Reaching Nonbelievers

I know I'm gonna be in the minority here, but being a new Christian, you first need to get your own life in order before witnessing to others. When I became a new Christian (20 years ago), I was an "eruptor", telling literally everyone I though needed Jesus about Him, and that they needed him right now, right now, right now. Ya know what? I probably did more damage to those people than I did good, and even turned a few people away from the Gospel. Eventually, I settled back into life, and began to make the changes in my life that God wanted me to make. Over time, I learned that it isour lives that speak as a witness more loudly than our mouths.

When it comes to your own family members, don't expect results overnight. Live your life as God would have you live it. Let your life shine as a witness. Other family members who are not believers today may eventually become believers, in part due to your life, and probably in part to other seeds that the Holy Spirit plants via others in time. If your father had a bad experience in the past, you need to let the Holy Spirit heal that first. You don't want to inadvertently make you witnessing to him a second "bad experience" for him.

 

Excellent advice Johnv, and also to continue to pray for those we love who do not yet know the Lord.

God Bless

Sheila

 

Yes, absolutely. Continual prayer for those who have not yet come to know the Lord is essential, not only for them, but for us as well.

 

When you have met with Jesus, you won't be able to hold your tongue.

Mark 5:19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.

Mark 7:36 And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it;

Luke 5:14-15 And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.

the woman of Samaria:
John 4:28-30 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.

 

The best witness towards our family members is a changed life in us. If he sees you living your faith, being kindhearted, doing things differently than you used to and giving God the credit, than he will see that something has changed in you. Usually it is very difficult for family members to witness to their own family. You don't want to be constantly preaching at him or badgering him. I think it would be a very good thing if you invited him to come to your church with you once, telling him its not the same as the one he had a bad experience at. But if he says no first, don't badger him with it.
Then, after that, I'd wait for a special occasion before I'd invite him again.
There would be no harm in you taking a quiet moment with your dad right now and asking if you can tell him what Christ did for you, not mentioning the church. After all, he had a bad experience with the church, not with Christ....though I know people sometimes see that as the same thing. Just remember to accept his answer with love.

 

The closer you are to someone, the harder it is to reach them with the Gospel. Family is difficult and, I agree, lifestyle changes and priority changes are the strongest witness to them. But it can't be the only thing. Somewhere along the way they must be told what made the difference in your life ... best when they ask! One on one is the best.

As I work in Central and Estern Europe with people who grew up under communism, they have a culture that says "you should never speak of spiritual things in a private location." Now that is a difficult problem to overcome. We have found that starting a small group setting where people can discuss spiritual things in a non-threatening way is working.

 

That?s absolutely right. Before saving other person you need to become firm in faith.

 

That?s absolutely right. Before saving other person you need to become firm in faith. </font>[/QUOTE]How sad it is that some think they need to be grounded for however long before they can become a witness.

You have no biblical command to be saved for a particular period or that you have to know so much of this doctrine or that doctrine.

All you can do is tell what you know.

John 1:41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

All we can do is to bring them or introduce them Jesus. Please do not wait until you think that you are good enough, strong enough or even that you know enough. All that we have is today, if we will not witness today what makes think we will do it tomorrow?

The Christian also needs to understand that our lives are as short as the unsaved. They need to seek Him today; we need to serve Him today, for tomorrow is promised to no man.

[/QUOTE]That?s absolutely right. Before saving other person you need to become firm in faith. [/QB][/QUOTE]

Sorry Alex I hope you have made a mistake in your typing, YOU save no one. It is Christ alone! All you do is bring them to Him. Just like every one that has ever been saved, it was through some one introducing them to Jesus. The acceptance or rejection is down to them.

Roy

 

You are absolutely right too.

There are two different things:
1 Tell smbody about Jesus.
2 Help smbody to find Jesus
The first means only just to say. No more. This thing can and out to do all of us, who believes

The second means struggle for nonbeliever. This can do only person who really firm in faith.

I think so

A little, I have alredy experienced what daes it mean: to witness about Jesus

 

by Roy1

Neither is it unscriptural to first quietly nurture your own knowledgeof, and life with, the Lord.

Paul in Galatians 1:15-18:

 

I can't accept the fact that one should wait to share their faith in Christ till they are "mature." When is one mature enough?

Begin sharing Christ with your dad and his family, then let them see your own changed life.

Your testimony is important here, I see that concern, but there is no need to wait to share Christ.

 

With hindsight, which is a wonderful thing, I can see that my original post may have been inappropriate. My appologies. I got to thinking about when I first became a Christian and how I was see eager to tell people. Of course there were some who rubbished the idea, but there is always a chance that someone got to thinking what it really means to be a Christian. This term is sadly still greatly mis-understood and there are those who still think that going to church is enough to be able to call themselves a Christian. There are even some who believe they are born a Christian. Considering the times we live in, we must take every opportunity we can to spread the good news of Jesus and His offer of salvation thru' His sacrificial death on the Cross and subsequent resurrection.

Sheila

 

Wow...if we advised every new believer to "wait" to share their new faith in Christ until they "got their own life in order", became "firm" or "well-grounded" in their faith, it would be tragic.

Have you ever been around a new believer? Their enthusiasm about what God has done for them is absolutely contagious and they want to tell EVERYBODY! We accept Christ in "child-like" faith and I would hate to think we had to wait until we were mature Christians before we could share what God has done for us. Christian growth and maturity is a lifetime process.

newchristian04, I would encourage you to share your new-found faith with your family as often as you can. You may not see instant results; however, your job is to share the truth of His word with them and share what He has done in your life. It is GOD who will turn their hearts toward Him.

CJ

 

I am sorry, but I noticed that a lot of people here think only how to tell about Jesus. But there are situations where people need something more. In my life experience I met persons who needed not to be told but to be brought to Jesus. Like children. Like a man sick of the palsy.
Bring to Jesus - It is not the same as to tell about Jesus.

2 newchristian04 ? Share with you relatives about Jesus. And pray to Him to empower you on this way

 

Of course witness to your father. Don't beat him over the head with your Bible.Next is most important----live your life so that he will want what you have.Let your lite shine and your joy be full. Be absolutely the very best son you can be.When he brings up his bad experience in a church explain to him 2 things: first all churches are not the same, next that his relationship is with Christ.

If your father can't see the change in your life it won't help him to make a change in his life.

 

90% of all believers have never told anyone of their faith (according to surveys). The time when a person is most likely to tell is when they have a new-found faith. They are excited and that overcomes the lack of knowledge.

Add to this that God can direct a new Christian easier than He can some of us who have been in the faith a longer time. There are no limits on God with a new believer.

Add to that the fact that most new Christians know 16 (average) people needing salvation. By the time we know enough to share (in our opinion), we have isolated ourselves. New Christians have someone to speak to and something exciting to speak about.

That's contagious to others needing Jesus.