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Melissa
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Username: Melissa

Post Number: 200
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Monday, February 16, 2004 - 7:22 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

There is a couple at church and he works with B's brother. She and I were talking yesterday and she commented that her husband gets frustrated that B's brother doesn't stand up for Christianity when it is attacked in the workplace. They casually socialize occasionally with each other, and have been invited to their church for special events. The people from my church really don't know that much about Adventism, so I've been curious how much to share without being seen as antagonistic towards their friendship. My first "indepth" conversation with her was this summer at VBS and I asked her if she was familiar with EGW and some of their other more "peculiar" beliefs. She wasn't, but it was really our first conversation and I didn't know how much to share because I didn't want to overwhelm her. (I have learned that a lot of my friends hear a few snippits ... enough to dismiss the religion as cultic ... but are not interested in anything indepth ... and sometimes I don't know when to shut up.) On the otherhand, I know her husband sees B's brother as a "fellow Christian" and had thought somewhat of an ally until yesterday. Now, I'm wondering if it isn't time to share a little more ... particularly, I was thinking about the little booklet LAM puts out called "The Truth about the SDA Truth" (or something like that). The husband had told me in the past he thought there was something "weird" in these guys' family structure, and I told him I thought it was pretty typical for their religion, but I just don't know where to draw the line. We've talked about parent/grandparent relations, but this is different. I don't really think this couple is in anyway at risk to being influenced into adventism (he was raised in our church and has deep family ties there), but I don't want to be merely a troublemaker either. It seems a really unique situation that I would go to church with someone who works with someone in B's family. I used to wonder if God was trying to surround this family, but dismissed it as wishful thinking long ago. Having talked a little more indepth with B's sister-in-law, her best friend left adventism and she told me she re-studied everything, so it's not like they haven't been exposed to the errors. I just don't know what to do, if anything. I'd like to educate this couple, if they're even interested, just so they can have a better understanding of where he is coming from. I don't want to be seen as trying to interfere in their friendship such as it is, but giving them a booklet with some information doesn't seem too intrusive either.

Any thoughts out there?
Sabra
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Username: Sabra

Post Number: 34
Registered: 10-2001
Posted on Monday, February 16, 2004 - 8:00 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

If you are friends with them I would just say what I know, that the religion is false and they don't stand up for christianity because they really don't have any convictions other that the Sabbath. Pretty clear to me. A booklet might not be a bad idea, but they may not really want to know that much, but then, if they know more, they may be able to witness better to B's brother.
Colleentinker
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Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 75
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Monday, February 16, 2004 - 8:29 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Melissa, the Holy Spirit will help you know what to say. I really do believe that if they're puzzled or curious or making observations, you can speak the truth. I believe that the truth sets people free, even those not personally in bondage to the deception but rubbing shoulders with it, so to speak.

I think the booklet is probably appropriate unless you have some hint that they'd be resistant. Even if they don't read it right away, they will have the resource. It sounds, though, as if they may be curious enough that they'll read it. I really do believe that one of our "calls" is to educate the Christian community when opportunities arise. I've been able to say things on various occasions to my Christian colleagues, and often they've been surprised and sometimes appalled at what they've learned.

Ask God to give you His words and His wisdom. The truth needs to be spoken.

Colleen
Rey_cantu
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Username: Rey_cantu

Post Number: 2
Registered: 2-2004
Posted on Monday, February 23, 2004 - 8:52 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

my dear sister, what i have done in this situations, is, i would talk in third person, or make a story like jesus did.

i would say, there was joe, and frank, and joe believe this way and frank saw it different. (here you make you point with the story/the concept you want him to see.)

then i ask, what would you have done?

or i have said in the past, you know my brohter (talking to a sda brother) my sister alma came to visit me and told me about EGW contradicting the bible.
(I WAIT FOR HIS RESPONSE)
some times this person will start attacking my sister and i would just start saying what my sister taugh me and i prove it with the egw books and the bible. (show the contradictions) but like in a way that i am looking for the truth and need help.
you see this way, this person who iam talking to, would not be defensive against me. he would have his mind open. but if i attack back, that person will closed his mind.

is hard for me to do this now days, because alot of people know me as a former sda pastor. so they see me and we talk but you know is different.
Susan_2
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Username: Susan_2

Post Number: 490
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Friday, February 27, 2004 - 2:47 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It is always a tricky situtation when dealing with those you love. I am in a similiar situtation and often wish I had the nerve to speek up more but I generally bite my tongue because my SDA kin think I'm totally stupid at the very least and at the very most am decived by satan for no longer "keeping the commandments". Good luck to you while you try to figure out a course of action.

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