How do I share the truth with others?

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SocaliCatholic

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I’ve been reading these forums and was wondering what is the best way to share Christian truth? I’ve noticed many different approaches but was wondering what techniques and approaches win the most converts?

Do you speak the truth for their sake even if they are offended, and end up arguing like many apologetics converstations end up, or is it more like a friendly charismatic presentation like the preachers on televeision? How does Jesus want me to share it. Can I used the strategies I learned when I was in sales?
 
Because the people you deal with are different, the approach you will need to use with them is also different. In all cases, you must use charity (love). That doesn’t mean that you don’t accurately present the faith in order to offending, but you must always do so in a way that respects and tries to understand them. Also, don’t worry about the “number of converts” you can win. All of the credit goes to the Holy Spirit and you may never actually see the fruits of your apologetic efforts. You may spend a lot of effort and seem to have no effect. However, you may be planting the seeds that open their hearts to the faith at some future point.
 
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SocaliCatholic:
I’ve been reading these forums and was wondering what is the best way to share Christian truth? I’ve noticed many different approaches but was wondering what techniques and approaches win the most converts?

Do you speak the truth for their sake even if they are offended, and end up arguing like many apologetics converstations end up, or is it more like a friendly charismatic presentation like the preachers on televeision? How does Jesus want me to share it. Can I used the strategies I learned when I was in sales?
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I don’t know what those strategies you learned in sales are, but I can tell you that most people do know when they’re being sold something. In my case, I *hate *feeling like I’m being sold something–I prefer feeling as if I know that I’m getting exactly what I was hoping for! 🙂 Does that make any sense?

I think that is the best way to share Christianity, as well. People know what they are looking for–I think that even those that don’t realize they’re searching for Christ are still actually doing so. So maybe it’s not best to try to sell them something before they are ready for it. Let them see what it is: Lead by example. If conversation comes up, explain why you believe as you do. But most importantly: Pray. Pray that you might be an instrument of the Lord. Pray that the souls out there may be brought into the light of Christianity, whether through you or not. Pray for me, for your priest, for your friends, for all Christians, that we might all be better witnesses for Christ.

Anyway, those are simply my two cents… (And what with inflation in the past however many years, you know what that’s worth! 😉 )

Pax,
Fred
 
First and foremost, it isn’t your job to “win souls for Christ”. That is the job of the Holy Spirit. Read Matthew 13:18-23, the Parable of the Sower. Nowhere in that passage, or the corresponding ones in Mark and Luke does Jesus state that it is the sower’s job to make the seeds grow. His job is just to sow the seeds. So too is it with evangelization. Your job is to just tell the truth in love and humility. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t use some “techniques” to get people to think about their position on Christ. The one I like is the one Christ often used Himself when faced with opposition to who He was.

Whe the Pharisees tried to discredit Him in public, they asked Him where He got His authority to preach from. Jesus simply turned the tables on them and asked where John the Baptist got his authority from. Since He knew they really didn’t know, they left Him alone. You can use a similar tactic. The principle is that whoever is asking the questions is in control of the conversation.

Here is a simple conversation that demonstrates what I am talking about.

John: Why do you believe in all this Jesus nonsense?
Me: Why don’t you believe in it?
John: Because there is no God, that’s why. Jesus must just be a myth.
Me: Why do you say there is no God? Can you prove it?
John: Well, no, I can’t actually PROVE there is no God. It’s just what I believe.
Me: An what information do you base this belief on? Is it facts, or the opinions of people who you think are really smart?

That is a short, lame example, but you can see the highlights of what I am saying. Put yourself in the position to ask the questions and make the other person justify their non-belief. Do it with kindness and compassion, but you also need to be prepared to answer their questions when they come up. As it was posted before, pray. Pray hard, pray often. Ask God to make you a vessel for His work. Then study. Get a copy of the Revised Standard Version - Catholic Edition and the Cathecism. Start there and then go to Catholic Answers and buy the Beginning Apologetics series.
 
**“SPEAK THE TRUTH”
**A failure to speak the truth because of a misconceived sense of compassion should not be taken for love.
We do not have a right to minimize matters of our own accord, even with the best of intentions.

Our task is to be God’s witnesses, to be spokesmen of a mercy that saves **even ****when it shows itself as judgment on **man’s sin. “Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord’, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Mt 7:21).

Pope John Paul II
Holy Thursday Letter 2002
 
Believe me, I’ve tried it all. I even started an apologetics group back in college. Not much seems to work, but then, I was always kind of “extreme.” 😉

The best way to “speak” the truth, I think, is to not speak at all. Just live right, watch your mouth, and never, ever turn the subject to theological topics unless it naturally goes there and you’ve got the rhetorical skills of St. Francis de Sales. Or, if you’ve got a great sense of humor. Basically, you can say anything packaged in a sincere joke. Look at comedians…

But still, the most influential Christians in my life have been those who don’t just act good, they ARE good. Living an upright life is the best way. People will be drawn to you because of it.
 
The simple Truth! You must firmly believe in your “product”–the Faith, ( people tend to believe if they really think you do)… Our actions speak volumes… never ever pressure anyone… Always, always be loving! (let the Holy Spirit do the rest!)🙂
 
I second Annunciata approach. The most compelling example of catholicism I witnessed was a nun at our parish, she was obviously a walking saint.

Aside from the look of total peace that she carried despite great physical challenges, she acted selflessly and with a generosity that was boundless.

She not only inspired people to become catholic, but her example convinced many to remain catholic as well.

Peace
 
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