![Typewriter with paper inserted on which is typed the word \"Sharing\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/2072\/2024\/07\/parts-5243254_640-1.jpg\")
Six Suggestions To Successfully Share Faith With Friends<\/strong><\/h3>\nWho are your friends? Think of the buddies or pals you trust and like enough to regularly spend time with<\/a>. Wouldn\u2019t you tell them about a great new show they\u2019d like? Or about a shortcut to get to a favorite meeting place? Of course you would! So, why don\u2019t we share the truth about our very best friend\u2014Jesus? Fear mainly. But don\u2019t let that reason stop you. Here are six suggestions to successfully share faith with friends.<\/p>\nWitness With Actions<\/strong><\/h3>\nMost believers think sharing our faith requires doing so with words. However, a familiar adage states that an action speaks louder than words. In that vein, living a godly life is one of the best ways to share what you believe.<\/p>\n
Non-believers watch what Christians do. And because of what they see, they often reject Christianity because our walk fails to match our talk<\/a>. Jesus commanded His believers to love their neighbors, which certainly includes friends. If our faith is based on loving others, what actions are we taking to show our love?<\/p>\nLook for concrete actions to take. For example, offer to help others. Do they need assistance moving? Pitch in. Are they going on vacation? Volunteer to bring in their mail or feed their cat. Is someone sick? Bring them a meal or offer to run errands for them. By living a life demonstrating God\u2019s love, you can prepare people to receive the gospel because they\u2019ve witnessed it in action<\/a>.<\/p>\nTell The Truth<\/strong><\/h3>\nSpeak up at the appropriate time with the truth. Invited to go to play golf on Sunday morning? Don\u2019t just say you\u2019ve got something else planned. Explain that you regularly attend church then, and it is something you don\u2019t want to miss. Asked to cover a shift at work for a buddy during a time your Bible study group meets? Don\u2019t respond that you have a conflict. Tell them what it is. They may not like your response, but they will respect you for taking your faith seriously. This approach impresses upon a friend that your faith has a priority over social activities and over an opportunity to make more money.<\/p>\n![\"Image](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/2072\/2024\/07\/religion-3717899_640.jpg\")
Answered prayers make good conversation starters to share faith with friends [Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nPoint Out Happy Endings<\/strong><\/h3>\nEveryone likes a story with a feel-good ending, so share stories of answered prayer with friends. You\u2019d discuss a news story where a child was rescued, a brush fire stopped just short of someone\u2019s residence, or an organ transplant came through just at the right time with them. Why not talk about similar happy endings with the twist that the result is attributable to an answer to prayer? Was your cousin in a car wreck and expected to die? Intercessory prayer answered by God allowed the relative to survive. Such stories reveal God\u2019s power as well as your belief in the effectiveness of prayer and can lead to deeper discussion about faith.<\/p>\n
Location, Location, Location<\/strong><\/h3>\nHaving faith is a different path for non-believers to take. Perhaps the first step for them in the process is changing their location. Invite friends to Christian social activities. A Christian concert these days does not equate to an organ recital. The music is great, and the lyrics will spread the Good News. An added bonus? Non-believers can see Christians can and do have fun. Everyone likes to eat. Ask a friend to go with you to a church picnic or ice cream social. There won\u2019t be a sermon, but someone will say a blessing and attendees will likely discuss faith topics.<\/p>\n![View of concert in progress through crowd of raised hands with the word \"JESUS\" displayed behind the band](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/2072\/2024\/07\/edward-cisneros-QSa-uv4WJ0k-unsplash.jpg\")
