How do I reach an elderly friend who is a Roman Catholic?
Question:
I was wanting some advice on how to go about witnessing to a Catholic lady whom I know. I am 25 and she is about 75 years old, and we have been friends for about a year now. I was working as a nanny down the street from her and use to go and visit her a couple of times a week, just to check-in and say "hi." We are now friends on Facebook, and she knows that I'm a Christian, but I'm not sure of what I should say to her concerning her faith.
I pray for her often, asking God to give her salt and light, but I'm not sure if He wants me to directly say something, and if so, I have no idea what to say nor how to say it. She is not very verbal about her faith, but her living room has many statues, pictures of Christ and Catholic memorabilia all around. She seems to be very religious and goes to her church and mass often.
As a younger woman, how should I speak with her? I don't want to seem like I'm preaching to her if that makes sense, and I'm not really sure if that is my place as a woman anyway. My mother use to be a Catholic, so I know a little about it, but I am not very knowledgeable about all its doctrinal details. How do you witness to Catholic people?
Any prayers and advice would be greatly appreciated! God bless the work you're doing!
Answer:
When Paul desired to talk to the idolaters of Athens, he found common ground. "Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious." (Acts 17:22). He could have launched into a debate about why their idols were false, but he didn't. Instead, he used one of their idols - the one to the "unknown" god -- to launch a discussion of the nature of the true God.
I would suggest the same approach. Find common things you and she both agree about to serve as a starting point in discussing what Christianity and the worship of God ought to be like. Assume she is wise enough to figure out when her worship doesn't match what the Bible says.
This type of approach is very personal. I can't tell you exactly where to start or where to take the conversation. You know her far better than I do. But every once in a while, do offer to take her to church with you. Invite her to a singing, or a special study that might interest her. Let her see what simple New Testament worship is like, and that alone will probably generate some discussion.
When making a point, keep I Peter 4:11 in mind, "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen." It is easy to dismiss a young woman's opinions, but far more difficult to argue with what God has said. Keep in mind that just giving a verse reference isn't enough. Few people will get a Bible out and look up the passage. So write out the quote, or, if you are talking face-to-face, ask her to read the passage to you from her Bible.
Of course, if a point is made that you can't figure out a good answer to, let me know and I will be happy to help you work through the issues.
