How to Help Somebody to Be a Christian

Getting Started

Meet a person that you think is not a Christian. It's not unusual by talking and getting some indications that you may socialize and get feelings about beliefs.

Give sincere compliments for a reason. Tell why you said those nice remarks: A sincere compliment can be explained to get someone to warm up to you. But be careful not to say something too personal (or comparing to others) that may make him or her feel uncomfortable. Be nice, but not gushing with artificial sweetness. Be real...

Continue talking and activities to make a friendship as you naturally do! Mention work, school, church (like church activities) as one way to draw out reactions to such topics without aiming straight at spirituality.

Listen and remember the answers (make some notes later -- to be sure to remember) because you asked some interesting questions that got them to communicating! Most people love to talk about themselves--to start it. "What classes did/do you like?" "Have you seen/heard (Insert-Something-Here)? What did you think of it?"

Keep questions light and not prying into very personal matters. Don't ask too many questions, but just stop and try another idea to discuss, if he or she is not interested and talking about your topic. Don't seem to teach or lecture...

Try not to imply that you need or want to help this person. Be an interested friend, but be aware of attitudes and ideas about life!

Invite your friend after being a friend for a few weeks or several months to go to church with you. When the service is over, ask whether it was interesting or how s/he liked it. Don't act defensive or argumentative about personal opinions, if the person did not understand or enjoy the service.

Talk to your friend about the immediate, real benefits of becoming a Christian such as being filled with happiness and receiving power from God.

Be courageous, so do not feel like being nervous is bad. It's great to have butterflies when you try something that seems iffy. What if it is unwelcome; well, just don't push or pull. If the reaction gets a "Didn't like it...", that's not a problem to attack.

Relax; you're friends. Don't apologize for inviting or asking about a visit to church.

Smile and do not insist: be naturally thoughtful as a friend should be, and if possible do not lose your friend by over-pursuing; your are not a stalker... Do an invitation again in a few weeks or a couple months as a friend.

Try to get enough of a show of interest to talk about the story of Jesus. Hurray, for you, the missionary who is going into your community, school and in your social life!

Encourage your friend to be a Christian by sharing examples and testimonies of how people find God and as He miraculously helped others -- and can also help them being a Christia.

Talk about the idea that "everyone has sinned (done wrong), and come short of the glory of God." So, we do not meet the standards of our Holy, Perfect Loving-God.

Talk about the fact that there is a promise of the miracle of receiving the Holy Spirit available to everyone who asks.

Eventually if you can work it in, then talk, discuss, explain about accepting God's plan to be saved from "the wages of sin and death," and read Ephesians 2:8-10. for example it says basically how to receive salvation is: "... by grace, through faith; not of yourself; it is the gift of God; not by working, because people could boast (or brag) -- and to be saved to do good things that God has already prepared for us to do them... and to love each other as Christ has first loved us"..."

Prayer of Repentance for Receiving Salvation

Consider that when/if you feel that it will be accepted, then to ask to pray. But talk about it first for your [willing] friend to desire/agree to repeat after you in a simple and self explanatory prayer of repentance -- being willing to change ones mind and ask for salvation -- to be saved as a free gift from God. If you prefer then get a Pastor or Minister to explain and lead the prayer.

Be sure your friend understands the purpose of such a prayer to repent -- to desire and plan to change, and that one will always continue to ask for help and forgiveness and to confess moral mistakes and failings. Your basic prayer may be something like this: "Heavenly Father, Dear God, I am sorry for all the wrong things I have done. I know that You really love me, and I come to You without pride or any demands. I want to change, but I know I never will deserve Your perfect love, Father, and your gift of forgiveness. I know that Jesus freely gave Himself to take my place, died for me and rose from death by your power to save me from being lost. Thank You, Jesus, for helping me to love others and do right for people. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for everything that You are doing in my life, and answering prayers when I ask You unselfishly because I believe You. Thank You for saving me -- giving me a new life -- and for the gift of your love and the Holy Spirit to guide and help me. I ask all of this in Jesus' name. Amen"

Encourage them to praise God. It is like when someone wins a big prize or a big team victory: You glorify the winner, Jesus Christ, your team and your God. It is like that and much bigger than that...