How do you go about talking to someone who was not raised in the church about your beliefs?  How do you explain to them about being saved?  What are the topics you should bring up first?
206292
You don't "get" a non-believer to become a believer - that implies you want control of his mind, lending credence to the idea of brainwashing. Instead, you calmly present your opinions (*IF* asked for them), and you have the courtesy and respect for the "non-believer" that you'd wish him to have of you, and allow him to make up his *own* mind *without* any undue outside pressure to "see the truth."
478425
Please answer all:\n1- do you attend a church? Yes\n2- which afirmation do you belong (baptist, catholic, temple,ect)? Baptist\n3- Are you faithful to attend whenever the church doors are open? Yes, I enjoy church\n4- Would anything interfere with attending church (sleep, family, anything) No usually\n5- Would it be a serious event to miss church? Not exactly serious, but I wouldn't be happy!!!\n6- Why do you attend church? Because I want to grow in my relationship with the Lord.\n7- Is your church leader (pastor) a male or female? Male. I don't think it's right for women to be preachers. They could teach, though. I have a female Sunday school teacher.\n8- What is your salvation? Blood, water, works, etc? I don't get the question.\n9- Do you take notes during the message, in any form? Yes.\n10- Do you daily read your bible? Genesis to Revelation, cover to cover? I really try to have my quiet times.\n11 - Which bible do you read from, (version)? All different kinds. I prefer the ones I can understand (cause I'm only a teen!)\n12- How do you help your church? Helping with church activities\n13- What in your words is the Gospel? \n14- Lastly: Do you have full assurance, that after death, you'll know where you'll be? Yes, I do. Can't wait to meet you in Heaven
223302
We are to tell others about Jesus, and how to be saved. We need to be praying, Reading our Bible, and going to church. We need to live our life apart from this world.We are to seek God for His will in our life. Put our faith and Trust in Him. let others see Christ in you. When God saves you, He puts a new song in your heart. A heart that wants to serve Him. let your light shine for Jesus. Watch for the Lord. Be ready. For we knowth not the day,or hour, that He is coming. Yes. I do agree with you. God Bless you.
589965
HI Derek,\nGood question. Obviously I do not know what your friend's church background is. Although what she is doing is appropriate from a Biblical standpoint, she might be legalistic in her approach (Overly stiff, following a rule as though its the ONLY way to do something). But let's assume that she is a Christian that simply desires to walk with God in a close manner. There's a "fancy" word called sanctification. It means to be set apart. Both the Old Testament and the New are full of stories and commands that depict that God expects his people to NOT look like the non-believing people. So that alone could cause your friend to choose Christian music over secular. Have you listened to the words in secular music lately Derek? They've always talked about love, but they are now often filled with a lot of profanity, sex even violence. Christians are called to not purposely fill their minds with those things (Romans 12:1-2) because as a man thinks so he acts...(Proverbs 23:7) so if we fill our minds with negative thoughts, we tend to be very pessimistic. The same is true with any thoughts - garbage in - garbage out!\n\nWhen a person becomes a Christian they are set apart by Christ - He calls them to change, to leave what was behind and press ahead to what God has called them to do- He provides the power (Ephesians 5) but as a Christian we are under new ownership (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). If you are not a Christian, that may seem very odd, but it makes sense that if you have a new "boss" at work, you do things his way - especially if that boss is smart, loving and giving like God. Why wouldn't you want to follow him? \n\nAnyway, you asked, where in the Bible does it say....the problem in answering is: where does it not say that. I could quote passage after passage, but I think you see my point. \n\nFrankly, Christians SHOULD be involved as engineers, scientists, musicians, doctors and everything else. Christians are called to be salt and light to a world (Matthew %:13-14) which Jesus says is corrupted and is dying (He died to save people who recognize that and turn to Him). Perhaps your friend is overdoing it a bit - but perhaps this is her way of saying, enough is enough, and she's trying to run form her junky past and begin living more consistently for God. I hope you will be patient and supportive. \n\nHope that helps.\n\nMy best,\nProf Mark\nhttp://prof-mark.com
175769
I am not a Christian, nor a pre-Christian.  What I would like to say however is that there is no "one sentence" that you can write to convert thinking people to Christianity.  You have to give proper evidence of your claims, and that would most likely take a lot more than one sentence.
640506
You are spiritually lost. I wish I had a personal encounter to spend hours, days or weeks to explain. Get in a Bible Based Church. Read the Bible. Talk with God. Talk with fellow christians at your church. Seek spiritual guidance from spiritual counselors! The danger is, you are very mixed up and your comments may lead other astray, who do not have a sound faith. Please get help for yourself, so that you may someday help others too!\nYou need to get to know Christ as a personal Lord & Savior. You may know a little about him...but you do not know him. There is a great difference from knowing about someone, than it is about really knowing them. Jesus wants a personal relationship with you. Pray to him for understanding & direction. \nGod Bless you in love & direction!
