I am the only Christian in my family. How do I evangilize the other members

[Rosalyn]

Since I was twelve I accepted Christ. I moved in with my mother and her girlfriend when I turned 19 years old and since I turned 20 I have been going to church regularly. Normally this doesn't cause a riff in my family because I don't PUSH. They ask me "how was church?" and I talk to them until I can see them getting tired. They have been asking more questions now that they see that after so many years this Christian thing isn't just a phase. In fact, I can see the salvation of my family in this Spirit and I know that it will happen in God's time.

What I am struggling with is this: Currently my church is going to do a new evangelism training. We begin by evangelising our family members. I'm not sure they will except that this is a delicate thing and that it will take time to save them.

The sad thing about it is this, I think my whole family would be Christians if some Christians weren't judgemental and/or hypocritical. They know that their lifestyle is . a sin and so they don't go. They also know that Christians are not perfect, so they don't go.
What I have been trying to get them to understand is that its not about the people, its about the Lord, but then they always refute saying "well if that's the case I can just stay at home."

I want to hear your struggles and triumphs in evangelising your own family.

[Jeanne D]

Hi Rosalyn,
Welcome to the board.

I think you have a wonderful opportunity to lead your family to the Lord.
The things you can do to help them is to lead by example. Actions speak louder than words, as the saying goes, or as the scripture says "you shall know them by their fruit".
Continue to share the word with them. Of course I suggest you always keep them in prayer , and always ask the Lord lead you in this, that He would make opportunities for you to share with them, and that He would give you the words to say.
You can't save them, only God can, so I wouldn't worry about anyone or anything else. God loves them and wants them saved even more than you do.
Allow the Lord to move in this situation and just continue to be faithful in your walk and in your prayer life.
I don't know how long it will all take, only God does, but you do your part and trust Him to do the rest.

God bless you!
Jeanne

[1 Watchman]

We surely cannot make anyone be a Christian, of course, so all we can do is "be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks of the reason of the hope in you", as God says. Do they all see that hope, and that you are not only a professing Christian, but one who is devoted to the Lord Jesus? It is really not about "going to church", or believing in God, but whether one is "born of the Spirit" --right? That might be your response to them.

Do they see you reading your Bible in the morning or evening? A quiet testimony in your life may elicit a response and desire to have the joy, assurance, and peace that a believer has in Christ. The rest is in God's hands, I believe.

- 1 Watchman

[Gilligan]

Because of the passages below, I personally think it best to leave witnessing to non-family members. Do so only if the come to you.

"But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house." - Mark 6:4

"For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law." - Luke 12:52-53


If you do decide to try, do so only once or twice, and let it go.

"And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet." Matthew 10:14

"A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;" Titus 3:10


In my case, my parents didn't listen because they remember how smelly I was when they had to change me, and had "accidents" or had BO, and had to punish me when I was bad, so they know I'm only human, which undermines credibility.

[1 Watchman]

Gilligan, that is good counsel. If you remember Gilligan and the island, you may be as old as I am. Look up always!

- 1 Watchman

[*Living~By~Faith*]

I'm right there with you being the only Christian in my family. It makes it difficult. I hope they are able to see Christ through my actions, but the thing with that is I don't see my family very often.