How do you teach the Scriptures to an agnostic?

Question: I have an agnostic friend who was raised Catholic and believes that ‘something’ is ‘up there’ and created all of this. But he is convinced that all religion is man-made, whose purpose is behavior control and extortion. I sense that he is searching for something to hope in. Where do I begin to demonstrate…

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What do you do when people say it is wrong to speak out against homosexuality?

Question: Here lately the whole country seems to be quite preoccupied with the lifestyle of being a homosexual. It is all over the Internet, TV, everywhere it seems. And amazingly churches everywhere are ‘jumping on the bandwagon,’ so to say. So-called priests and other ‘leaders’ are actually embracing this lifestyle themselves while fighting their own…

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Does it please God when we preach and teach His Word?

Question: Does it please God a lot that we try to preach His Word and teach about Him to people? I have a gift. I can communicate very well with people, and I have the power to convince them. I am never scared of public speaking, I am an excellent speaker. When I talk to…

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How were the Thessalonians taught by God to love one another?

Question: In I Thessalonians 4:9, how were the Thessalonians “taught by God to love one another” so that Paul did not need to write to them? Are we taught in a similar way? Were other New Testament Christians taught in the same way? If so, why did apostles write to them telling them to love,…

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How do we teach against bad language?

Question: How do we teach against bad language with easy steps for rectification? Answer: The number one way to prevent bad language is for the parents and anyone else involved in the training of the child not to use bad language. Children imitate what they see and hear around them. That is their primary way…

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How do I teach a young woman who harbors anger over the past?

Question: Would you recommend specific passages that I can use for a girl who still harbors pain, anger, resentment, but who is looking for acceptance and love? I have tried to express love and acceptance to her. I think she believes me but doesn’t believe that God loves her. What can I do? Answer: You…

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How do I talk to my Buddhist grandmother about Christ?

Question: My grandma has been a Buddhist for a long time, if not all her life. I see her follow her traditions once in a while. Recently I have been scared about her salvation and I want her to know about Jesus before her time comes. She speaks in my native language, which makes it…

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How do I tell someone they are sinning?

Question: I have a slight problem that I don’t think I know how to fix, and this is concerning one of my family members.  He has been having sex with his girlfriend for a while now, and one day I stumble on to it (don’t ask me how and they don’t know I know). Well,…

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How can I help a brother become a better teacher and preacher?

Question: One brother here that is dependable when it comes to helping me with preaching and teaching.  He has very little experience but will do his best at anything I ask him to do, really a prince of a man.  A few of the members have come to me complaining about his teaching methods.  Although they all agree…

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More Than a Haircut

by Jennifer Kegley via Biblical Insights, Vol. 7, No. 5, May 2007 “Seek and you shall find” You never know when you are going to cross paths with someone who is searching for the Lord. There are people in this world who are seeking and it is our duty as Christians to show them the way.…

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The Lost One

by Edwin Crozier via Gospel Power, Vol. 14, No. 28, July 15, 2007 In Luke 15:1,2, the Pharisees and scribes grumbled against Jesus saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” Jesus responded with a parable of a lost sheep. Seeking the Lost Sheep in the Mountains Matthew 18:12 He asked how many of the…

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How Does the Lord Open Hearts?

by Greg Gwin In Acts 16 we read: “And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of…

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An Urgent Need to Study

Text: II Timothy 2:8-19   I.         It is fascinating to read well crafted prose or poetry. With just a few words, the author can communicate not only a message, but even a mood.             A.        Individual words are not flat. Even synonyms carry subtle differences in meaning.             B.        And the idea is not restricted to the English language. Languages…

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Can you suggest how a new Christian can handle hecklers?

Question: A friend of mine, who is a new believer, was asked a lot of questions regarding his beliefs by a few of our associates. Instead of being sincere questions, it seems to have been more of an attack on him. They asked questions such as “Were you there when the Bible was written? How…

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How can I convince a friend that baptism is required for salvation?

Question: A friend and I are currently studying with an individual who is stuck on the fact that baptism is, in his view, clearly not required for salvation and praying Jesus into your heart will do fine.  We go round and round and just when he starts to agree with us and we think we…

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You shouldn’t be so negative

Question: I happened on to your site because I was searching a biblical question.  I’m impressed that you want to follow the biblical pattern of the church, but you seemed to have missed one.  Jesus didn’t start off by being negative.  He talked about who His father was and who He was.  Most people won’t…

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The Work of the Church

Text: Psalm 104   I.         The world is evidence of the ability of God to design perfect systems – Psalms 19:1             A.        Everywhere we turn the wisdom of God is manifested – Psalm 104:24             B.        This same masterful designer displayed His great wisdom in the design of the church – Ephesians 3:8-11             C.        Just as man is not able…

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Gospel, Word, Truth, Seed, Doctrine

by Carl A. Allen The denominational world has tried to seek unity by teaching we are to believe the Gospel and not enforce “doctrine.” According to them we should not divide over baptism, the Lord’s Supper, instruments of music, tithing, marriage, and divorce, etc. because all of this falls into “doctrine,” and we have no…

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Can you give me some advice on how to share the Gospel?