Invite a friend to a Christian concert for an opportunity to share your faith [Photo by Edward Cisneros on Unsplash]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIt\u2019s All In the Delivery<\/strong><\/h3>\nEphesians 4:15<\/a> talks of believers speaking the truth in love. It means not to be judgmental, arrogant, or preachy<\/a> when sharing your faith. Wouldn\u2019t YOU reject someone speaking to you like that? Speak with gentleness and respect as instructed in 1 Peter 3:15<\/a>. Opening with fire and brimstone may not be as productive as saying, \u201cI care about you, so I want you to know this information.\u201d<\/p>\nShare Your Personal Experience<\/strong><\/h3>\nA feeling of inadequacy prevents many from sharing. They don\u2019t hold a theology degree or have the Bible memorized. They are unprepared to\u00a0 answer all the questions or to engage in a theological argument. But people will listen when you tell them your own story of how you came to God and what He\u2019s done for you. While theological principles may be debatable, what happened in your life is not<\/a>.<\/p>\nThink about the Samaritan women at the well whose fellow townspeople despised and rejected her. After meeting Jesus, she told everyone about her encounter with Him. And the result? John 4:39<\/a> tells us they listened to her personal story, and many believed.<\/p>\n![\"Four](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/2072\/2024\/07\/people-2576652_640.jpg\")
Jesus wants us to share faith with friends [Image by StockSnap from Pixabay]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nShare Faith With Friends<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Witness With Actions<\/strong><\/h3>\nMost believers think sharing our faith requires doing so with words. However, a familiar adage states that an action speaks louder than words. In that vein, living a godly life is one of the best ways to share what you believe.<\/p>\n
Non-believers watch what Christians do. And because of what they see, they often reject Christianity because our walk fails to match our talk<\/a>. Jesus commanded His believers to love their neighbors, which certainly includes friends. If our faith is based on loving others, what actions are we taking to show our love?<\/p>\nLook for concrete actions to take. For example, offer to help others. Do they need assistance moving? Pitch in. Are they going on vacation? Volunteer to bring in their mail or feed their cat. Is someone sick? Bring them a meal or offer to run errands for them. By living a life demonstrating God\u2019s love, you can prepare people to receive the gospel because they\u2019ve witnessed it in action<\/a>.<\/p>\nTell The Truth<\/strong><\/h3>\nSpeak up at the appropriate time with the truth. Invited to go to play golf on Sunday morning? Don\u2019t just say you\u2019ve got something else planned. Explain that you regularly attend church then, and it is something you don\u2019t want to miss. Asked to cover a shift at work for a buddy during a time your Bible study group meets? Don\u2019t respond that you have a conflict. Tell them what it is. They may not like your response, but they will respect you for taking your faith seriously. This approach impresses upon a friend that your faith has a priority over social activities and over an opportunity to make more money.<\/p>\nAnswered prayers make good conversation starters to share faith with friends [Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nPoint Out Happy Endings<\/strong><\/h3>\nEveryone likes a story with a feel-good ending, so share stories of answered prayer with friends. You\u2019d discuss a news story where a child was rescued, a brush fire stopped just short of someone\u2019s residence, or an organ transplant came through just at the right time with them. Why not talk about similar happy endings with the twist that the result is attributable to an answer to prayer? Was your cousin in a car wreck and expected to die? Intercessory prayer answered by God allowed the relative to survive. Such stories reveal God\u2019s power as well as your belief in the effectiveness of prayer and can lead to deeper discussion about faith.<\/p>\n
Location, Location, Location<\/strong><\/h3>\nHaving faith is a different path for non-believers to take. Perhaps the first step for them in the process is changing their location. Invite friends to Christian social activities. A Christian concert these days does not equate to an organ recital. The music is great, and the lyrics will spread the Good News. An added bonus? Non-believers can see Christians can and do have fun. Everyone likes to eat. Ask a friend to go with you to a church picnic or ice cream social. There won\u2019t be a sermon, but someone will say a blessing and attendees will likely discuss faith topics.<\/p>\nInvite a friend to a Christian concert for an opportunity to share your faith [Photo by Edward Cisneros on Unsplash]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIt\u2019s All In the Delivery<\/strong><\/h3>\nEphesians 4:15<\/a> talks of believers speaking the truth in love. It means not to be judgmental, arrogant, or preachy<\/a> when sharing your faith. Wouldn\u2019t YOU reject someone speaking to you like that? Speak with gentleness and respect as instructed in 1 Peter 3:15<\/a>. Opening with fire and brimstone may not be as productive as saying, \u201cI care about you, so I want you to know this information.