Student Question--"When speaking to a non-Christian, what's a good way to inform them about Christianity without making it sound like you are forcing it on them, or changing their beliefs?"

This is a great question that I believe many people have. I'll start and the end and work our way back.

First, it is important to be honest. You are trying to change their beliefs, so we shouldn't be trying to make it sound like you aren't. It doesn't mean you have to be rude about it, but I'd rather be seen as too frank than as trying to trick someone.

The "forcing it on them" perception can often be avoided by drawing lines in the right place. The person you are speaking to is a sinner, but so are you. If you come across as anything other than a humble recipient of God's saving grace who is offering the same good news to others, your witness will be hindered. It's also important to remember that even if you are humble and faithfully proclaim the gospel, conviction or rebellion in the sinner is still a possibility. The great news is that you are not responsible for this. You don't save anyone; you are just a faithful mouthpiece, God changes the heart. Scripture says people are saved through preaching the gospel, not tricks, entertainment, flattery, etc.:

ESV 1 Corinthians 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.

How? The Objective Gospel that we covered in class is helpful here. Of course you don't always have time/opportunity to do them in order, it's just a tool. It is easy to turn a conversation with a question like "... so, do you consider yourself to be a good person?"



I hope this is helpful.