Spiritual Conversations
Resources to help you navigate Christian topics and spiritual convictions.
Spiritual Conversations Video Class
This playlist introduces how to naturally engage in spiritual conversations, especially when someone says something that conflicts with biblical teachings. The goal is to balance truth-telling with maintaining relationships.
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You need to ensure you and the person you are talking to use the same definition or nuance. At other times, you need to ensure you are discussing the same concept.
Asking, "what do you mean by . . ." helps you gather details into what they are stating and the emotions they have attached to their belief.
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This question puts the burden of proof on the one making a claim. When someone makes a claim, there is a responsibility to back that claim up with evidence.
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You can offer your concern with what they have stated and then gently give an alternative viewpoint.
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Allow the emotions behind the question to emerge. They may be hurting and not looking for an answer (e.g., asking, "How could God allow children to die?" because they have lost a child and are hurting).
Suppose there is pain or brokenness behind the question. If so, steer the conversation on the more profound need for the present situation: empathy and God's goodness amid a sin-cursed world.
Conversation Tactics
Some of the following questions and answers were taken from Gregory Koukl, Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions, Zondervan Reflective, (Grand Rapids, MI, 2019).
Navigating Cultural Issues
These downloadable PDFs offer advice for handling a variety of emotional topics and common conflicts between God’s will and human wisdom. These guides are helpful for when you want to say something but are also concerned about being sensitive and preserving the friendship. Questions? Contact Pastor Joshua at jbrueck@sturgismissionarychurch.com