What do you say to a non-believer?

Question

Im 16 years old and I go to a christian church where there is a youth group for high school students. The last time I went, there was someone there that went to my school. We wern't friends but I had seen him around. The next day I sent him a message asking him how he liked it, and he said "well being of a completly different religion, i laughed." I'm not sure why he was there what his religion is or anything like that. We talk about things like that at church every once and a while, but I really have no idea what to say to him. I dont know what direction I should push the conversation in or what. Can you help me out?

I dont mean PUSH the conversation...i mean which direction should i move in. What do i talk about...?

the fact that he "laughed" gives me a pretty good idea that he doesnt believe in God...

well...i pretty much know that hes not a 'non-believer' but its not God that he worships, its satin...

Answer 1

simple.you just dont try to push him into your beliefs.

Answer 2

I never understood the phrase "non-believer". That sounds like a great way of excluding people. Not everyone is Christian, and some religions are more 'responsible' than others. Muslims don't attend church just on Christmas and Easter, you just do it, or you are bad. How about that? Being confirmed in a Lutheran church, I actually find some comfort in some Buddhist teachings that add guidance to my life. I would say religion should be like music. Open your mind to new ideas.

Answer 3

It is hard when we approach others who have little of no faith in Christ. You are alredy on the right path as to setting up some type of relationship with this guy. You speak on occasion, so one day ask him how he's doing, how's life for him. And if something is going wrong in his life you can then say well, when I went through that, "I prayed" or "I read this scripture"

You could also ask him if he'd like to do Bible study with you one on one. This way many are not afraid and they can come unto understanding with someone they are comfortable with.
Keep trying, your life as a Christian will continue to shine and will always have others saying "theres somthing about that girl, I want to know what it is" and you can give praises to God everytime.

I hope this helped-stay bold and you wont fail. You will bring others to Christ-just do your part and live by the Word.

Answer 4

What makes you think that simply belonging to a different church or religion makes him a non-believer? Do you know how many different Christian churches and worship styles there are? You might be Catholic, he might be Pentacostal. Quite a difference there. Both though, are Christian.

I wouldn't presume that he is a non-believer unless he told you so.

Then again, he might be a Buddhist, a Pagan, a Daoist or something else; still a believer, just a believer of something different than you. Come to think of it, he might see you as a non-believer. Why do you feel it necessary to change this person?

Answer 5

I disagree with your use of the term "non-believer". It's just a more polite way of calling somebody an "infidel". Your aquaintance is obviously not a non-believer, just somebody who believes differently than you. But if he's from a completely different religion, than what is he doing going to a Christian school and church? It could be that he has strict Christian parents and he disagrees with their religion, but they are forcing him to go and he doesn't have a choice. Whatever is going on, let him know if he wants to discuss it that you'd be willing to listen. But if he doesn't care to talk about his religion or yours, then respect his feelings and don't push the issue.

Answer 6

Maybe he was staying with a friend and went along? Maybe he was required for an assignment or other things he's involved in to see what some other people believe.

Why ask non believers if he wasn't one of us... He said different religion, not atheist.

For all you know he may be from a different branch of Christianity...different but still Christian.

Answer 7

The best approach is what I call "Lifestyle Evangelism". You continue to live your Christian morals and be the closest friend you can without mentioning God to him, but NEVER COMPROMISE GOD's WORD. Believe me, he knows where you stand, he's already seen you in church and you have talked to him about God already, so he knows. When you have build his trust in you, then you have EARNED the right to talk to him about God. I would suggest waiting until he confides in you about a problem. If you really EARN his trust by just being a good friend, he will confide in you.

You have to remember there are crazy people in this world who are angry with God for insane reasons, so the last thing that many of them want to talk about IS God. But if they trust YOU then they will HAVE to trust God.

Answer 8

I know you feel compulsed to say something to convince him of how you feel, but just try to leave the religion part out for now.
Just talk to him normally, ask him how he's doing. Let him ask his own questions and make up his own mind on his own time schedule.

If he doesn't agree, don't get desperate, just let him not agree. It's okay.

Answer 9

First ask God to give you Divine words. Do not force anything and just start talking. When we over think on what we want to say to people we tend to freak out. Ask if he wants to come back or just ask him about himself. Start some of relationship (not bf/gf) just relate to him.

Answer 10

I'm a non-believer. Come on, hes just like you except he doesnt believe in god. Just ovide the subject. You can talk about sports, school, anything, just not religion.

Answer 11

Why do you have to talk about religion? I mean there's everything else in the world you can talk about. Religion just one little piece.