With everything that has been happening this past week I wanted to post a few notes on how to share the Good News with gay and lesbian friends and family. I am by no means an expert on this subject but working in college ministry we find there are students struggling with homosexuality and same-sex attraction in our ministry pretty much every year. They often come to us asking for answers. It is important to remember that sin is sin and we should NEVER look down on them thinking their sin is worse than other peoples' sin. We should love them with open arms the same way Christ has loved us.
Here are their main points for sharing your faith with gay and lesbian friends you know: 1) See a person not a homosexual, 2) be willing to listen, 3) point your friend to Jesus not heterosexuality (1st things 1st), 4) don't expect to know all the answers and 5) give them hope for something better. Get those points in full detail by clicking here and please check out the Exodus resources page here.
I would also encourage you to listen to Mike Haley's testimony and share it with them (this is one of the best testimonies you will ever hear, Mike turned to Christ from the gay lifestyle and now has a wife and kids and has an incredible ministry to that community in our country - here's part 1 of his testimony and here's part 2). If you like Mike's testimony check out his book, "101 Frequently Asked Questions about homosexuality" here. If you have time you should also check out "Ministering to the Gay and Lesbian Community." Also, for very revealing stats and peer reviewed resources that support Biblical truth about this issue check out these notes (but on that note, be sensitive about how and who you share those resources with).
More important than anything though is to genuinely love them. They need to know you accept and love them as a person. In that context of authentic Agape love you can share the hope we have in Jesus with them. I'm sure I'll write more on this later but I know it's on a lot of your minds right now so I wanted to share a few resources with you. Finally, check out the short version of Mike's testimony here (but also, please, check out his full testimony linked above). I hope you have a great day and please share the Good News with your gay and lesbian friends.
Here are their main points for sharing your faith with gay and lesbian friends you know: 1) See a person not a homosexual, 2) be willing to listen, 3) point your friend to Jesus not heterosexuality (1st things 1st), 4) don't expect to know all the answers and 5) give them hope for something better. Get those points in full detail by clicking here and please check out the Exodus resources page here.
I would also encourage you to listen to Mike Haley's testimony and share it with them (this is one of the best testimonies you will ever hear, Mike turned to Christ from the gay lifestyle and now has a wife and kids and has an incredible ministry to that community in our country - here's part 1 of his testimony and here's part 2). If you like Mike's testimony check out his book, "101 Frequently Asked Questions about homosexuality" here. If you have time you should also check out "Ministering to the Gay and Lesbian Community." Also, for very revealing stats and peer reviewed resources that support Biblical truth about this issue check out these notes (but on that note, be sensitive about how and who you share those resources with).
More important than anything though is to genuinely love them. They need to know you accept and love them as a person. In that context of authentic Agape love you can share the hope we have in Jesus with them. I'm sure I'll write more on this later but I know it's on a lot of your minds right now so I wanted to share a few resources with you. Finally, check out the short version of Mike's testimony here (but also, please, check out his full testimony linked above). I hope you have a great day and please share the Good News with your gay and lesbian friends.
When you say that their sin is just like our sin, are you saying that homosexuality is a sin?
ReplyDeleteGreat question. I didn't say that, God did. Read Rom.1:25-32 and 1 Cor.6:9-10. The hope though, is 1 Cor.6:11. If someone is a Christian they must believe God's Word to be true - if not, I can't really claim to be a Christian. That being said, all of us are sinners that desperately need a savior. That's the whole point of the gospel. God came to save me from my sin both. I obviously agree with the Bible and think science does too. Feel free to check out some of the stats linked in the post. They are pretty shocking. This lifestyle is very dangerous and I don't think it is loving to pretend differently. That all being said, I have numerous gay friends who I love, respect and hope the best for.
ReplyDeleteGreat information, thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome!
ReplyDeletewhat if someone thinks they have attraction to the same sex but they don't actually consider themself as being homosexual or gay? how do they get those feelings to go away?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your question. Check out http://www.eternityimpact.com/Integrity.html for ideas on that and know that you are loved by Jesus, you are not a mistake and He will work in and through you to do His will. Let me know if you want to talk more about that!
ReplyDeleteMy wife is very good at sharing with people regardless of their sins. I have a hard time puahing my roots asideand blantently admitting i have judgemental tendancies. I would like to talk with the person who wrote this article, you seem knowledgeable on this topic and I am researching it. If I could pick at your brain it would be much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteWould love to talk. Feel free to email me at neherbst@hotmail.com - I look forward to hearing from you!
ReplyDelete