Lead:

What’s the best tactic for putting someone at ease when talking to them about Jesus? It may not be best for you, but this works for me.

Intro:

So there I was…in a dialogue with a fellow Christian about the role of apologetics and I realized that he was struggling with the idea that we’re arguing people into the Kingdom…and I realized that there’s something I always share with people when we’re talking that puts them at ease and really takes the pressure off you. So in today’s All Our Minds segment I’ll share that with you.

A couple housekeeping items before we get rolling. First, on the website at forthehope.org you’ll find something new — on the Quotes page you will now find the visual images I’m sharing on social media. You’re welcome to use those yourself.

Second, our Wisdom segment is going to be long. We’re headed into Psalm 119 which is not only the longest Psalm, but it’s the longest chapter in the Bible at 176 verses. The Bible Project reading plan that we use here chops that up into six parts which conveniently coincides with the six days we’ll be in 2 Corinthians.

Finally, and speaking of The Bible Project…as always, of course, at the beginning of a new book I put the corresponding video in the post, too…you can catch that at forthehope.org and search for program #933.

So, a quick roadmap for where we go in our Bible segment today: Early on we’ll hear one of my favorite passages in the Bible about comfort…be sure to listen for what Paul says is the purpose of affliction. Then we catch an odd passage where he’s responding to those in Corinth of accusing him of being fickle and he’s explaining his change of plans. Finally, he then transitions into describing the nature of apostolic ministry.

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Bible:

Passage: 2 Corinthians 1-2
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 41
Words: ~896

All Our Minds:

So one of the main themes you’ll see in 2 Corinthians is related to our relationship with suffering. But did you notice that Paul says there’s a sense of purpose in even that? So that we can help others, giving of that which we have received.

And as we transition to the All Our Minds segment I’ll just drop in this little teaser, too: If that part about Paul being accused and slandered sounded a little weird, I’m going to tackle that tomorrow…how should we respond when someone is dismissive (or worse) of us…perhaps for reasons that are completely bunk like it was for Paul?

Now about that conversation with a friend. I just want to point out one thing for us to remember, and give you one thing to say that I’ve found helpful.

Conversations, generally, will encounter a range of responses. One big problem any of us will have is if you don’t think Christianity is objectively true. In other words, if you think Christianity is just opinion or personal preference or Jesus was just a nice guy with some good moral teaching, you are going to get run over. You don’t have to know all the answers to have confidence that a Creator whose Son rose from the dead is objectively true.

But when you do believe it’s true, and you start growing in your ability to dialogue if not defend your convictions, we run another risk: wanting to “prove” it.

Hear me correctly. It is NOT wrong to provide reasons and logic and evidence to make your case. And I understand…been there, done that. We know it’s good stuff if the other person would just open their eyes, right?

But here’s the thing. We are a vessel, the temple of the Holy Spirit. The work we do and the witness we bring we do in partnership with Him. But biblically, it is the Holy Spirit’s work to convert someone from death to life.

Did you get that?

You and I are responsible for being a witness. You and I are not responsible for saving anybody. And at least for me, that’s a good thing.

The bottom line

So here’s the way I communicate that with someone that has worked for me. Use it if it’s useful to you.

I just tell them that. Really. I say, “I’m not here to convert you. The Bible says that that’s the work of the Holy Spirit.” That puts them at ease, and it takes the pressure off you. Not your job.

Now here’s the bonus. Once you’ve shared that way, not only are they typically more open, but you can leave them with it again. Somewhere along the way, I usually remind them that if they ever sense God knocking on the door, that’s just it. It’s the Holy Spirit’s work. And, I tell them, reach out to God. He knows your heart anyway, and He knows if you’re sincere. If you are, He’ll show Himself to you.

I do this so that they walk away with that thought in the back of their mind. The bottom line is not only remembering that it’s not your job to convert, but telling them that.

Wisdom:

Passage: Psalm 119:1-32
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 32
Words: ~525

Love you!

-R

ForTheHope is a daily audio Bible + apologetics podcast and blog. We’ve got a passion for just keepin’ it real, having conversations like normal people, and living out the love of Jesus better every single day.

Roger Courville, CSP is a globally-recognized expert in digitally-extended communication and connection, an award-winning speaker, award-winning author, and a passionately bad guitarist. Follow him on Twitter -- @RogerCourville and @JoinForTheHope – or his blog: www.forthehope.org.

Sources and resources:

Thank you for supporting this ministry should you choose to use the Amazon affiliate links below.

Not used today, but stuff I like:

J. P. Moreland, “God and the Argument from Mind,” in Christian Apologetics: An Anthology of Primary Sources, ed. Khaldoun A. Sweis and Chad V. Meister (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012), 403. (link)

J. P. Moreland, Scientism and Secularism: Learning to Respond to a Dangerous Ideology (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018), Kindle location 656-657. (link)

The Story of Reality, Greg Koukl — Love this book. A killer intro to the Christian worldview that is philosophically and theologically sound while being accessible to all readers.

How to Read the Bible Book by Book, Fee & Stuart — Just bought this myself (and haven’t read it), but Fee’s book on how to read the Bible for all it’s worth is a mega-best-selling classic.

#933: 2 Corinthians 1-2 | Putting someone at ease | Psalm 119:1-32