How do I teach someone? It just doesn’t come naturally to me.
Question:
Hello,
I wanted to thank you for your web site. It's such a valuable resource to my studies and very informative and helpful.
I have a question of my own if you don't mind. As Christians, we are to be evangelists and spread the good news. I have taken extensive notes throughout my life and know a lot of Scriptures related to salvation. With that said, I still struggle to actually teach someone. It's not something that comes naturally, but I know that's not an excuse. I just struggle to put together a coherent plan and guide someone from A to Z to the point where they have scripturally what they need to make an informed decision on being baptized. Is there any literature, or anything that you know of that can help me in this regard? I have a lot of friends and family who I want to speak with about becoming a Christian. I have tried before, but I didn't do a good job in my opinion. I know that not everyone will want to hear what I have to say, and some will reject the truth, but I at least want to make sure that I am competent in what I do. Any help that you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you and God bless.
Answer:
"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase" (I Corinthians 3:6).
What is holding you back isn't your knowledge, but making the task daunting by thinking you must do everything. Paul didn't convert everyone he taught. A lot of conversions came about because Apollos came after him and added to what Paul taught earlier.
However, the reality is that it is God's word that reaches people. People, like you and I, are just messengers.
Rather than thinking that you are only successful if someone you teach is baptized, you should realize that God is looking for people to plant seeds and water what someone else planted earlier. Let the people you met each day come away with just a little something to think about. "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers" (Ephesians 4:29). Use that wealth of knowledge to perhaps mention a verse that tells someone a better way to handle their anger, deal with a wayward child, reasons to stop lying, etc. Tell people who do something right that they did well because God, in His Word, approves of such an action.
Eventually, you are going to find someone who wants to know more about what you know. You can talk about why a certain denominational belief doesn't match what you find in the Scriptures. For example, I was given such an opening just today. A young man mentioned reading a book about "the end times." While I didn't get a chance to talk about why the common denominational view isn't like the Bible, we did have a good discussion about Romans 1, how the Greek society decayed, and how society today is following the same track. We didn't get into the second coming, but I did plant the seeds that the Bible is accurate, that this particular passage isn't talking about the final days of the world, and that its teachings are relevant for today. And better, I have an appointment with the young man later this week to talk about the Bible. That last doesn't often happen, but it is wonderful when you see interest in God's Word and you can arrange to talk about it more fully at a more convenient time.
Most of the time we really only have a few moments to interact with a person. When someone says something, especially anything remotely religious or moral, take a few moments to ask questions to better understand where they are coming from and then point out some passage that might apply to the topic. Even if you don't get far, you've planted a seed that might just germinate later.
Question:
Thank you for your swift reply. My heart is sometimes heavy because I feel I haven't done enough to convert those closest to me to the Lord. I guess I have to realize that it's a constant progression, not only by talking to them but by being an example to them with the way I live. It pains me to think of anyone dying lost, especially a loved one, but I guess I have to just make the most of every opportunity no matter how small, and let God's word do the rest.
Answer:
Better to do something small now than do nothing at all because you are waiting for the perfect opportunity.