337128
Thanks for asking. I never get to talk about this.\n\nI am an active member of the United Church of Christ. I am Christian but I have little in common with the "Christians" that seem to be all over yahoo answers. The Christian "right" that spends so much of their time telling everyone how well they know the mind of God. (Another rant for another time, sorry)\nI believe that each person has their own relationship with God and therefore there own interpretation of his word. Sometimes reading the Bible is like reading a letter from God to me. Sometimes it's like reading a history book. I am to make my own choices about God's will for my life and do what I understand to be the right thing. There is no one to interpret for me. There is no one that will tell me what the rules are. Some churches are very clear on what to do and what not to do. What to believe and what not to believe. We don't have that. It's up to the individual to seek their own path. I sit in Worship with all kinds of people each week. Our Pastor is a woman, Our women’s fellowship leader is a very conservative person who teaches History at the local high school and voted for Bush. Our Sunday school teacher is a devoted Democrat and pro-choice advocate. I am somewhere in the middle. Each day must change. Each encounter with God brings new understanding and new questions. Most of us don't believe in hell and some of us believe in re-incarnation. The only "rule" is to be kind and helpful to your neighbor. Charity in all things. We are gay, straight, liberal, conservative, married and living together. Making room for everyone and working together can be a real challenge. Listening to God for myself and going the way he leads ME is harder than most people think.
488507
Interesting.  The Lord has put many in my life. Right now, I have a group of late teens, early twenties... I am preparing them for college,  by training them in Christian apologetics. This will help them defend their faith against the worldliness of college. My ex-wife... without her I may not have gotten to know the Lord and not be doing what I am doing now.  I had a wonderful class a few years ago and was able to teach science from a Christian perspective. One of the students, Sarah died last week. I believe she is in Heaven. This is rough when you see this happen to a 16 year old. But I hope I was able to make some difference in her and her families life.
172849
Yes. I have asked my pastor and friends to share their ideas after answering questions. There have been concepts covered here that I had not thought of before. It has served as a tool that has deepened my understanding and fortified my faith. My church is open to all questions, and we discuss whatever is on our minds on Wednesday nights, so the reaction has been as it always is, very welcoming and non-judgemental. A topic that I am currently mulling over is the concept of hell - whether it is the eternal burning and torture most think it is, or if it is obliteration by being thrown into the lake of fire. I'm leaning towards the latter lately as I have found nothing that indicates that hell is eternal torture.
235833
Find that which binds people in the group and in people in general.  Present how the gospel has changed your lives and how it resonates through you and your group no matter what your beliefs.  Jesus intended the gospel to be a uniter, it's up to you to find its uniting qualities.  It doesn't matter how mature you are, it's easy to share how something has affected you.\n\nGood luck!
491079
Pray for them and share Jesus Christ with them. They come here for answers about how they can be saved, it is just their way of beating around the bush. \n\nMost of them are afraid of life, and what is after. Also it is Satan inside of them warring against God.\n\nBest to just come back with answers from the Bible, about how God does love them. Because that is what they really want to hear, or they wouldn't come on this site.
203949
Trying to get teenagers interested in anything these days is a difficult task, and I applaud you for trying to introduce them to Christianity.  However, you must know and understand that you can not lead anyone to salvation. You can not save anyone.  You can not bring anyone to God.  All these things are brought about ONLY by the free will God gave them. They must choose.\n\nThat being said, leading by example is the best approach.  Nothing you say will mean anything to these kids if they think you are full of crap (pardon the term).  But it's true, young adults and teenagers are longing for good guidance by adults they can trust.\n\nIt's also important to find ways to establish a relationship with their lives, and the life of a Christian.  Give them some examples of how fear, anxiety, social relations with the opposite sex, the future, etc. are all made clearer and better when you have friends that have shared experiences, and that these experiences have meaning.  Let them know that being a good Christian means being a part of something beautiful and fulfilling.\n\nNever take them for granted.  All their problems are very real, and sometimes devastating (even if you think they are trivial.)  Teenagers have such a strong need to be accepted and understood, and if you just say "trust in God" over and over again, they'll become immune to it.  \n\nStay creative and entertaining.  The attention span of the avergae teen is about 10 seconds, maybe less.  You have to keep them focused. (This will end up being the most difficult part.)\n\nAnyway...good luck, and God Bless.  Don't give up, and trust that The Lord will find his way into the hearts of these kids, and that these kids will want Him there.
