The problem is my friend dosen't believe in the Bible or in church but in GOD. What is there for me to do? How can I get her to come to my church? What can I tell her to believe in the Bible? She feels as though the Bible is a book that was made by a person that was not in the time of everything that occured.
2007-12-15 13:35:10 · 32 answers · asked by marissa 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Just continue to pray for her and to set the example, God will do the rest, when she is reading God will touch her heart and she will go. Be patient and keep on praying, I have some friends I have been praying for now for over ten years, I will never give up. Neither should you. God Bless!!!
2007-12-15 13:45:37 · answer #1 · answered by victor 7707 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I have had good experience with the ALPHA program. it's a non-denominational look at christianity where you have a free supper and watch a video and break into small groups for discussion where no question is too dumb or hostile. They look at many different topics like
Christianity: Boring, Untrue, and Irrelevant?
Who is Jesus?
Why did Jesus Die?
How can I be sure of my faith?
why and how to I pray
Why and how should I read the bible
How does God guide us
Who is the Holy Spirit
What does the holy spirit do
How can I be filled with the holy spirit
how can I resist evil
Why and how should I tell others
Does god heal today
What about the church
How can I make the most of the rest of my life
if memory serves right, it's a 12 or 13 week course and you meet one night a week.
http://www.alphacanada.org/
The above site is the Canadian one but it originated in England by Nicky Gumbel. I've gone many times and get more out of it each time and many of the people in my small group have never been to church before and it's a good discussion.
so perhaps if there is one running in your area you could go and invite your friend to come to the opening banquet with you. the important thing is to not be upset if they decide not to come back after the first night......just pray for them.
2007-12-15 13:46:32 · answer #2 · answered by bastian915 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The first christians had neither the bible, nor churches. Those are later additions and not truly necessary to have true faith. Instead, they are a means of social gathering and in some cases, social control.
There is absolutely no proof that the Bible is anything other than a collection of myths and stories to explain why certain things are the way they are, according to the writers of the time. The Bible is full of errors, typos (reed sea...), and additions ('you who are without sin...' - added much later). It is not a perfect book, so one cannot look to it to be such.
Also, some people simply feel no connection to God while in a building. Some feel a spiritual connection instead out in forests, or while doing physical activities, or reading, etc.
It is wrong of you to want to impose your way of having a spiritual connection upon your friend. You would not like it if someone tried to tell you to change the way that feels right for you. Let her be, and be happy for her that she is on a spiritually rewarding path and that her connection to God is strong.
2007-12-15 13:44:42 · answer #3 · answered by shiariryu 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First the bible wasn't written while Jesus was alive. I'm trying to find a link, but I think most of the bible was written around 90-150 A. D.
Second, a friend is a friend and isn't judgmental. Support your friend. Going to church doesn't make you a good person. Your actions make you a good person.
REPLY
Okay I was slightly off...50 to 95 AD. So about 17 - 63 years after JC.
2007-12-15 13:49:18 · answer #4 · answered by theFo0t 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Remember Jesus' commandments in the NT.
Love your neighbor as yourself and Love your God with all your Heart, your soul and your mind.
Here is an old saying from High School Youth Group.
Let Go and Let God.
I know you are excited to share and probably wish she had the same excitement but everyone is different and the way I see it is that God gives 3 answers when you pray. Yes, No and Wait.
I remember a song long ago from GArth Brooks called
Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers. It's true too.
God knows her heart and her thoughts before she does and if he wants her to come around more than she is, he will make it happen. Trust in God
2007-12-15 13:51:15 · answer #5 · answered by Amanda M 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
She's smart. You are placing too much importance in the Church and in the Bible. I'm not telling you that they are false, but there is more to Christianity than them, namely behavior. Do you think trying to control your friend is a loving thing to do? a respectful thing? a productive thing? If anything, words and actions will only push her away from your ideals. Your pushing and prodding may influence her to give up belief in God entirely. Do you really want that?
2007-12-15 13:49:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The best thing for you to do in this case is to back off and not pressure her or continuously "harrass" her about it.
All the Bible obligates you to do is to "plant the seed of the gospel" her life (tell her)... Water it "with love" (show compassion and concern, and be prepared for any signs she has recieved your message)... Then allow the Holy Spirit as the "sunshine to cause the word to grow" (conviction and revelation)... and pray for her.
You have to understand that you, nor I, nor your Pastor or anyone else can save her soul... Only she can do that.
Remain her friend living clean and holy as possible, as an example revealing what God has done in your life and the difference it has made...
Sooner or later she should come around, if not... then continue to pray and allow God to work on her in His time, not yours. She has to make this choice for herself... at this point, you have done all that God has expected of you.
2007-12-15 13:55:02 · answer #7 · answered by Servant Leader 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, its good that you believe in God, and believe strongly in your faith, but the reality is, you can't force someone to go to church, just like you can't force someone to have faith. Faith comes from your heart, and when and if your friend is ready she will go to church. You can tell her all you want but in the end it is her choice to believe what she wants. If you try to force her you might lose her as a friend.
2007-12-15 13:52:54 · answer #8 · answered by Macy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't force the issue but instead live what the Bible preaches through your life that it may inspire her to read it.
2007-12-15 13:39:33 · answer #9 · answered by Equinox 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Hhmm...then you friend doesn't truly believe in God,but an idolised version of Him.
Help your friend to understand that God really did inspire men to write the Bible.Never lose your temper and remember to pray,asking God for help everytime you are about to talk to her.
God bless ya.
2007-12-15 13:45:10 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