Witnessing to Family and friends

**francis** · July-3rd-2010, 02:58 AM

I've been brought up on a catholic family. But as i grew up i began to seek God and thus be born again.

I am at this point at the moment specially I wish to witness to my own family and friends and it's quite hard.

Brothers and sisters, share Christ's grace on where to start? And help me pray regarding this matter?

Thank you very much God Bless you all!

**mattfivefour** · July-3rd-2010, 06:10 AM

There are a number of former Roman Catholics on here who can help you. But you could also read Roman Catholics: What Must I Do To Be Saved? on our site. It was written by a former Catholic named Mike Gendron. His site is an excellent one for resources to witness to Catholics. Here is another article by him: Rescuing Precious Souls from the Bondage of Religion.

I pray this helps.

**readytogo** · July-3rd-2010, 04:06 PM

Hi Francis,

I grew up Roman Catholic although I had Baptist relatives and friends. I was able to attend church with them occasionally as a I child, which is where I first heard the gospel. Although, it's "worked" for others, I can tell you what did NOT work for me (or any others of my family). And that was "attacking" them about what they believed or thought that they believed. It was more effective getting them to think about Jesus Christ---and what they know or have been taught about Him. The majority of Catholics believe (or say that they believe) that Jesus came to die for the "sins of the world". The goal is to get them to realize 1) that He could do this because He was in fact, God in the flesh and 2) that He died for their personal sins. (Come to think of it, witnessing to Catholic friends is very similar to witnessing to just about anyone else. If they're practicing Catholics, you've got a good base to start with...) If you haven't already seen "the Way of the Master" method of witnessing, I would suggest that you go to their website to "study" it. Very effective. And, first and ABOVE ALL, pray! Pray before you approach them, pray during your "talks", and pray afterward. And live in a way that they would want to know why you are "so different".

and

**francis** · July-4th-2010, 02:03 AM

Thank you very much.

I guess i still have a long way to go in studying and i'm an adept and thus need to grow on witnessing to others. I have the spirit and the drive to bring people to Christ but I still need to gain more confidence in doing so.

**mattfivefour** · July-4th-2010, 10:32 AM

Just remember this, though, francis: the two expressions we use "leading someone to Christ" and "bringing someone to Christ" are not truly correct. Only the Holy Spirit can bring someone to Christ. Only He can prepare their hearts. Only He can remove the darkness. Only He can cause their spirit to see the Truth.

All the Bible tells us to do is "take the gospel and proclaim it to all". In the same vein it tells us that we are His witnesses. In other words, we testify to the truth of who Jesus is. And we do that not only by our words ... but by our manner of life that gives proof to our words.

**francis** · July-4th-2010, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by mattfivefour

Just remember this, though, francis: the two expressions we use "leading someone to Christ" and "bringing someone to Christ" are not truly correct. Only the Holy Spirit can bring someone to Christ. Only He can prepare their hearts. Only He can remove the darkness. Only He can cause their spirit to see the Truth.

All the Bible tells us to do is "take the gospel and proclaim it to all". In the same vein it tells us that we are His witnesses. In other words, we testify to the truth of who Jesus is. And we do that not only by our words ... but by our manner of life that gives proof to our words.

Thanks for clearing it up, and I totally agree.

**myinnuendo999** · July-5th-2010, 01:04 AM

Originally Posted by readytogo

Hi Francis,

I grew up Roman Catholic although I had Baptist relatives and friends. I was able to attend church with them occasionally as a I child, which is where I first heard the gospel. Although, it's "worked" for others, I can tell you what did NOT work for me (or any others of my family). And that was "attacking" them about what they believed or thought that they believed. It was more effective getting them to think about Jesus Christ---and what they know or have been taught about Him. The majority of Catholics believe (or say that they believe) that Jesus came to die for the "sins of the world". The goal is to get them to realize 1) that He could do this because He was in fact, God in the flesh and 2) that He died for their personal sins. (Come to think of it, witnessing to Catholic friends is very similar to witnessing to just about anyone else. If they're practicing Catholics, you've got a good base to start with...) If you haven't already seen "the Way of the Master" method of witnessing, I would suggest that you go to their website to "study" it. Very effective. And, first and ABOVE ALL, pray! Pray before you approach them, pray during your "talks", and pray afterward. And live in a way that they would want to know why you are "so different".

and

Right on readytogo

And, first and ABOVE ALL, pray! Pray before you approach them, pray during your "talks", and pray afterward.

**Andrei** · July-5th-2010, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by readytogo

If you haven't already seen "the Way of the Master" method of witnessing, I would suggest that you go to their website to "study" it. Very effective.

The Way of the Master method was applied on me, and it worked great! I have to admit I had given up on the catholic teachings a few months before being witnessed to, but for the wrong motives, of which I'm ashamed.

I tried witnessing to my father several times using the same method, but he's stubborn and therefore trusts his priests and 'saints' more than he trusts his own son. My mother doesn't care at all about where she'll spend eternity, and she doesn't even want to talk about it.

It can take anything from three hours to three decades (or more) of witnessing for people either to get saved, or reject Christ completely. Prayer is the key here, though. Ask the Lord for guidance and also to open your family's and friends' minds and hearts, so they can see the truth; if they decide to die in their sins, ask God to help you accept their decision. But keep in mind that as long as they breathe, they need to hear Christ's gospel!

for you and your loved ones.

**francis** · July-9th-2010, 01:17 AM

Originally Posted by Andrei

The Way of the Master method was applied on me, and it worked great! I have to admit I had given up on the catholic teachings a few months before being witnessed to, but for the wrong motives, of which I'm ashamed.

I tried witnessing to my father several times using the same method, but he's stubborn and therefore trusts his priests and 'saints' more than he trusts his own son. My mother doesn't care at all about where she'll spend eternity, and she doesn't even want to talk about it.

It can take anything from three hours to three decades (or more) of witnessing for people either to get saved, or reject Christ completely. Prayer is the key here, though. Ask the Lord for guidance and also to open your family's and friends' minds and hearts, so they can see the truth; if they decide to die in their sins, ask God to help you accept their decision. But keep in mind that as long as they breathe, they need to hear Christ's gospel!

for you and your loved ones.

Yes indeed! For the power of prayer is through Christ and by the Holy Spirit...