Hopefully, you know more than a few bible verses. Defending your faith with a bible verse or two is a lot like a lawyer trying to argue a case with only a few facts. I would say, knowing what bible verse to use is key, but that would be misleading. You must listen to the person asking the question. Sometimes its necessary to cut through the chase and ask the person, what will they do once they find the answer. If your not one who studies what is written in the 66 books of the bible, spewing out bible verses to someone asking questions could be disastrous.
Where are we going with this conversation?
That’s a good question, that is something that you should know when engaging someone with their questions about your faith. If you think that you will win them with your scripture memorization technique you might embarrass yourself. Listening 101 will be vital in your answers. Quoting the location of scriptures and what a passage says may not satisfy the persons quest for an answer. Not everything is cut and dry.
Sometimes all a person needs is a listening ear.
Do not be so fast to quote your Romans 10:9-10 -or- John 3:16. Everybody that you talk to is not looking for a pastor nor do they need another father or mother figure in their life. You are not the fix all for the person that is hurting, your a vessel, a tool used by God. You are not their savior. Many Christians embark upon the quest to save everyone they talk to.
Empathize don’t sympathize.
Many people will reject your sympathy. So don’t convey that you feel sorry for anybody. But, when you communicate that you understand how a person feels and you can identify with their feelings and issues you just might be one step closer to gaining their confidence and winning them over. Remember, its not about you, their are no quotas, people are hurting and they are looking for answers and for someone that will listen and not look at them in disbelief and shock.
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