Answers
By Billy Graham • April 16, 2015 • Topics: Evangelism
Q:
A young couple just moved into an apartment near us. We invited them to our church, but they said they aren't interested in religion and prefer to keep their weekends free. How do you get through to people like this?
A:
I’m thankful you’re concerned about this couple, and that you want to help them build their lives on a solid foundation of faith. Many young people today are just like they are — morally and spiritually adrift, and yet not even aware of it. The Bible warns us against being “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:4).
Although they’ve rebuffed your invitation to attend church, go out of your way to be friendly and interested in them (without appearing nosy or overbearing). Ask God to give you a genuine love for them, and to be the best friends you can possibly be. Do others see Christ in you — in your love, your patience, your peace, your joy, your helpfulness? Our most effective witness often isn’t what we say, but what we are and what we do. The Bible says, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders…. Let your conversation be always full of grace” (Colossians 4:5-6).
The most important thing you can do for this couple, however, is to pray for them. Only God can open their eyes to His truth, and only God can show them the emptiness of their lives and draw them to Christ. The Bible says, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).
The greatest gift we can ever offer someone is the same gift God has given us — the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. Ask God to make you a “gift-bearer” to those around you. “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15).
