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation:

84. Where alone does God offer the forgiveness of sins? God offers the forgiveness of sins only in the Gospel, the good news that we are freed from the guilt, the punishment, and the power of sin, and are saved eternally because of Christ's keeping the Law and His suffering and death for us. (John 3:16; Romans 1:16; Romans 10:4; Galations 3:13; Colossians 1:13-14).

85. What is the difference between the Law and the Gospel?
(A) The Law teaces what we are to do & not to do; the Gospel teaches what God has done, and still does, for our salvation.
(B) The Law shows us our sin and the wrath of God; the Gospel shows us our Savior and the grace of God.
(C) The Law must be proclaimed to all people, but especially to impenitent sinners; the Gospel must be proclaimed to sinners who are troubled in their minds because of their sins.

In other words, somehow the Holy Spirit uses His Word to convict someone of their sin. You may or may not be a part of this process. Sometimes the best tactic is to teach about God's Law (Ten Commandmants through your actions as well as your words), wait & if he comes to you troubled with his sin, present the Gospel.

Also take a look at the "Ecumenical or Universal Creeds" under "Lutheran Confessions" under "Belief & Practice" online at www.lcms.org as well. Two of the best outlines for witnessing are the Apostles' Creed & the Nicene Creed.

Answer 2

In presenting the gospel to an inquirer, it must be remembered that it is the Holy Spirit who draws men to an earnest desire to hear the gospel. Accordingly, the gospel is not to be presented after the manner of modern evangelicals. The central object of the gospel is Christ - not man. It is not to be preceded by platform entertainment, singers, performers, movies, or any other kind of worldly enticement. Nor is it accompanied by the promise of coffee and doughnuts; a meaningful life; or any of the other prevalent fopperies employed by feel-good, people-pleasing evangelicalism, in order to entice the minds of men.

The gospel is not an offer, a proposal, or a ticket out of hell. It does not matter whether the hearer likes it, or despises it ... all that matters is that it is presented entirely, that is to say, complete with its call for holiness in the life [“and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord”, Hebrews 12:14]

The apostles did not “offer” Christ, they proclaimed him. The proclamation of the gospel involves laying out the facts before an inquirer. Here there are no subtle promises or perceived benefits which might give the inquirer an easier life. Indeed, in relinquishing the love and pursuit of the world, he should be informed that he will assuredly lose his old friends, and be despised by most men he meets:

the ungodly will tell him that he is “no fun” ...
the modern “Christian” will tell him that he is “no fun” ...
And both will make him aware that they find it uncomfortable to be around him.

Presentation of the gospel has one great end: to make the sinner aware that the depths of his depravity have made it impossible that God can ever find favour with him; and that reconciliation with a holy God is possible only through repentance from sin, and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ alone.

In simple, direct terms: a novice has no business attempting to do anything ... but learn themselves! This is the only way in which error and false doctrine will be prevented. In this way, if someone should happen to approach him, he can render an answer carefully, and with quick, silent prayer, for help from the Holy Spirit. Better yet, he can answer questions at the time, as best he can; but arrange to meet again with his enquirer the following day, which will give him time to study and prepare, having some idea of the nature of conversation that will be undertaken.

Did Jesus choose his disciples and promptly send them forthwith to preach to the Jews, and then the Gentiles? Certainly NOT! Indeed, the gospels illustrate the many errors and confusions inherent in the disciples’ own thinking, while they were still with the Lord Jesus. And what, then, is the audacious presumption with which modern people think themselves superior to the apostles themselves?!!!

Many there are in the world, who have had some form of occasion to see seemingly empty-headed masses of pew bound people, swaying arms above heads, to the latest, “Christian” feel-good chorus; while - eyes drooping or half closed in a seeming apparent stupor - an ecstatic expression is plastered onto the face which croons, “I worship yoooouuuu ...”

Know what you are up against: Christianity has become a joke to intelligent people, over the last thirty years.

The lack of reality is apparent to anyone of serious disposition – whether godly or ungodly. And this is the popular impression, amongst the generality of people at the end of the twentieth century, of anyone who declares that they are “a Christian”.

