Teach the Bible While Overcoming Objections
By Allan E. McNabb

In our series on Conversational Evangelism, we’re investigating four types of conversations we have with people, when talking about God and His church.

So far in this series, we’ve talked about the first three types of conversations:

• Learn about people and their religion.
• Identify common ground, based on God’s word and authority.
• Help them understand what they believe.

In this article, we’ll explore the fourth type:

• Teach the Bible, while overcoming objections.

Ask Questions to Introduce Topics of
Conversation
Jesus is the supreme example of asking questions to introduce a topic, then proceeding to teach a related lesson.

In Matthew 16:13-15, He asked the disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”  After they answered, He asked, “But who do you say that I am?”  Then He proceeded to teach a lesson on the church.

When talking with our friends and neighbors, we can introduce topics by asking questions, which often provide a  teaching  opportunity. Simply ask, “What do you think about. . . ?” and then discuss the subject.

Respond to People’s Comments
In John 3, Jesus taught a lesson on salvation when responding to Nicodumus’ comment.

Anytime someone makes a comment, we have an opportunity to talk about God and His word.  If someone says “It’s a great day!” you can respond with “God is really blessing us, isn’t He?” which may lead to a conversation about God.

This type of communication doesn’t require a complex thought process.  Just be open with people, telling them what’s in your heart, and see what happens.

Tell People About Yourself
Paul told people about himself, to teach them about God.

He told the Corinthians he was the least of the apostles because he persecuted the church of God, to demonstrate the effectiveness of God’s grace (1 Cor. 15:9-10). 

And he told the Jews he had persecuted the Way to the death, binding and putting Christians into prisons, and approving of Stephen’s death (Acts 22:4, 20).  Telling about his life, Paul also told them about his salvation, relaying Jesus’ command as spoken by Ananias, “‘Now why do you delay?  Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’”

Telling people about ourselves and our salvation, is one of the most effective evangelistic methods.  Sadly, though, it’s a tool we often neglect, possibly because of pride, unwilling to tell people about the time we were dead in sin, and the time we obeyed God’s word to be saved.

Don’t Compromise Your Faith, Communicate
We’re faced with situations where we have to speak up or compromise our faith.  In other words, we can either be silent and follow the crowd in the way of sin, or communicate our disapproval and object to the behavior.

Daniel and his friends are good examples of communicating,  rather  than  following the crowd in sin.

• Dan. 1:8-13  Daniel determined not to defile himself with an unlawful diet, and communicated to the commander.  As a result, he found a solution that avoided sin.
• Dan. 3:16-18  Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego refused to worship the king’s idol and communicated their objection.  After Nebuchadnezzar witnessed the power of God to save the three men, he blessed God.

Overcome Objections
As we talk to people about God, we come across people who voice opposition to the things we believe.

When this occurs, we shouldn’t be overcome with fear, but be happy that someone is willing to open up and share their thoughts with us.  These are the times when we have the greatest opportunity to influence people with the gospel of Christ.

In Ephesus, for example, Paul was challenged by many adversaries while reasoning and persuading the people concerning the kingdom of God.  As a result, a wide door for effective service opened to him (Acts 19:8-9; 1 Cor. 16:8-9).

We should consider it a great honor when people communicate their objections to things relating to God and His word.  Many times, these people care deeply about God’s word, and can be convinced of the truth revealed in His word.

When we’re challenged to defend our faith, we should be very careful to exhibit the correct behavior, speaking the truth in love, not reviling people who revile us, and speaking with gracious speech (Eph. 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:21-23; Col. 4:5-6).  Often, people pay attention to our behavior, more than the things we communicate from God’s word.

Summary
We have opportunities to talk about God in everyday conversation.  We can take advantage of these opportunities and spread the good news by asking questions to stimulate conversation, responding to peoples’ comments, telling people about ourselves, communicating rather than sinning, and overcoming objections with gracious speech.