How to help a family member who turns from God but is open to Christian material
Family member open to Christian material
He used to claim he was a Christian, attended church, read his Bible, etc. he now says he doesn’t think any of it is real and had been just going through the motions. He knows how I feel about it.
He’s constantly “researching” and reading everything he can get his hands on about this stuff.
I asked if he’d be willing to read and watch videos on why Christianity is real to balance his research and he said he’d be more than happy to watch or read what I send his way.
I’m heartbroken over this conversation, but feel hope that he opened up to me at all and that he’s willing to talk. I’d appreciate any suggestions on what to send him.
A: First, he has been out of the Word and he has allowed the world to influence him. He might have been a church goer but was never actually saved.
At some point, you can show him the short Gospel video.
It is good he oppened up to you about this, and that he is open to go through material on Christianity. Keep him in your prayers, be open to answer his questions, and even if he doesnt...he already knows where you stand. So be light but helpful where possible after presenting these things to him for investigation. You dont want to push him away. The goal is to draw him so let these things help do that, and God working in his heart and mind.
Here are resources to help you for right now. You can send him the links directly but it would be good for you to watch the 3 free videos here together and let him ask you questions [so you can go find answers]. Leave the rest of the resources with him, and check in once in a while to see how far he's gotten through them. *If he hasnt, then its a reminder.
Also if he is on fb and does interact there and sees your posts... you can put any of the links in a post in a way that you are writing like:
FAQ #2
Why is there Suffering in the World
A: Link
Resources:
The books related 👆 are good to give him too. Audio book is fine. Amazon has them and spotify has some, but print might be more likely for him to read them.
Heres some neat stuff about Jesus, after that. (Including Lord, Liar, Lunatic article; showing he is not simply a human teacher).
If he has skeptic objections these faq can be a great help. They do go into the above 8 deeper as well. (And you can use these for social media FAQ once a week.)
Here is a Why Christianity video but I recommend it after the 3 videos at ccc.
1. Article Why Christianity
(Backup ver here)
2. Video reiterates the article well
(start @5 min mark)
Here is the Gospel video
Where he can examine himself & respond to the Gospel
After he watches it, ask "if he ever understood it that way before." And "if he sees this is an urgent issue he needs to deal with today with God". If so, let him pray, and pray over him.
If he is open to looking at the Holiness of God or to understand about Who God is, you can then offer this study - only do the "sermon study" link part for each attribute, and then consider reading some of the books listed.
*Play it on a tv since the audio is not in stereo.
> Feel free to get him ones of interest, or most of them. You can always add them to your home library after.
When we have a true understanding of God then we can have a true understanding of Fallen sinful man, and see our need for Jesus as Savior.
Help him understand that Christians are not living a life of rules legalistically. We are living out our lives & desires in freedom, because we were transformed by God into someone who by their new nature live in the righteous way, since we are led by that righteous nature in Christ. This is a way to help him understand this.
Pray God leads him to truth and converts him. 🤗✝️🙏
God bless!
Footnote:
Even if you do all this work, and minister to him, and he "comes to Christ", there is no guarantee he will not walk away again. See soil parable. But if he really is saved... he will remain saved). All you can do is be the messenger, as a faithful servant of Christ.
