Bible Question:

I want to bring up God with my friends and tell them God's Word. I do not want to seem overbearing, like I am trying to force them into something. So how can I bring up God with them and actually get my point across to them?

Bible Answer:

Anyone who has ever shared Jesus with someone he/she cared about or anyone who teaches or preaches has had the same struggle. We want them to “get the point” because we are concerned about them. The Holy Spirit has given us the answer to our question in the following verse.

. . . which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. (NASB) 1 Corinthians 2:13-14

This passage says a non-Christian cannot understand the things of God unless the Holy Spirit teaches him or her. We cannot “get them to understand.” Only the Holy Spirit can help them. Notice the words “Not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit” tell us that the Holy Spirit must do the teaching. Also notice the message about Jesus is “foolishness” to them and they do not understand. If we put it all together, we find out that we are only responsible for sending the message. It is then up to the Holy Spirit to do the rest. They will not hear unless we tell them about Jesus (Romans 10:14). We cannot “get them to understand the point.” That is the ministry and work of the Holy Spirit. He must help them understand spiritual things.

Conclusion:

When I teach, preach, or share Jesus, I have to remind myself that the Holy Spirit is the real teacher and not me. If someone tells me my message is great, I know it was the Holy Spirit who made it great because He applied the message to the heart of the person. He helped the hearer to understand spiritual truth. So I teach or preach and trust the Holy Spirit to cause me to speak the words He wants to use. If I were in your place, I would ask the Holy Spirit to cause me to speak the words my friends need to hear and I would ask Him to apply those words to their hearts. I want to encourage you to do that and let us know what happens. Praise God that you desire to share Jesus with your friends.

Suggested Links:

Searching for God
What does the Bible mean when it says Jesus is the only begotten Son?
Nicodemus