Help me evangelise, God is calling me to but i dont know what to say

[Magicsilence]

I live in university halls. And there are 14 people to a floor. On our floor is a massive mix of different faiths, and probably some atheists too. I know that if I dont share the faith then i am no disciple of Christ. However, how do I do it??

I only see 4 or 5 on a daily basis.

How do i share the gospel with them? I dont care if they laugh at me… but thats not the point. I want them to think, “WOW, I can feel God in that person, I want to learn more.”, "I know that these people laugh at those in Christian Union. I dont want to come across as a soppy “God loves you” etc… person. I try and live my best, but most of the time I see these people is in the kitchen to eat.

Im not sure what to say…, Im sure i could discuss faith easily enough, and have done… but how do I ask them to drop their religion/atheism and follow mine?

Perhaps someone relates…

Sigh…

Help!

In Christ

Andre.

 

[Klm]

Hi! Evangelsim isn’t really a complicated as our tiny little human minds make it. It sound like you are really doing well. St. Francis said (and I may be paraphrasing) “Preach constantly. When necessary, use words.” Start off by being a friend and friendly. Be warm and helpful. (sounds like you already are). God will open the doors. Don’t hide the fact that you are Catholic, but don’t beat people over the head with it. Don’t be confrontational about it. My brother was, for many, many years anti-catholic. Very anti-catholic. And to him his reasons were logical. Then he had a friend. Whenever Jim would try to get his friend to leave the Catholic church, his friend would give him a book to read on the issue. No pressure. Just, this is what I believe, this is why, and if you want to know more, read this. He never tried to get Jim (who was a very Godly Baptist at the time) to become a Catholic. Long story short, Jim is now a Catholic. So are my parents, and I was the last to “come home”. Meet them where they are. If they are already Christians, don’t try to “convert” them. That’s the Catholic equivalent of the Fundamentalist beating you over the head with the Bible. You don’t want to beat them over the head with the Catechism. Think of yourself as a teacher. If they have questions, give answers. Let the Holy Spirit and the information work. And remember, God may need them where they are. Be sensitive to that. And if they want to become Catholic, be supportive. It’s a tough decision to leave what you’ve always known and thought to be true for a greater truth.
Hope this helps.
Kris

 

[AquinasXVI]

Andre:

Authentic friendship, many prayers and sacrifices/mortifications for the people you wish to introduce Christ to.

This has been the formula since Pentecost.

God bless your apostolate bro.

in XT

 

[Jason_Hurd]

Please do not forget the power of simple prayer. I had a friend who was very anti-Catholic(called the Pope the whore of Babylon, said Mary-devotion was a cult, etc.). I never argued with him verbally; just “turned the other cheek” and waited for him to stop ranting and then I’d change the subject. However, I made a point to pray for his conversion at every Mass I attended, and whenever I thought of it during the day. The result: He converted a few years ago and is now active in Church ministry! The amazing thing is this: I never, ever argued with him or tried to convince him that the RCC was the “one true Church”. I just tried to live my life as an example and I prayed, prayed, and prayed some more for his conversion. And the prayers were heard.

 

[Axion]

Most people are very curious about eternal issues, and like to talk about them. The problem is that most also fear being bashed into a denomination by “hard sell”.

If you can make it “safe” for them to talk about faith, why we are here, and religion, they may start to open up. So show them you are a reasonable, friendly person, not just out to put a notch on your bedpost. Let them know you are Catholic. be open to questions. Talk about all sorts of issues, and some will bring up a Catholic position, which you can introduce or defend.

You have to be careful here, because some of your friends may have strong anti-catholic prejudices and misconceptions. You may need to answer wild accusations about Medieval “corruption”, scandals, The Crusades, the Inquisition, witch-burnings, abortion, AIDS, “worshipping statues”, Galileo, Evolution, the Da Vinci Code, Biblical Massacres, etc. It’s a good idea to bone up on these subjects so you can answer well, and get good books or articles you can lend.

If you can, avoid such controversial subjects, and concentrate your efforts on deeper issues like the meaning of existence, what is truth, etc. If people are interested, have a good easy-to-read book or leaflet you can refer them to, but don’t force them on them.

Don’t be disappointed if people don’t seem to convert immediately. Your task may just be to sow the seeds.

 

[Sherlock]

I think that everyone has offered excellent suggestions. I’ll only add that it may encourage conversation if you combine holiness and genuine friendliness with visible signs that you are a Catholic. Wear a crucifix; have religious pictures and holy cards in your room; have a Catholic T-shirt or two. (Catholic stores have all of these things.) I would also say (somewhat hesitantly) that, in regards to religious pictures and holy cards, be sure to choose ones that depict shared beliefs (I’m thinking of Protestants here). Pictures of Jesus show that, contrary to what they may have heard, Catholics are Christians. (Many pictures of Mary may encourage the erroneous belief that we worship Mary.) Find a good orthodox parish, and be ready to invite people to go with you: you can usually avoid any unpleasantness regarding their inability to receive communion by stressing that communion is a statement of shared belief. Explain to them beforehand the nature of the sacrifice of the Mass, and sit up front where they can see what is going on.

God bless.

 

[awalt]

I would only add the first step is always to live the life of Christ the best you can - prayer, alms giving, sacraments, grow your faith through the grace of God, and people will see it - it really does work! You handle situations differently than they do, you are happier, you are more productive in using the gifts God gave you. People will recognize it, and then your chance to explain your “secret of success” can be shared!

Good luck!