Sharing Faith with a Family Member

One of the most difficult forms of witnessing may be the attempt to share your faith with persons in your own household. Somehow with those we know and love the best, a certain awkwardness interposes itself in the process, making sharing in a natural, unselfconscious way a difficult task. Part of the problem may be that our families know us so well, and they may be quick to use any shortcomings in our own lives as justification for their lack of commitment or their spiritual indifference. "I'm as good as you, so why do I need your God?" is a common response to efforts by family members to share their faith within the household.

As in most witnessing situations, we think actions speak much louder than words. Particularly within the home, it is more effective to show your faith through actions, rather than through a great deal of talk. Words can make a person defensive; they may come across as judging or condemning. Remember that any piece of advice is an implied criticism. Thus even the most well-meaning and loving attempts to show a loved one that there is a need in his or her life may be interpreted as saying, "I cannot really accept you as you are. You must change in order to be acceptable to me." This, of course, usually is the farthest thing from the truth, but it may be how the family member perceives any verbal attempts at witnessing.

So we think the best approach is simply to show your faith through day-to-day living, to demonstrate in your own life the joy and peace which Christ brings to you. Let sharing come as a natural response to some experience or concept of mutual interest. Don't be reticent about speaking of your faith, but don't force-feed or drag the subject into conversation in an unnatural way.

Of course, there are also practical things which can be done, like inviting the loved one to special programs or services at the church, especially those in which you are to participate in some way. Or you might seek out Christian friends to provide a social framework in which the loved one feels comfortable, and can see others sharing in Christian fellowship. Recreational activities at your church, such as sports, camping programs, music, drama, etc., may be a good way to bring a family member into contact with a joyful and attractive Christian environment.

Another good way to help is by sharing literature, such as C. S. Lewis' Mere Christianity, or J. B. Phillips' Your God Is Too Small, both available in paperback from nearly any bookstore.

SUGGESTED READING

One of the best resources is “On Mission Magazine” published by the North American Mission Board, SBC. To order call 1-888-239-3990.