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| Questions of faith... |
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I was challenged tonight by a comment to my xanga blog... another poster commented with this message (I have edited out some of the more personal info):
Hey. It seems you are quite comfortable in your relationship with God and I was wondering if you could maybe help me out a little. I keep struggling with this whole religion/prayer/having faith thing... I read ur profile and I just HAVE to ask you... with everything that you went thru, how is it that you came out to/thru God? I mean, I know that it was a struggle coming out of and moving on from all the things in your life... But in the end how did you decide that God cared about you? That he was there for you? Don't you ever feel like... "where was he when all those HORRIBLE things happened in the first place"? I mean no harm by asking that question, but I mean honestly, in my life I always feel like I'm alone. Like he's let my life lead this path that I can't even handle! And I think I'm angry about that. I'm angry cuz I prayed for so many years and my prayers were never answered... IDK... and yet I keep coming back to the idea that I jus need to pray... maybe because I know that nothing here on earth can help me... I need help from something more powerful..... Anyway... if u could jus tell me how you came into ur relationship with God, and if you ever doubted, then what made you go back to him... I'd really appreciate it. thanx 4ur time.
It's the first time in a long time I've had to really think about how I came to this place in my walk with God. She was so direct in her questions... how do you minister to someone in a way that speaks from the heart without "preaching"? Recent insight has been that, when ministering to someone who is questioning, we should not OVER-respond... as in, we should probably not go on and on answering a question like this, and the rule of thumb is: if they ask a one-sentence question, we should be prepared to answer clearly and concisely in a one-sentence (or so) response. I tried to keep my response clear and concise without sounding mechanical or short. I did share some of my own personal faith struggles, and 2 defining moments in my faith. I left it open for her to ask more questions if she'd like and an affirmation that I am praying for her and would love to talk with her more.
So back to my original question: How do you minister to someone who is seeking to know more? How do you do that without preaching or turning someone off? Would you be prepared right now if someone asked you on-the-spot to talk about your faith and how you came into relationship with Christ? How you know God is real and present? |
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| this here is a powerful blog. I ain't got a whole lot of time to type a response cause I'm gettin ready for church. But I think the first thang to do when presented questions like this is to stop and pray for the Holy Spirit to give you the words. I don't reckon there is any one perfect thang to say, or any one response that will convice a person. God has to do the convincing in thier hearts. I liked your rule of thumb about not over-responding, I thank that is good adivce. Another thang I'll add is that its easy to talk over a person's head with a bunch of church-lingo too. We gotta be careful to keep it on a level where they can comprehend what we're tryin to say. |
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We all would like to know how to witness. There have been countless books, conferences, sermons on this topic. And yet.....
Ever notice how Jesus ministered?
To Nicodemus he said, "You must be born again."
To the Samaritan woman at the well he said, "I will give you water and you will never thirst again."
To the woman caught in adultery, "Go, and sin no more."
Jesus did not bring people where they needed to be and minister to them. He ministered to people where they were.
I've learned techniques and strategies. And I have learned people. Most people need to be heard not talked to. Of course, speaking to a counselor this is no great revelation to you. I've also learned that my words are not nearly as important as I once thought. I have failed miserably at times and GOD has touched. And there have been times when I gave a "perfect witness" and the seeds bounced off a heart like concrete.
In the end, we do our best but it is between GOD and the listener what happens next. One soweth, another reapeth, but GOD giveth the increase.
.....peace..... |
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Excellent blog!
While reading this I was immediately brought to this passage:
1 Peter 3:15-17
Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!
When given the opportunity, or even an apparent opportunity, I always try to speak to others about my relationship with the Lord and not about doctrine. I tell them how after chasing down every other sort of earthly satisfaction, the only thing that is real and lasting and fulfilling, is to have the Lord speak even one Word to your heart. when that happens it's like all else becomes irrelevant. He spoke Proverbs 3:5-6 straight to my heart while I was sitting on a concrete floor in a homeless shelter on Christmas Eve 2004. After chasing down every dream and fulfilling every desire of the flesh, the "Michael Plan" had landed me there, the "Michael Plan" had failed. Lost, confused, broken and empty.
But then He spoke to me. Those words touched a part of my being I never knew existed. Those Words were in fact the very form of love I had been chasing my entire life. From that moment on, I have never been the same. It was the beginning of the greatest relationship known to man. The relationship between the created and his creator! Now the fruit that is in my life, and the incredible life change, becomes the very tool that He uses to speak through me to others. I praise your Holy name Father!