638233
Its all about Faith.  \n\nI was not born into any religion, both of my parents always talked about God to me as a child, usually to their benefit, like " God says " Honor thy Father and Mother".  As a kid my babysitter took me to Jehova Witnesses gatherings, I went with that family every other day for about 3 or 4 years, however i never believed in thier teachings.  I fell asleep everytime i went.  When I got a bit older, I remember my parents taking me a few times to a pentacostal church, the amazing thing about that is that to this day i still remember a little hym that we sang in sunday school.  I was about 8 years old when I stopped listening to the word, or visiting churches.  My Mom and Dad were both pretty much on their own about that, they never went to church, they never talked about God.  My mom would read the bible every once in a while, but she never did anything to demonstrate any change. My dad was an alcoholic, and us kids, were just kids.\n\nLast year my dad got saved, unfortunately my mom and him had already divorced, but my dad got saved, and i noticed the biggest change in him, he was no longer violent, he was no longer drinking, he was no longer smoking, no longer wasting his money, he was no longer a demanding person from me.  I began visiting the church he attendent and I came to Christ within a month of visiting.  Honestly the day i accepted Christ, I was preparing my speech to reject the Lord.  But God is bigger than that.  I belong to an Apostolic Church, there is a lot of discipline and rules involved, but I think that what I enjoy about it.  That it is something that changes you, we have prayer services almost everyday of the week and have regular services on the weekend.  I have gotten to know God on a personal basis, he has done miracles in my life and in the lives of other members right before my eyes.\n\nI never believed in Catholic Faith, buddist or anything else, simply because that wasn't my place.  I think living in the united states we are free to worship what ever we want, and If I would have wanted i would have visited other churches when I was younger and would of known that those other religions were not for me.\n\nReligion's should not be found on basis of Statistics and strategies.  Faith is found when the church you go to practices what they preach, when you read that Scriptures and it all makes sense to you.  The Holy Spirit moves with in you and tells you right from wrong.
281079
Lead by example.  Live your life in a manner that no one can doubt that you are a Christian.  Don't give up on your testimony, but sometime a testimony can be more effective by action instead of words.  Don't be pushy, just let them know how Jesus gives you hope and how you find love in His words.  I think by your question that you are really concerned about the spiritual well being of your friends and that is very commendable.  God bless you and may you continue to lead your friends closer to Jesus.  You may never know until you get to heaven the impact that you have.  It would be good to know you had an impact of their lives on this earth, but wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to rejoice in heaven when you see some or all of these that you have concern for.
356154
Why do you ask such a question? Anyway, born and raised a christian. I know I'm answering your question, but tell me this, would that matter to you, if you met a decent, respectful person of a religion different from your own?
76605
Hello The Great an... :)\n\nI was not raised in a Chrisitan home..my dad was an alcholic..my mom used to abuse us with a belt..If I listened to my mom and my dad, I would still be an atheist..\n\nI was not afraid of going to hell (I did not believe it existed)..I did not believe that heaven existed either (God was not real to me)..\n\nI tried the Wiccan religion..it had no answers for my drug addiction..or for taking away the feeling of loneliness..I did not like the idea of any god or godesses'..for if they were real, my life would not have a hell here on earth..\n\nI also tried Buddism..it said you have to find yourself within to change..that was the problem I was having..I could not change my self..No matter how much I tried.. :(\n\nI could not have followed the marjority..because before I asked Jesus into my heart, I did not even know that Christians were the marjority..I did not even want to know..I hated Christians..because they were sicky sweet..telling everyone that Jesus Loved them..they did not know how to have fun in life, they lived boring lives..\n\nThen one day, I just could not take life anymore (I was going to kill myself that day)..\n\nMy brother came over on Sundays to take my children to Church..he asked me if I wanted to go..I told him I was not dressed, he said he would wait for me..So I went to the Jesus Freaks Church (that is what I called them)..I cursed the Pastor..all he did is tell me that he Loved me and so did Jesus..I said I would be coming back next Sunday to curse him out again..\n\nThe following Sunday before I was able to say anything the Pastor asked if anyone wanted to be baptised that afternoon..before I knew what I was doing, my arm went up into the air..I was baptized that afternoon..\n\nThe next morning I was quoting scriptures from the Bible (I had never even read it before)..my oldest daughter came down the stairs and I said to her, I Love you and for the first time in my life, I felt Love for my little girl, she came running to me and we hugged each other, I was crying, because you see, I used to abuse my little girl.. :(\n\nI was immediately set free from drugs, greed, hatred, anger, self pity, lust, and fear of what tomorrow may bring..\n\nNo one, had ever able to give me total peace within my heart..or given me a reason to live..nor have they ever been able to fill the emptiness within..\n\nUntil that one day on August 28, 1978..when I asked Jesus to be the Lord of my life and forgive me of my sins..for if one asks with a sincere heart, your sins will be washed away and you will feel as clean and as white as snow..a veil shall be lifted from your eyes..then and only then will anyone believe that:\n\nJohn 3\n\n16  ¶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.\n \n17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.\n \n===========================================================\n\nThank-you for asking this question.. :)\n\nIn Jesus Most Precious Name..\nWith Love..In Christ..
464002
Ask them what they need and do that. \n\nJust be a helping hand.\n\nListen.\n\nChuck Swindoll talked about how he helped an older woman when he was a cabbie and she was moving into a "home." Google him and look for his sermon from a couple weeks ago if you want to hear the story. Not a religious ploy just a good story.