The first and greatest means of presenting the gospel amongst the ungodly, is the bearing and general demeanour of the Christian himself. A serious mind and sober lifestyle are the first things that are most evident to the people with which one comes into contact on a daily basis. With regard to this, it is not at all infrequent, that such a godly person will be approached with the query, “Why are you so different?”

Fluffy sentiment and promises of a better life, will never - never - bring about serious, heart-rending repentance that is required for true salvation. Lead by example.

Let him ask you, Why, are you so different?
Then tell him.

Yours with kind regards,

Philip Livingstone
www.theforgottenbible.org

Answer 3

Please don't preach it - but rather, live it. Be an example of Christ's love and acceptance and ask God to provide you the opportunity to say what God would have you to say to this person when God wants you to say it. So often, people get it into their heads that they need to witness to people. That's all well and good, but if a person goes into this without praying sincerely for God to give them a spirit of humility first, then often times a person's well-intentioned witnessing can turn a person away from God rather than to Him. When I am around others who I know are not Christians, I don't preach at them. That would come off as arrogant and self-righteous to them. Rather, I am not ashamed of my Christianity and I might say something that lets the person know I am a Christian. Then, I let my actions speak instead of my words, and I speak up when the opportunity presents itself.

I once worked with a warlock. He was a former Mormon high priest who became a wiccan. We had very interesting conversations. He knew I was a Christian and I knew he was a warlock. We treated each other with respect and freely talked about our beliefs. I always prayed for God to give me the right words to say. I no longer work with this man and have since moved back to my home state, so I don't see him anymore. I don't know the outcome of our many conversations, but I do hope and pray that somehow a seed of thought was planted in this man and that God will use that to bring him back to God. Please just be an example of Christ's love to this person. Don't preach at him. Ask God to guide you with how to act or what to say and then just relax and be yourself. Trust God. You can't open a person's heart. Only God can prepare someone's heart to hear about God. Allow God to work on the person's heart and wait for God to prompt your own heart to speak when the time is right. Trust me, it will happen and you will do fine as long as you are keeping God involved here and not trying to run the show yourself.

Answer 4

Just be sure to not be too forceful with it, because you'll be met by resistance. Use examples from your own life, and how your life has changed since God came into your life. If you live your life by God's word, your friend will see what a difference it makes. A good book to study is "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis, or go to the site godandscience.org. Logic is the best way to open someone's mind to God.

Answer 5

Follow the command to preach and teach the good wpord in the entire inhabited earth and then the end will come.

Answer 6

"pontificate the gospel in any respect circumstances, and if needed, use words" ~ St Francis of Assisi this is been reported already, however the excellent thank you to evangelise is to stay. this is how i grow to be switched over. while i grow to be 19 years previous I met a pair of Christians and how they lived grow to be completely diverse to individuals I knew. i wanted to understand what made them diverse, and so I asked them. They advised me it grow to be their way of exhibiting God's like to others. shortly after that, I made the determination that i wanted in on that.

Answer 7

Be a good listener. Be his friend. Show him by example that people who believe are good people who help others. The minute you start preaching is the minute he leaves, mentally if not physically. If what you have is so great, he will see it by example. No one wants to be 'sold' on anything.

Answer 8

Leave your friend alone. Is your God so ineffectual that he has trouble communicating with mere human beings? When the time is right for your friend to be aware of God, he will be. It may not take the same form as what YOU believe, but it's not your call to make - it's God's.

Answer 9

ight girl what you need to do is sit down with him and be like blah blah explain that god died and what not and you say if you don't believe wait and he will come in your dreams and if that doesn't work then i guess he just doesn't believe you can't make someone believe my best friend. he believes in god so much knows so much. he tries to tell me to believe its hard to believe that their is something out there and we weren't just put on this earth for no reason.

Answer 10

Just live out your beliefs. Be a good, caring person. Don't be pretentious. Don't act like you're better than him just because you believe in God and he doesn't.