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Post by stormyknight on Jan 4, 2022 14:33:22 GMT -6
Time is short. If given the opportunity to tell someone that Jesus, our Savior, is moments away, whether they are Christian(mainstream) or not, how would you explain the gospel in as few words as possible and be convincing. Or at least make the person(s) stop and consider your point?
The reason I ask is that I'm not good on my feet when it comes to speaking. My posts here are usually typed and retyped and then edited, etc. I have to think it all out and I know I still don't feel I come across right.
If someone was to complain about the state of the world today, I have an incredible urge to say something but I don't know how to start. I've prayed about this many times, but still I stay silent. I know everyone has their gifts and perhaps it's not mine to speak(which is ok with introverted me). I believe, though, that the day will come when I do need to or have to speak and I know God promised to give us the words we need, but that doesn't mean I can't educate myself thus, right?
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Post by fitz on Jan 4, 2022 16:22:03 GMT -6
I think one of the mistakes most Christians make is when this situation arises, they start preaching the gospel + hell, damnation, etc. I know we are supposed to just give the gospel and let the chips fall where they may, and though the truth is spoken, I see this sledgehammer approach as ineffective. It just turns people off and convinces them that we are all a bunch of nuts.
I much prefer to develop a friendship. Find moments with this person to just discuss the events of the day and start speaking the Word to them in plain English. They won't even know you are speaking the Word...but it's a very powerful way to begin opening them up. Introduce the gospel as the Spirit leads you, in your own words, but have some scripture to back it up. (i.e. 1st Cor. 15: 1-4, etc.)
Honestly, I've never felt the need to rehearse a monologue, but rather just let the Spirit speak for me. Not everyone you meet is the same, so one size does not fit all. But the Holy Spirit knows exactly how each person will receive the message. The best thing to easily communicate is what Jesus has done in your life. Just be a witness and testify. That is tangible.
My .02
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Post by mike on Jan 5, 2022 7:03:51 GMT -6
Amen fitz! God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth. We ought to hear what people have to say, and relate back to the Word in ways they can understand. stormyknight - when others say the world is going crazy, my "go to" is usually something like "I dont make the rules, I try to follow them the greatest being these 2" Matt 22:37-39. |
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Post by stormyknight on Jan 5, 2022 13:12:44 GMT -6
Honestly, I've never felt the need to rehearse a monologue, but rather just let the Spirit speak for me. Not everyone you meet is the same, so one size does not fit all. But the Holy Spirit knows exactly how each person will receive the message. The best thing to easily communicate is what Jesus has done in your life. Just be a witness and testify. That is tangible. This is how I understand it. But I've only had my kids or a couple of my siblings talk to me about my belief. I've been in situations where I could have interjected my beliefs to people, but I wasn't initially asked, if you know what I mean. The moment passes and it's like I missed the opportunity. I've asked God if I was supposed to speak up or am I being to fearful or what?? Here is an actual example that happened to me when the COVID virus broke out: The setting was our warehouse office here at work, the crew, supervisor, and myself were just starting the day, talking about the news. One of the crew states that his aunt posted on FB that, in light of the pandemic, she was "Rapture Ready". His question was "what does that even mean? How can you be 'rapture ready'?". I turned to answer, but before I could, one of the linemen and our supervisor, both Catholics, blurted out, "confess your sins!". I hesitated and then the conversation took off in another direction entirely. Opportunity lost. I've had similar experiences and they turn before I can say anything. I've taken that as it's not my gift(?) to witness to the general population. I don't know. I do know I'm fairly good at researching and putting the information together. I also know that more is expected of the teacher than of the student. Luke 12:48, Ezekiel 33:6 |
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Post by mike on Jan 5, 2022 15:03:52 GMT -6
stormyknight I think we all can relate as it can be uncomfortable for us to express our faith and fear being rejected or ridiculed. Not knowing the people or the situation I can make a general statement about the warehouse situation. Could you go back to the same person later in the day and say "the question you asked about being "Rapture Ready" - I can help you understand that better. Again on a personal note - at my neighbors holiday party a few weeks ago and one of his friends was talking about the craziness of the world and how nothing makes sense. I chimed in with things like "the jab isnt working but they keep saying its 'safe & effective' how much crazier can people get? OR 'lets follow the science' - except for when it comes gender" then all science is out the window. This led me to say "listen the world is going nuts. Ive been studying the bible for a long time now and I see the same pattern of how people behave over time.... We have to be ready to be confronted about difficult topics when they present themselves. We will possibly miss some of those, Lord knows there are times I wish I open my mouth. Other times are not the right times even though they seem to be the right time. We have to trust Him to fill our mouths with the right words, and trust if we say too much or the wrong thing the hearer will forget, but we leave to His Almighty power to handle. 
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Post by mike on Jan 5, 2022 16:38:58 GMT -6
Stormy - ever wonder about what part of the body you most resemble?
1 Cor 13
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Post by yardstick on Jan 5, 2022 18:23:52 GMT -6
Several methods. It depends on how the conversation goes.
