Do you have friends and family you’d like to talk to about your faith? A good place to start is with talking to God about your friends and family. Ask him for opportunities to speak with them. If that is how you are praying, you’ll be more likely to recognize opportunities when they come – many of us don’t!

A coworker says: “We’ve got a teatime on Sunday morning but one of our guys can’t come. You interested?” That’s an opportunity. A gracious answer might be, “I’d love to, but I go to church. Maybe I could go to early service this week.” Something as simple as that may lead to another question: “You go to church every week?” And that to another. Pray for opportunities.

Second, lead a life that raises questions. “I was sure you were going to tell him off. Why didn’t you?” “Why are you still taking to her after what she did?” “Are you guys always have people over to your house?” “I’ve noticed you don’t put people down. Are you, like, religious or something?” “You volunteer at the food pantry? What’s that like?”

Third, get prepared. Try taking a practical apologetics course. (Christianity Explored is one option offered in local churches around the world.) Read a book on the subject. Ask questions of people who have been around for a while – the questions you’re afraid someone will ask you. There are answers – good ones.

****************

People want those answers … but they need the Answerer. In the end, answers don’t satisfy; the Answerer does. The best thing we can do for others is to follow St. Peter’s advice and set apart Christ as Lord in our hearts. It’s our relationship with Jesus that makes our kingdom conversations worth having. It makes all the difference.