CoJourners: Learning to Share Your FaithSample

Gentle Persuasion

Dealing with questions and issues people raise in spiritual conversations requires preparation. But preparation is more than learning right answers. It involves cultivating right attitudes—gentleness and respect. Gentleness is not usually a term we associate with witness, but it should be. This is especially true in the role of the builder. We should respond to the openness and interest of others with gentleness and respect. And those same attitudes are needed when we encounter questions and objections.

Gentleness is strength under control. Think of a powerful stallion. Though its strong, it can be safe, if it’s been trained. You can’t be gentle without strength. A person without strength is not gentle, but weak. Likewise, a person whose strength is unrestrained is not gentle, but dangerous. It is gentleness that makes us safe to others, enabling them to be open and honest. By itself, the truth can be threatening and right answers can alienate. But when truth is coupled with gentleness, it can open the minds of the resistant.

Thought: Jesus was not only powerful—he was gentle. 

Take a Step: Ask God to make you safe for others to be open and honest about their spiritual journeys.