I usually like to direct the conversation into one of two ways:
"Are you a good person" and
"How do you know you have done enough"
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Post by mike on Jan 6, 2022 7:14:40 GMT -6
Several methods. It depends on how the conversation goes. I usually like to direct the conversation into one of two ways: "Are you a good person" and "How do you know you have done enough" I cant tell you how much I despise this statement when I hear people say it. We use our own guidelines and standards to declare our 'goodness' - hogwash! No mistake Stick, its a good discussion piece and takes a conversation right to the heart of the matter Psalm 14:The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.
Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: |
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Post by stormyknight on Jan 6, 2022 10:20:52 GMT -6
"How do you know you have done enough" I've asked this question of myself soooo many times. My thought is, "define 'enough'. I know that we can never do enough. We don't possess that kind of power. Even to think one could, it seems to me, would be denying what our Lord Jesus has done for us. mike, as far as what part of the body I most resemble, I always thought of myself as the little toe, not too important and prone to being whacked against the furniture! lol Seriously, in the body of the Church, I've felt like I was more of a Bob Cratchit character. I do my job the best I can, I go home to a loving family. I try to live and be a good example. One conversation that I've mulled over in my mind that has never happened, is for someone to ask me if I'm a Christian, knowing that what they mean is mainstream, what the world knows to be, Christian. My response in my mind is always, "I'm a follower of Jesus Christ, if that's what you mean." I expect to be met with a blank stare, like "what is that supposed to mean?" But I don't want to have to explain the difference between the world's Christianity and what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ, as if I'm somehow better than the 2+ billion Christians in the world. And maybe that's why I haven't had that conversation. I expect the world to be confrontational and I'm one that doesn't like confrontation. I guess I'm like the possessed boy's father in Mark 9:17-24 "I believe, help my unbelief!" |
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Post by mike on Jan 6, 2022 11:29:22 GMT -6
stormyknight - I hope you understood why I asked that. Not that I know where I fit in the body, but we are all parts, but not all hands (doing work), legs (lifting/carrying), etc. So youre not a mouth and thats okay. Not to say you shouldnt be speaking about your faith, but youre also not on street corners, nor does it sound like you should be. Some people will watch/notice how you react in a given situation and if its different than the way the world reacts, they may ask...Probably nothing you havent heard or thought about BUT worth mentioning brother. Theres some good tips in the thread, maybe others will have differing ideas too!
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Post by stormyknight on Jan 6, 2022 13:41:41 GMT -6
oh, yes, I get you mike ,. I know God knows better where we fit, but if I had a choice in the matter, I would put myself in the position of helping those who are new to the path, but have made the initial commitment and need help looking for stuff. (When the crew here gets to talking and asks a question about something, I'm usually in the background Googling it so as to be quick with the answer.) What you said about there being some good tips here, I thoroughly agree. That is kinda why I started it, but not just for me as I know can't be the only one who feels this way. I hope there are others who read this and want to know the basics of what to do when confronted with our beliefs because they are different than mainstream Christian beliefs. I hope it convinces guests to either join as members here or on similar websites. If that's where I fit, then great! I'm so glad to know I'm helping someone. |
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Post by yardstick on Jan 6, 2022 23:30:24 GMT -6
Several methods. It depends on how the conversation goes. I usually like to direct the conversation into one of two ways: "Are you a good person" and "How do you know you have done enough" I cant tell you how much I despise this statement when I hear people say it. We use our own guidelines and standards to declare our 'goodness' - hogwash! No mistake Stick, its a good discussion piece and takes a conversation right to the heart of the matter Psalm 14:The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.
Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:'good person's do not go to Heaven. Only sinners go there. |
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Post by yardstick on Jan 6, 2022 23:32:31 GMT -6
"How do you know you have done enough" I've asked this question of myself soooo many times. My thought is, "define 'enough'. I know that we can never do enough. We don't possess that kind of power. Even to think one could, it seems to me, would be denying what our Lord Jesus has done for us. mike , as far as what part of the body I most resemble, I always thought of myself as the little toe, not too important and prone to being whacked against the furniture! lol Seriously, in the body of the Church, I've felt like I was more of a Bob Cratchit character. I do my job the best I can, I go home to a loving family. I try to live and be a good example. One conversation that I've mulled over in my mind that has never happened, is for someone to ask me if I'm a Christian, knowing that what they mean is mainstream, what the world knows to be, Christian. My response in my mind is always, "I'm a follower of Jesus Christ, if that's what you mean." I expect to be met with a blank stare, like "what is that supposed to mean?" But I don't want to have to explain the difference between the world's Christianity and what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ, as if I'm somehow better than the 2+ billion Christians in the world. And maybe that's why I haven't had that conversation. I expect the world to be confrontational and I'm one that doesn't like confrontation. I guess I'm like the possessed boy's father in Mark 9:17-24 "I believe, help my unbelief!" Most people reply with something along the lines of "I dont". My reply is: I do. Because I did nothing. Jesus did everything. He said what he did is enough. I believe him. |
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