Question: I wanted to say I have problems sharing the gospel with people, mainly because I’m not comfortable talking to people. Yes, I love reading God’s word and debating with you on His Word (not really), but I’m not good at sharing the Word with others. The only thing I know I can do is…

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Your home page took me aback

Question: I don’t remember the circumstances why I stumbled upon your web page. Upon reading the focus statement on your home page, I decided I would pass something by you for your consumption. It is rather refreshing for a congregation to unabashedly profess that the true nature of Christ’s Body and its purpose is to evangelize.…

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Is mixing Scriptures with lectures about sex ridiculous?

Question: Christians mixing Scripture with lectures to young boys about sex is so ridiculous. You people are backward. Nobody today holds the superstitious beliefs written down by people 2500 years ago and is what you call today as “holy scripture”. There is no personal god and there is no devil. It’s all in your mind. Grow…

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I have problems with my youth group. What should I do?

Question: Well, I am having some issues with some kids that I mentor. My group has both guys and girls in it, but I found a good woman mentor for the girls, so I will be handing off the girls soon.. The funny thing is I have little or no problems with the girls. It…

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Questions about James 3

Question: James 3 seems to be talking about keeping our mouth under control and not to boast about everything we can do. What is it that comes from your mouth and corrupts the whole body? To speak good things and bad things is wrong. It has to be one way. It also compares the earthly wisdom (which…

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Any suggestions for material to teach young people?

Question: I read your article on whether boys and girls swimming together was ok or not. I saw it referenced in one of your last posts. I have been explaining a little bit about watching TV shows and listening to certain music or I should say lyrics to songs how it numbs our feelings and we…

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Could I have driven my friend away by talking about my faith?

Question: An individual I know has made fun of me for doing my Bible studies and changing the way I live. At one time this person was quite helpful to me. He would take me to the store or the doctor appointments. But I started talking to him about why I was studying the Bible,…

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Why do you quote from the Old Law?

Question: I read Why We Don’t Follow the Old Testament and saw your point of view on the matter, but you do quote laws from Leviticus to justify positions. Aren’t all those laws thrown out, along with all other laws from the Old Testament? I’m not debating homosexuality here, but you do quote: Leviticus 18:22…

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How can I teach my grandfather?

Question: Hello, My best friend is my grandfather. He has never been dedicated, baptized, or read the Bible. I, being only twelve years old, have done all three. Today, I told him about heaven and H-E double hockey sticks. He doesn’t really seem to be trying too hard. I explained to him about accepting Christ…

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Does the command for a woman not to teach only apply to the assembly?

Question: I have some questions regarding I Timothy 2:11-12. Are these verses concerning a woman learning and teaching general commands or are they specific to the assembly? What, in the context, determines this? Further, I am no Greek scholar. Those who are familiar with the Greek, what is the proper understanding of verse 12? Specifically,…

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Have you read the whole Bible and memorized Scriptures?

Question: Ok, that clears up some objections.  Thank you very much, dear sir, for answering me by showing the Scriptures and not using just your own opinion.  My dear sir, I hope that you will continue to be faithful in doing that.  And may you be used by God to help me understand His words. You…

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How can you talk to someone who constantly twists the Bible?

Question: I attend a Church of Christ but my fiance practices Calvinism. He doesn’t refer to it like that, but the beliefs are the same. He and his brother are very into this religion. They get everything from a website. They believe the church age is over and that it is a sin to attend.…

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How do I convince an atheist to believe in the Bible?

Question: How do I convince my friend to believe in the Bible, as well as God?  My friend doesn’t believe in God, Heaven, the devil, anything that the Bible teaches.  This friend told me that, to her, the Bible is complete fiction.  I know that I cannot even begin to convince her that there is…

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Please Knock on My Door!

by Dick Cupp Have you ever hesitated to knock on someone’s door, afraid that those inside don’t want to hear anything about the gospel of Christ? Let me tell you of a young man who would have given a great deal just to have some Christian knock on his door earlier in his life. This…

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