Apologetics Project W5

Having a conversation with a person of a different religion or worldview can be difficult. People face many hesitations when thinking about sharing their faith or having a spiritually focused conversation. But we don’t have to fear these conversations—and once in the conversations, we don’t have to go on a rampage. We can do this confidently and compassionately.

Read 1 Peter 3:8-17.

1 Peter 3:8–17 NIV

8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. 11 They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Leah’s Story

Think about the last time you were disrespected. Don’t share all the details, but how did that make you feel, and why?

As we near the end of our look at apologetics, it’s important to help your students realize that when they interact with people of different religions or worldviews, they need to

Being Respectful does not mean:

Cave in and change their faith.

Avoid tough topics or challenging conversations.

It means to treat other people with the same measure of respect they want to receive.

Being rude won’t open people’s hearts to the message of Jesus—but being polite, respectful, and kind just might.

You are not the ones who change lives—God does that. We are to put “rocks in people’s shoes” - Tactics by Greg Koukol.

God will use us to plant seeds of faith in people’s lives, or help water seeds that others have planted.

God makes the seed grow. God is the one who changes hearts, changes minds, changes priorities, and changes worldviews.

Do you find it easier to talk about spiritual topics with friends or with strangers? Why?

What are some differences between how you might approach a conversation with a friend who’s an atheist—or a Buddhist, or a Muslim—and how you’d approach that topic with a stranger or acquaintance who follows that worldview?

Jesus calls us to share his message with everyone—friends, strangers, family members, classmates, neighbors, casual acquaintances. He wants us to engage in conversations about spiritual topics, and anyone who isn’t a follower of Christ has the same need for Jesus’ great news. But how we approach those conversations changes based on our connection with that person. Perhaps you can be more honest with a friend—but maybe you can have a clearer conversation with a stranger because you are eager to hear all the reasons that person holds certain beliefs.

Colossians 4:5-6 “5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

What does it mean to “make the most of every opportunity”? What does that look like?

Is it possible to always have the right response for everyone, as verse 6 says? Why or why not?

What if you don’t know the right, best words to say when talking to someone of a different religion or worldview? How can you handle that situation?

During the course of your life, you will interact with lots of people with different views on faith, God, and the world. If you are going to be a strong witness for Jesus, you will need to learn a delicate balance between tactics and details regarding Christianity and other worldviews, philosophies, and religions. Don’t tell the other person what to do or even what to believe. Just share your story, explain what you know, and ask them what they believe and why they believe it. Have a conversation with them. Your words matter—but you also can ask for God’s help to know the right things to say. Be prepared, but also rely on God’s Spirit to give you insight, wisdom, words, and courage.

Share Jesus without Fear. (Handout)