[Mark J Hornbacher]

Great insights, Mark! Let us know how things go with your friends!

[Mark J Hornbacher]

I think 5 minutes is usually too long. But don’t forget that your initial explanation of the gospel need not be the whole of your explanation. You can share the gospel briefly, and then check in with the person to see what they think or if they have any questions. You can ask something like “have you heard something like this before? … When? Where?” And get into a conversation in which you can expand as needed.

I’m also a fan of sharing the gospel in something more like 20-30 seconds and going from there.

[Mark J Hornbacher]

I’m glad to hear that the gospel was well-received! How did your co-worker respond, more specifically?

[Mark J Hornbacher]

Thanks, Peter!
FYI – there are a couple responses to your post above it on the thread.

[Mark J Hornbacher]

That’s really interesting that he has no particular religion but follows a spirituality like to that of St John of the Cross!

In what way(s) do you think his spirituality is like John of the Cross’s?

[Mark J Hornbacher]

Wonderful, Mack! In our OGR course, we talk about different kinds of Atheists, because that affects how you should talk to them. What kind of atheist do you think your friend is? “emotional”, “intellectual”, or “indifferent”?

From the course:
“People become atheist for various reasons and it is necessary to cover the primary reasons. They can be enumerated as follows: 1) emotional, 2) intellectual, and 3) indifferent. Emotional atheism is often rooted in an unpleasant or even traumatic experience that the atheist has had either with religious people or in the experience of some evil that caused him or her to question God’s existence. Intellectual atheism is generally about the atheist concluding in his or her mind that “God” is an irrational or incoherent concept, or that certain religious beliefs are incompatible with a modern, scientific perspective. Indifferent atheists simply don’t care either way about the existence of God.
To this list, we can add a fourth category of atheism: the practical atheist. This kind of atheist lives as if there is no God, even if he or she still claims to believe in God. In other words, the person professes with his or her lips but not in practice. Again, the only way to know where the atheist is coming from, is to ask them questions.”

[Mark J Hornbacher]

You’re welcome! I hope you will share some developments with your friend as they happen and we can be reminded to continue to pray for him specifically!

I hope that these forums can continue to grow as a place where we encourage one another along the path of day-to-day evangelization. For that to happen, we need to come back and share our successes, failures, concerns, prayers, stories, etc.

[Mark J Hornbacher]

Thanks for your faithfulness, Bryan!

I think day-to-day discernment of God’s voice on small matters like this is not a matter of determining with certainty that its God’s voice or your own. I think it’s more about determining whether it’s possibly His voice (as in, excluding things that are definitely not His voice), and then going forward with trust that He’s with you. There is not much at stake on whether He’s asking you to pray for this person or some other person. We already know we’re supposed to pray for everybody (1 Tim 2:1). When we’re more in tune with His Spirit, we’ll know that we’re getting more immediate direction from Him, but in the meantime, we can have a general trust, as we seek His will, knowing that He’s with us and guiding us in various thoughts that we have.

What are your thoughts?

[Mark J Hornbacher]

Tripp,

Have you watched the videos and used the “Building Your Testimony” reference sheet to build your testimony anew, for this practical activity? I think it has a lot of good insight on how to make your testimony impactful.

[Mark J Hornbacher]

I believe that it’s because such people have an agenda. They are protecting some cherished thing that they think that they need. Some idea about who they are or what they need to survive. And God and His Way is a threat to that. You’re right too – praying for them and showing them love is the way forward. And trusting in the Lord for He is good, and He is Savior and Judge.

[Mark J Hornbacher]

I really appreciate, in your proclamation, your focus on humility and love.

[Mark J Hornbacher]

It sounds like he needs prayer more than anything else right now. And you are in a privileged position to provide that prayer, as his son. I also will pray for him. Do you mind sharing his first name?

[Mark J Hornbacher]

Good job! Keep it up!

[Mark J Hornbacher]

That’s awesome. The Lord is good; His love endures forever!

Did you pray with her too?

[Mark J Hornbacher]

Great! Please be sure to continue the practical activity, interceding for her regularly, and praying for wisdom on how to approach her.

Also, a question: do you have a close relationship? Do you ever talk about your shared faith in Jesus and discipleship with Him?

[Author]

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