In the last few posts we have been discussing how to
use logic in our efforts to evangelize the next generation. Using logic as an
evangelism tool can be delicate work because words can be twisted out of
context and made to prove points that clearly are not accurate. However, if we
hope to reach young people with the gospel, we must learn to use some level of
logic in our efforts.
This is important because many honest skeptics are
sincerely looking for truth. We should seek to answer their questions not only
with Scripture but also with logical conclusions based on evidence God has
clearly built into the universe He designed.
We can also expect to encounter dishonest skeptics
who just want to argue. Dishonest skeptics are a greater challenge because,
despite their claims to be open-minded, they are not actually interested in
learning from other perspectives. Christians must be careful not to their waste
precious time and energy arguing and debating with those who are not interested
in hearing the truth. Instead, Christians should focus on those who are
actually looking for truth. Christians should help honest seekers discover the
logical path toward God.
Though that path will require faith, it does not
require blind faith. Christians must remember John 6:44, which teaches, “No one
can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him” (HCSB). When the Spirit
begins to draw people to Christ, those people begin to see God in various ways
because God will reveal Himself along the way. A realization of God’s presence stirs
up faith in them, which allows them to look more earnestly for God. The result
is that when they finally come to faith, it seems like the most logical
conclusion they could possibly make.
Christians who want to witness effectively to young
people will trust more in the Spirit and less in their own debating skills. That
does not mean Christians should not be able to defend the faith. It simply
means that once we have shown people the truth, we must step back and give
those people time to process what we have shown them and give the Spirit time
to work in their lives.
We must not allow our human tendency to get angry
with those who disagree with us to emerge. Arguing from anger never produces
positive results. While we wait for young adults to process what we have shared
with them, we must engage in earnest prayer for them. James 5:16 reminds us,
“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (NIV). We
should never underestimate the power of prayer. In our evangelism efforts, it is a tool that
that can soften the hardest heart. If Christians spent more time in prayer for
their non-Christian skeptical friends, we would find that the Spirit would
empower us with the right words to say and the wisdom to know when to say them.
Let us commit ourselves to more fervent prayer.
Adapted from Dr. Dorsett’s book, Mission Possible: Reaching
the Next Generation through the Small Church, published by CrossBooks, a division of Lifeway Christian
Resources.
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