'In the Multitude of Counselors, There is Safety' [Prov 11:14, 24:6]
Hello All:
If you have someone who is opening to listening to the Truths of God, what do you believe is the best approach? What subject/doctrine would you start with and from what passages?
I ask this because I was talking with someone who, is a believer, and has a preacher that is open with talking with him. This believer does not believe the preacher is looking to debate, just to genuinely discuss the Word.
I'm pretty sure most of us cross paths with others who 'want to know what we believe'...how would you begin?
Marques
Hi Marques,
This is the type of Thread that I enjoy becoming a part of. Your Question at face value appears simple, but the approach made to the various types of people We encounter may differ tremendously. Allot would depend on how well and how much you know about a particular person, their backround: Religious, Cultural, personality type, likes and dislikes and what their interests are. Although Humans not having Free Will and the Sovereignty of God are the most important, usually I don't begin by explaining anything about these concepts initially, gradually I will work some of these concepts into the discussion. Most of the time I begin explaining that God is Love, Love never Fails, Jesus was sent to be the Savior of the World, Jesus is a propitiatory sacrifice for not us only, but the whole World. I attempt to explain some of the Greek Terms, not too many, as to overwhelm. For instance I explain how "never, none, not" are from "ou' te, root ou and how there cannot be any instance where God's Love ever fails; He desires or Wills that none perish. I try to emphasize that people tend to look at God as barely above the capability of Humans, but when He desires, wills or wants something to happen, it has to, unlike puny imperfect Humans who desire something and might never get it.
I try to keep the approach as simple as possible waiting for questions from the person I'm conversing with. Since most people believe in some sort of "Eternal Punishment," I stress that nobody gets away with sinning and committing injustices against other people, but God's punishments(Kolasin-chastisement) and Judgements are with a view to Correcting and Benefiting the one receiving it and are not Endless. So the erroneous concept of "Eternal" is explained to them. How far I go in explaining these things depends on the reaction of the individual. Just by getting to know someone, I can usually tell whether or not I should even bring up anything dealing with Bible related Topics. Usually, the more Religiously Orthodox and set in their ways. (USUALLY)
Some Forum Members might conclude that since God is the one who has to CAUSE someone to accept and believe the truths We've learned, it doesn't make any difference or We shouldn't bother to spread this message, However, Our planting a seed of Truth might eventually be the CAUSE that leads to them embracing the Universal message of Salvation for All, because We don't know the End from the Beginning and We don't know what Tomorrow might bring, even though God does. Below are Two Examples of people that I've conversed with and alittle bit about what transpired to illustrate what might happen based on an individuals mind set and heart attitude.
Note: The names mentioned below are not their real names, in case they eventually become guests)
Example # 1( A Man name Star Wars believes the King James Bible, takes most of the Bible physical and literal, has a general working knowledge of verses, believes in a physical Hell and Heaven. When discussing the Bible and mentioning what a word means in the Greek, responds by saying: " I don't speak Greek." Doesn't accept other translations, He actually quit a Denomination because they switched translations. Only believers will be saved, regardless if their sinning machines. Obsessed with Homosexual Sins, but minimizes other Sexual Sins like Adultery and Premarital Sex. Basically this is His pattern. He believed an unplugged television transmitted a message telling Him to quit smoking, I guess Angelic direction. Why wouldn't an unplugged television tell someone that it's wrong to commit Adultery. Apparently, I learned not to mention Bible related topics with this individual, He doesn't want anyone to tell Him anything and in most cases is not open to any agreement, even with ample Scriptural proof presented to Him.)
Comment: My conversations with the above person took place over 1 1/2 years ago and since then I haven't mentioned anything Bible related. Whenever He mentions anything Biblical unsound, I remain silent eventually changing the subject and we get along fine.
Example #2 ( Davis, a fellow workmate moans and groans about the injustices and inconsistencies in Life and enjoys hearing about some of the message. Usually, I explain to Him about the experience of Evil and how God has given Mankind an experience of Evil to humble them and how we learn from experiencing contrasts in Life. This is how God is creating us in His image and it's a process. He recognizes that He's learned from experiences relating to His bad temper and lack of self control and He's improved in that area through His suffering and trials. I told Him that God is pruning Him and correcting Him. He has received physical problems as a result of His uncontrolled anger(Extremely high blood pressure disorder). Davis seems to appreciate the Scriptures, but doesn't ask too many questions, does more listening than anything, but is probably more of a sounding board for me. He's a very nice and decent guy, wish everybody I worked with was like Him. He Loves to talk about past experiences and that's when I incorporate some Bible Truths into the discussion.)
I could definitely continue with more examples, but I probably wrote too much. If someone is detected as stubborn and arrogant about their beliefs, not open to reason or lacks any interest, I will only talk to them about things that have nothing to do with the bible, unless they ask me a specific sincere question. With almost everybody that's willing to listen, I begin with Ray's Foundational Truths type stuff gradually incorporating the " We don't have free Will points," God is Sovereign. Punishment is Corrective and not endless. The word IS indicates a state of being. If you IS something, you can't be a percentage less than that when referring to God. God IS Spirit; God IS Love, Jesus IS the Savior of the whole World, Jesus IS the propitiatory sacrifice for the Whole World. I usually start with these truths eventually incorporating the additional truths, but try to keep it simple, especially early on. I don't want them to get indigestion,
. All We can do is plant the Seed, but only God can make it grow.
Interesting Thread, Samson.