Follow-up Archive

November 17, 2004

Responding to Objections about Jesus

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OK, you just had a mission moment-a moment God gave you to share His truth and love with someone. Then came the objections. Statements like, "You're being intolerant!" "I just can't believe in a God who would tell me what I do is wrong" "All religions teach the same things" "It's just about being the best person you can be," and the dreaded, "That's good for you, dear," threaten to derail your conversation.

Objections are actually a good thing. Here's why. First, if the person is offended, it means you expressed the Gospel correctly. The Gospel is an offense (John 6:61) and a stumbling block (I Co 1:23). Second, objections can be a sign that the message has reached the heart. It is often uncomfortable when truth hits close to home and people will try to deflect or put up a smokescreen, like the Samaritan woman at the well in John chapter 4. In this mission moment, Jesus confronts the woman's rebellious lifestyle and she tries to change the subject away from herself to the controversy between Jews and Samaritans about where to worship. Jesus gently brings the conversation back to salvation in Himself and worship in spirit and truth. A third positive thing about objections is that they can reveal real concerns, misconceptions, and even bad experiences in the person's life to which you can respond with clarification and genuine care.

Objections are often key to advancing a moment of Gospel proclamation into a meaningful discussion about a person's relationship with the one true God. The end goal is discipleship -that this person, by the power of the Holy Spirit, would become a fully devoted follower of Christ. Your conversations are one way God brings His Word to them. Dealing gently with objections that arise during faith conversations and in response to proclaiming the Gospel are actually a beginning stage of discipleship. You are helping others get to know God, clearing up misconceptions, addressing hurts, and sharing the difference being a follower of Jesus makes in your life. You are pointing the way to Jesus so that someday they will say along with the Samaritans in John chapter 4, "Our faith is no longer based on what you've said. We have heard [Jesus] ourselves, and we know He really is the savior of the world." *

This article includes tips to P-L-A-N for responding to objections, resources for digging deeper, and examples for practicing on your own or with a group. If you have any questions, or want to share your ideas and stories, please contact Lutheran Hour Ministries at equipping@lhm.org.

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(*John 4:42 God's Word to the Nations Translation)