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 same-sex 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?