Questions about witnessing

[John_Henry]

Over the years, I have developed a horrible habit of trying to avoid conversations about religion with people I know are a-religious. I never bring up my faith. On nights I go to bible study, if they ask where I am going, I skirt the issue by saying that I am getting together with friends. When the pope comes up during lunch with co-workers, I remain silent (as they bash him). I used to not worry too much about it, but my conscience is increasingly plagued by it. When I confessed it last time, I confessed to avoiding being openly identified with Christ and his Church.

I pray constantly about it, but keep falling back into it. I would welcome any comments on the gravity of this, as well as practical means to help break the habit.

 

[katherine2]

John_Henry:

Over the years, I have developed a horrible habit of trying to avoid conversations about religion with people I know are a-religious. I never bring up my faith. On nights I go to bible study, if they ask where I am going, I skirt the issue by saying that I am getting together with friends. When the pope comes up during lunch with co-workers, I remain silent (as they bash him). I used to not worry too much about it, but my conscience is increasingly plagued by it. When I confessed it last time, I confessed to avoiding being openly identified with Christ and his Church.

I pray constantly about it, but keep falling back into it. I would welcome any comments on the gravity of this, as well as practical means to help break the habit.

Its hard to give advice for a personal situation. My thought is its best to introduce this is a supportive rather than disagreable way. If they mention they were at the symphony last night, you might say, “oh, I wish I had time. we do have a lovely choir at my parish but I seem never to find time to go out in the evening”.

 

[Michael_C]

John_Henry:

Over the years, I have developed a horrible habit of trying to avoid conversations about religion with people I know are a-religious. I never bring up my faith. On nights I go to bible study, if they ask where I am going, I skirt the issue by saying that I am getting together with friends. When the pope comes up during lunch with co-workers, I remain silent (as they bash him). I used to not worry too much about it, but my conscience is increasingly plagued by it. When I confessed it last time, I confessed to avoiding being openly identified with Christ and his Church.

I pray constantly about it, but keep falling back into it. I would welcome any comments on the gravity of this, as well as practical means to help break the habit.

John, I have the same problem. I’m trying to witness more. I try to be gentle. But I tend to quiet down and then feel I’ve let the Lord down. I’ll pray for you, please pray for me.

Jesus is Lord!

 

[Church_Militant]

John_Henry, my dear brother,

I used to be like you…no kidding. Can you imagine that after having read some of my posts? I changed after I began to consider that most of what I hear are misrepresentations and misperceptions. I also found that if I know what I’m talkin’ about I’m much more gutsy and confident. A couple of things helped me greatly,

1. I took the Catholic Home Study service courses. All of them. They’re free and not that tough, but SUPER informative. So I recommend them to all and sundry, starting with “We Believe…”
   and then 'The Privilege of Being Catholic".
   Get’em here: amm.org/chss/chss.htm
2. I got all 7 of the San Juan Catholic Seminars booklets and studied them with a highlighter in hand. THEY ROCK and are one of the best resources that I’ve ever seen. The CA "bookstore " here sells them and they can also be found here: catholicapologetics.com/
3. These guys at The Bible Christian Society send out FREE audio cassettes on Catholicism that are also very good. Sometimes I give them to people who say crazy stuff about the faith and it gets the truth out. Get 'em here: biblechristiansociety.com/

Knowlege is empowering my friend and breeds confidence.
Do you know how to “give your testimony” as the Prots say? I suggest that you sit down and write out a letter telling why you are Catholic and what it means to you and what it’s meant in your life…why your life is better than before…the blessings of being Catholic…if you need an example just PM me and I’ll send you my version that I sent to a guy right here on this forum. We may not “Convert” people, but that’s not our job…that belongs to the Holy Spirit…not us. We are called to be fishers of men and to give witness by our words and actions to His power and grace in our lives. To speak the truth in love…Check out the readings this Sunday at Mass…it applies.

Pax vobiscum,

 

[caroljm36]

Church Militant:

John_Henry, my dear brother,

I used to

1. I took the Catholic Home Study service courses. All of them. They’re free and not that tough, but SUPER informative. So I recommend them to all and sundry, starting with “We Believe…”
   and then 'The Privilege of Being Catholic".
   Get’em here: amm.org/chss/chss.htm

Pax vobiscum,

Hey, that must have been you who put me on to CHSS! I’m on my 3rd book now…thanks!

Carol

 

[Church_Militant]

caroljm36:

Hey, that must have been you who put me on to CHSS! I’m on my 3rd book now…thanks!

Carol

Glory Be To God!
You’re very welcome!
Glad I could share a blessing.
Pax vobiscum,

 

[Church_Militant]

bump

 

[Church_Militant]

So…Just how do YOU share your faith with anyone who shows an interest?

 

[Darrel]

John_Henry:

Over the years, I have developed a horrible habit of trying to avoid conversations about religion with people I know are a-religious. I never bring up my faith. On nights I go to bible study, if they ask where I am going, I skirt the issue by saying that I am getting together with friends. When the pope comes up during lunch with co-workers, I remain silent (as they bash him). I used to not worry too much about it, but my conscience is increasingly plagued by it. When I confessed it last time, I confessed to avoiding being openly identified with Christ and his Church.

I pray constantly about it, but keep falling back into it. I would welcome any comments on the gravity of this, as well as practical means to help break the habit.

Try this,

Dont look at them as a potential threat because they can not hurt you. Just be all things to all people. You dont need to jump up on the lunch room table and proclaim the gospel. Just say something along the lines of the conversation at hand to start.

For example if they start talking about Christians being holy rolers or bible thumping idiots just say I’m a catholic but you dont see me preaching to you do ya? Connect with them on there level and show them that you are not judging them for there current opinion.

If they say every manor atheistic abomination possible just laugh and say hey I guess we will all find out in the end . Christian bashers are often like children feeding off of each others sillyness. It makes them feel powerful to slander God. If you except them they will except you.

I have had some people say some incredible nasty things to me about Jesus. The less I react the more they listen, the key is just not preaching. If a person doesnt wish to be reached they wont be so dont try and fix them just leave that to the Holy Spirit. You may be surprised at how possible it is to be a Christian and still be cool with people at work. Dont feel threatened by them when the real power is with you.

-D