Discussing Religion with Others In our society religion

Discussing Religion with Others

• In our society religion is greatly debated • While some have no interest in religion, others will discuss every point of faith • Discussing our faith can lead to opportunities for further study.

• We ought to prepare for such opportunities – 1 Pet. 3: 15, 2 Cor. 5: 10 -11, Matt. 10: 32 -33 • BUT we must do so with a proper attitudes and conduct! (Col. 4: 6, Matt. 10: 16)

Discussing Religion with Others

Live it! • Our faith starts with our example • Matthew 5: 13 -16 • Hypocrisy, half-hearted service will hinder our opportunities • Are you the one your friends will turn to for answers?

Select the right time and place • Sometimes discussions need to be arranged! • Sometimes it is not proper to discuss religion • Sometimes one is not ready for a particular subject

Start with something you agree on • Common ground determines where a discussion needs to begin • For example: Why discuss samesex marriage with one who does not understand Bible authority • Acts 8: 30 -40 – Philip began with the passage the Eunuch was reading

Seek first to understand, then to be understood • Prov. 18: 13 • Prejudice is wrong • James 1: 19 • Ask questions to clarify what one is saying • Prov. 15: 28

Don’t get caught up in foolish arguments. • Consider the following verses: • 1 Tim. 1: 3 -4, “…nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies” • 1 Tim. 4: 7, “But reject profane and old wives fables…”

Don’t get caught up in foolish arguments. • Consider the following verses: • 1 Tim. 6: 3 -5, “…obsessed with disputes and arguments over words…useless wrangling of men of corrupt minds…” • 2 Tim. 2: 14 -16, “…not to strive about words to no profit…shun profane and idle babblings”

Don’t get caught up in foolish arguments. • Consider the following verses: • 2 Tim. 2: 23 -24, “…avoid foolish and ignorant disputes…” • Is this exclusive to brethren?

Don’t force your faith on others • You CANNOT force someone to accept the truth • You can plant and water, but God will deal with the increase 1 Cor. 3: 5 -8 • That does not mean we don’t invite others to hear the truth

Know what you are teaching • 2 Tim. 2: 24, “a servant of the Lord must be…able to teach…” • 1 Peter 3: 15, be ready to give a defense for the hope that is in you. • 2 Tim. 2: 15, rightly divide the word of truth. • In this age of information, people can search and verify what you say!

Be gentle and loving • 2 Tim. 2: 24, “a servant of the Lord must …be gentle to all…” Phil. 4: 5 • Eph. 4: 15, “speaking the truth in love. ” • We need to care and it must be reflected in our demeanor • Colossians 4: 6 • Gal. 6: 1, Prov. 15: 1

Be patient • 2 Tim. 2: 24, “a servant of the Lord must …be patient…” • Important changes typically don’t happen quickly. • Even we should be slow to change (Eph. 4: 14, Heb. 13: 9) Eph. 3: 17, rooted and grounded in love

Be humble when correcting • 2 Tim. 2: 25, “a servant of the Lord must …in humility correcting those who are in opposition…” • Arrogance drives people away. • We must ensure our confidence is NOT arrogance and pride • Phil. 2: 3 -4

Let inquirers read it for themselves • SHOW them the truth! This puts the message in God’s hands • Cf. Luke 10: 26, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it? ” • 1 Corinthians 2: 1 -2 • Acts 17: 11

Be fair with the truth • Don’t deceive. Don’t twist the scriptures. Be honest and conduct yourself with integrity. • Cf. 2 Peter 3: 16 • To deliberately misapply scripture is to lie!

Use difficult questions to set up future studies • Everything can not be discussed in one sitting • Look for opportunities to share God’s plan of salvation!

• When we stand before God we will give an account for ourselves • With others all we can do is plant and water the seed. • BUT, even a gardener knows there are rules to follow to harvest a good crop.

Are we willing to share our faith with others?