\u201d<\/p>\nShare Your Personal Experience<\/strong><\/h3>\nA feeling of inadequacy prevents many from sharing. They don\u2019t hold a theology degree or have the Bible memorized. They are unprepared to\u00a0 answer all the questions or to engage in a theological argument. But people will listen when you tell them your own story of how you came to God and what He\u2019s done for you. While theological principles may be debatable, what happened in your life is not<\/a>.<\/p>\nThink about the Samaritan women at the well whose fellow townspeople despised and rejected her. After meeting Jesus, she told everyone about her encounter with Him. And the result? John 4:39<\/a> tells us they listened to her personal story, and many believed.<\/p>\nJesus wants us to share faith with friends [Image by StockSnap from Pixabay]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nShare Faith With Friends<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Look for concrete actions to take. For example, offer to help others. Do they need assistance moving? Pitch in. Are they going on vacation? Volunteer to bring in their mail or feed their cat. Is someone sick? Bring them a meal or offer to run errands for them. By living a life demonstrating God\u2019s love, you can prepare people to receive the gospel because they\u2019ve witnessed it in action<\/a>.<\/p>\n Speak up at the appropriate time with the truth. Invited to go to play golf on Sunday morning? Don\u2019t just say you\u2019ve got something else planned. Explain that you regularly attend church then, and it is something you don\u2019t want to miss. Asked to cover a shift at work for a buddy during a time your Bible study group meets? Don\u2019t respond that you have a conflict. Tell them what it is. They may not like your response, but they will respect you for taking your faith seriously. This approach impresses upon a friend that your faith has a priority over social activities and over an opportunity to make more money.<\/p>\n Everyone likes a story with a feel-good ending, so share stories of answered prayer with friends. You\u2019d discuss a news story where a child was rescued, a brush fire stopped just short of someone\u2019s residence, or an organ transplant came through just at the right time with them. Why not talk about similar happy endings with the twist that the result is attributable to an answer to prayer? Was your cousin in a car wreck and expected to die? Intercessory prayer answered by God allowed the relative to survive. Such stories reveal God\u2019s power as well as your belief in the effectiveness of prayer and can lead to deeper discussion about faith.<\/p>\n Having faith is a different path for non-believers to take. Perhaps the first step for them in the process is changing their location. Invite friends to Christian social activities. A Christian concert these days does not equate to an organ recital. The music is great, and the lyrics will spread the Good News. An added bonus? Non-believers can see Christians can and do have fun. Everyone likes to eat. Ask a friend to go with you to a church picnic or ice cream social. There won\u2019t be a sermon, but someone will say a blessing and attendees will likely discuss faith topics.<\/p>\n Ephesians 4:15<\/a> talks of believers speaking the truth in love. It means not to be judgmental, arrogant, or preachy<\/a> when sharing your faith. Wouldn\u2019t YOU reject someone speaking to you like that? Speak with gentleness and respect as instructed in 1 Peter 3:15<\/a>. Opening with fire and brimstone may not be as productive as saying, \u201cI care about you, so I want you to know this information.\u201d<\/p>\n A feeling of inadequacy prevents many from sharing. They don\u2019t hold a theology degree or have the Bible memorized. They are unprepared to\u00a0 answer all the questions or to engage in a theological argument. But people will listen when you tell them your own story of how you came to God and what He\u2019s done for you. While theological principles may be debatable, what happened in your life is not<\/a>.<\/p>\n Think about the Samaritan women at the well whose fellow townspeople despised and rejected her. After meeting Jesus, she told everyone about her encounter with Him. And the result? John 4:39<\/a> tells us they listened to her personal story, and many believed.<\/p>\nTell The Truth<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Point Out Happy Endings<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Location, Location, Location<\/strong><\/h3>\n
It\u2019s All In the Delivery<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Share Your Personal Experience<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Share Faith With Friends<\/strong><\/h3>\n