Communicating Your Faith
Many times apologetics is not studied because an emphasis is placed on lifestyle evangelism or ministry-centered evangelism. These are fine and excellent forms of reaching the lost when done in a balanced and acceptable manner. The methods only matter to a certain extent in evangelism. Different methods can be applied to different situations.
But the reason Christianity loves these other forms more than apologetics, the thinking side of Christianity, is because we have messed up and not truly represented Christ in the past. At times, we’ve lived worse than the world we’re witnessing to! This means that we have lost our right to speak to the mental aspects of life. We’re reserved to helping those who are down and out. But what do we do when people need to know about God, not just receive from His servants?
Selected subjects: Logical, Rational, Method
Point to Ponder: The ends do not justify the means. The middle counts for a great deal.
Logical – Getting the message right
- Why is it imperative that we not only do the right things but say the right things?
Cults help people out, make them feel comfortable or fellowship. They meet unsaved peoples’ needs also. But their doctrine is terribly flawed and part of their deception is that they tell people what their itching ears want to hear. Christianity tells the truth in love. We don’t give you a false security or assurance. You’re bad and we let you know it. But we do have the one true Solution. What we say matters, and how we say it matters just as much.
- Why must we present a logical argument as well as meet the needs of the unsaved?
People are not just looking for a handout. They are looking for the answer to life. They need to live tomorrow too. “Give a man a fish and he eats for a day; teach a man how to fish and he eats for a lifetime.” Give a man a basket of food and his physical needs are temporarily met; give a man the gospel and his soul will live for eternity in heaven. There are people out there who aren’t Christians because they don’t the last two understand. They need someone to reach out to them and explain some things before someone can have a reason to believe.
- What are the core principles we need to evangelize about?
There is a God. Man is sinful and needs to be saved. Jesus is God who came and died to set man free from sin and give him a relationship with God. This includes eternal connection with God in the end. Man can’t fix himself. God has to do it but man needs to chose God.
- Which is more important, doing or saying?
Both! We must walk the walk and talk the talk.
Rational – Real meaning through explanation
- After making sure our message is right, and the correct and complete elements of faith have been said, how do we deal with rabbit trails and other problems?
Along with those who genuinely want to know the answers to some of the toughest questions of life, there are those who want to fight, not understand. These people have already chosen for themselves. They are not beyond God’s grace, and it is situational whether or not to pursue the argument. It depends upon the spirit of the person, whether they are simply confused or deceitfully malicious. Do not allow yourself to get cornered by such individuals unless you can claw your way out. Get someone who can deal with their questions if you can’t and watch and learn how that person solves the problem.
- What are some common problems people throw in our faces when we mention Jesus?
If a good God exists, why is there pain and suffering and evil in the world? What is the origin of evil? If God exists, why can’t I feel Him or touch Him or hear Him or see Him? I’m too far beyond God’s grace. He won’t accept me.
- Why do we have to answer them? How would you respond?
If we don’t answer them, who will? Think of David when Goliath was mocking God. He went out and dealt with Goliath. This is a good example of how to handle the malicious deceiver. But for those who have genuine questions, if we don’t answer them, some cult or other religion will. They cannot move closer to God if He doesn’t make sense, and we hold the key. We are their guide. We are responsible for them! Some of these questions would require a certain amount of time, such as the problem of evil.
- What characteristics of the Christian make it almost impossible to ignore our witness?
Honesty. Don’t lie to get the person to say a prayer and fill out a card. We want honest and true Christians. Genuineness. If we are not genuine, they’ll think we’re trying to sell them something. Intelligence. We have the truth, and it is logical and reasonable. Openness. They shouldn’t be afraid to ask us anything. Closed-mindedness not only shuts people off, it doesn’t solve their problem and it doesn’t bring souls into the kingdom. Authentic. The truth we have to share is real. We must be real people meeting and speaking to real people. We must be on their level, not act like we’ve got it all figured out or that we’re beyond them.
Method – There are different ways to skin a cat
- Which method is the best one to use?
Trick question. Method is different in different situations. Sometimes a mixture of methods provides the best environment for drawing people to God. If one method fails, try another. Don’t stick to just one and don’t give up if you don’t get it right the first time.
- Can we do without apologetics or without helps ministries?
Neither. People must understand what they are accepting and joining, but Christ never turned anyone down and neither should we. Why can’t we do both?
- What types of problems do we as Christians have to overcome to communicate with an unsaved person. Who caused these hurtles in our way?
We have a history of failure behind us. This is only one of the barriers to good evangelism. Demonic forces can also be a factor. But we have power over these, if we know they’ bill of three re there. The idea that because we’re right, we become too forceful or too tactless. Noses in the air, even prideful! Some of these are past saints’ faults and some are simply the spiritual climate. But we must wait on God to punch through all that so that we have an opportunity to share Christ.
- What are some important practical things to remember when witnessing with anyone about Christ?
Be humble and kind. Don’t treat people like they are stupid or unimportant. No matter what we think of people, they are important to God.
Keep your anger in check. This is a scriptural mandate. It is probably one of the hardest things we will be able to do. But it goes a long way in the “negotiations.” Remember we’re representing Christ and Christ only got angry with religious people. (Note: This is not a license).
Pray before and after witnessing. God must do the work, we are just the vessels. Once we’ ve done our part, God does His!
You are God’ s choice for the person you’ re witnessing to. This is your job, your mission. God doesn’t tell us to do something without giving us everything we need to do it.
Be patient. People take time to chose and commit to things. This is the biggest decision in their life. They will need a lot of your time and a lot of time in general. Be there for them!
