How to Witness to a Close Family Member

Hundreds of millions of people these days profess to be ‘Christian’. The reality is, the vast majority haven’t a clue what a Christian is. Of course, there’s another huge chunk who are pseudo Christians, fooling everyone except God. But, there are also those of other religions, agnostics, and atheists.

Anyway, as a Christian, a genuine Christian that is, there is a perpetual desire to see our loved ones come to understand what we’ve come to experience. A real living relationship with God, which changes our life both now, and in eternity.

Last Saturday evening at our youth meeting, I once again dealt with a question which had been anonymously asked by one of them. The question was,

“How do I deal with a close family member who refuses to believe in God, or that going to church has any benefit?”

Even though Christians have no greater desire than to see their closest family and friends come to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, it’s often really difficult to talk to them.

[If you're not a Christian, then you may be thinking, just don't talk about it. If someone wants to be a Christian, then that's up to them. Don't push them. That would of course, be the easy option, and in some ways, it would be the best thing for everyone. However, the simple fact is, as a Christian, we must obey the commands of Christ, and one of them is that we share the gospel with others.]

I’m going to simply relay my notes as I dealt with this question. There are three primary points which I drew from the question. I will only elaborate where I must for clarity.

Main reading - John 1:35-42 (Andrew tells his brother Simon, about Jesus Christ).

1. The fact that you know this (know they don’t believe in God), appears to imply there has been discussion on the matter.

This is good - Mark 16:15. It’s what Andrew did.

We all must be doing this; telling people, including our family.

2. There appears to be an agnostic, if not atheistic, hostility towards God.

i) Should this stop you?

Mark 5:1-20. Note v17-19 - the locals were hostile towards Christ, wanting Him to leave, and yet Christ told the man he delivered from demon possession, to stay there and be a witness.

ii) How do you deal with hostility?

Rarely will hostility work against the hostile (that is, if someone gets upset/angry when you speak of Christ to them, getting upset/angry yourself, is not advised). Rom 12:21, Matt 5:38-48.

Debating and arguing ‘rarely’ wins (it has its place). Mk 5:20 - Live with joy before them, and speak of God’s goodness to you.

3. Why do they refuse to believe in God, or see the benefit in church?

Evolution? Lack of evidence?

Here are the hindrances…

i) Themselves

Jeremiah 17:9 - Their heart is so deceitful, they not only sin (Rom 3:23), but they love their sin - Romans 1:16-32; 2 Tim 3:4

ii) Satan

2 Corinthians 4:4 - he blinds the minds of unbelievers with lies, and the pleasures of sin because he fears the gospel of Christ, and its power to bring light and life.

Ephesians 2:1-2 - Every unbeliever walks in accordance with satan.

iii)You/Church

(There are ample texts which outline the importance of living a godly life. It’s not for no reason. God demands a holy life, any other desire in a Christian is hypocrisy).

1 Tim 3:7 - You don’t become an elder/bishop, and then live a life which people can’t point the finger at. You can only be an elder if you have had a good testimony since you’ve become a Christian.

The point is this, far to many non-Christians can point the finger at hypocrites. They know what God demands from His people better than you think.

Lastly…

Pray. There is no substitute for prayer. God alone can open the heart of anyone, you can’t do it.

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I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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