Thanks for the great topic.
Peace,
Michael
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| Thanks so much guys! I think you're all RIGHT-ON. Keep the christianese to a minimum, pray for words, talk more about relationship instead of doctrine, talk about personal experiences with God, go to THEM rather than expecting them to come to you, and LISTEN - both to the person asking, and to the Holy Spirit. Good stuff! (I thought of that same verse Michael... this topic has been prompted by several events in my life lately, one of which was a workshop at my church this past Wednesday - and this verse was brought up. This is the 3rd time this week that verse has been referenced... I think God's trying to say something!!) |
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Gene |
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April 08, 2008 at 8:27pm |
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Speaking of keeping the Christianese to a minimum try this sometime:
In a small get together, read a section of text from the Bible, one verse for each person. then have them repeat it back in paraphrase using just one sentence. I did that once with our church council. They struggled with it. Once we finished I asked how they were going to talk to anyone about God and Jesus using today's language if they can't even work on one small section of the Bible.
And for the person who is asking all those questions, ask a few back - about what makes them ask those things. Maybe the best thing that you can do is just listen and be a sympathetic ear. be a friend. |
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Good point Gene. It''s amazing when looking at the life of Jesus how many times he answered a question with a question.
I have a book entitled "Questioning Evangelism" by Randy Newman
The title is actually a play on words. He is not questioning whether we should evangelize, rather he teaches on how to use questions as a means of evangelizing.
It would be interesting to compile a list of each time Jesus answered a question with a question. Would make an excellent blog topic.
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Gene |
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April 08, 2008 at 9:26pm |
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Kyleen,
Just give a genuine testamony - your own personal story - of Christ's action in your life. People appreciate the honesty and won't consider it to be preachy, especially if they ask.
We are all called to be able to give an account of our faith. Growing up I was never able to do that. I could parrot back a line or two, but I could never carry on a religious or theological discussion - I was terrified of it, so I never talked of it. But after I began to be transformed and took the time to reflect on it all, I am now very comfortable talking about God in my life. I know God is present is real because when I encounter Him, I am transformed a little more, I feel His pure love, and as a consequence my perspective life changes. All of life's problems no longer seem very important. There is a clarity, almost a guidance, about which areas of my life and which problems to work. And often how to work them.
I enjoy the person I am when I am with Him.
That's a quick wrap of my story. You probably have a similar story. I recommend just being you and telling it like it is.
The Other Gene |
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Michael, that WOULD be a great blog! I'm in Bible school right now and am studying the synoptic gospels this term... and the question as an answer to a question seems to be Jesus' most effective teaching tool!
Gene - That IS a tough exercise! I think I'm going to start using that in my counseling and on my other website. GREAT stuff! (btw - I miss talkin with you!!)
The Other Gene (haha) - You are SO right about personal testimony. I've found that to be the most practical way to relate to others what God's power can do... and more than doctrine or theology, it provides something that cannot be argued or debated, and it shows how God's love and grace applies to every day life. |
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Gene |
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April 09, 2008 at 4:52pm |
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Aww, sorry you miss me. Drop me a line anytime!
Specifically about the comment - did you send a reply yet? He seems interested in your testimony so you can lead in from there; I'm with Gene (or maybe he's with me - or we're with the other Gene - or I'm the other Gene or. . . nevermind! - lol). Just keep the real personal stuff safe for now. people are genuinely interested in what has happened in YOUR life that in the theoretical theological stuff that fill debate classes. If the time comes, you can point him to MyChurch and post a few links about others who have had life changing experiences. I think Cheryl has a posting of these.
How's studies going? |
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I did respond, and no word back yet. I actually responded that night and haven't heard since then. But I did basically what we've all been talking about. I shared my personal reasons for believing in and trusting God and his provision in my life. I kept it short, but made sure to clearly answer the questions asked. We'll see from there.
School is keeping me very busy! haha, and work is really challenging right now too. So I've got a lot on my plate. But so far I'm managing to pull decent grades in class and I'm learning a lot, so no complaints there. I did, however, get a low B on my last test in my Synoptic Gospels class, which was disappointing, but oh well. I'll do better next time! haha |
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