Sharing the Faith with Family

[bobolink]

How do we share our faith with family members?

Sadly, my generation has been so badly let down: the faith has not been taught. I’m not interested in laying blame with this thread.

I discovered the faith in my early adult years, thanks to the Passion of the Christ, and a book about the film which my mum gave me, and particularly at university, when Catholic Answers was a big part of winning me over.

So now, how do I share the Gospel and the Joy of knowing Jesus Christ with my family members, who really do not know what they are missing, and may wonder about their odd younger brother who seems to have taken this ‘Jesus thing’ a bit too seriously. I am at a loss as to how to ‘enlighten them’. I understand God’s Grace is fundamental here, but I also feel I am a means to God’s plan, but am just not so sure what it is I should be doing to effect this.

I would be really interested in hearing what has worked for you, especially in these times when people are ashamed of their faith, embarrassed by it, and generally so ignorant of the Faith that they think it’s just a bunch of rules designed to spoil your life, or is just irrelevant to modern living, and not the true joy which God intends us all to enjoy and live.

 

[script77]

First, you need to pray to God for His Holy Spirit to help you. The bible says by their fruits, yea shall know them. Live a Christ-like life, that will catch their attention even if they don’t express it verbally. Then arm yourself with knowledge about the faith, because the questions will come in a rush!!
God is your strength, He will help you.

 

[wcknight]

I wish I had the answer for you as I have the same situation. I’ve come to the conclusion with my family that I will pray for them and just be the best dad, spouse, brother, uncle, friend that I can be.

Be cheerful, be prayerful, be spiritual, be happy and joyful. Chance are they already know about your faith and when they make the connection that your faith is the reason why you act and feel the way you do, they may be drawn to it as well.

I’ve tried talking, preaching, sharing stories, books, leading by example, etc and nothing happens so, my last resort is prayer and leaving it up to God to grant them the graces needed to see the light.

Prayer is my last stand, and I turn to my most trusted ally, Our Blessed Mother. She has never failed to come through. I believe in time they will come around. God Bless you and good luck.

 

[bobolink]

There are two motivations in this: one is that I genuinely desire the salvation of my family, and two, I desire that the atmosphere and ethos at home is more suitable to my own salvation. Basically, I find it difficult living with my family, when they are not seeking that which I am seeking: holiness. Indeed, at times, it seems to me they are a barrier to this, such that I oftentimes desire to move out, if only I had a job and could support myself, instead of being dependent on my parents. Is this very selfish of me? Does anyone have any advice on this? (Apart from GET A JOB! I am trying to address this issue!)