Ask Dr. Youssef: “How can I effectively engage others in conversations about Christ?”

QUESTION:

“How can I effectively engage others in conversations about Christ?”

ANSWER:

When you share the Good News of Jesus, don’t let people maneuver you into pointless debates. They may try to get you to defend this politician or that failed church leader or some historical event. Instead, keep bringing the conversation back to Jesus Christ and His love.

For example, an arguer might say, “How can any thinking person believe in Christianity? Look at all the hypocrites in the church.” You might respond: “Yes, there are hypocrites in the church. Jesus predicted it would be this way. In Matthew 13, He compares the church to a field of wheat. An enemy (Satan) comes in and plants weeds among the wheat—false Christians. You claim that hypocrites in the church disprove Christianity. No, hypocrites in the church merely verify that the words of Jesus are reliable and true.”

Some people are honest inquirers after Truth. Others simply want to win arguments and make others appear foolish. If you answer gently and respectfully, supporting your claims with logic and Scripture, God can use that conversation to change hearts and minds (see 1 Peter 3:15). God has called you to speak His Truth. Prepare yourself by bathing your mind in His Word. Put on the full armor of God. And always be ready to give an answer for the hope you have in Christ.