Meeting a non-Christian friend for Bible, brunch, coffee, a cuppa or a beer

Lunch and beer sign

Charles Brammall reveals his tried and tested habits.

Ask non-Christian friends (or even acquaintances) if they’d like to read a chapter of the Bible with you over a drink and a snack. Suggest some venues (including your place), but let them choose so that they will feel the most comfortable. 

I have tested this out with one of the Muslim guys who works at the 7-Eleven across the road, who’s agreed to read with me a short chapter of the Bible and the Quran (which he hasn’t read). I have told him that I am genuinely interested in understanding his scriptures as well (which I am), as I am almost entirely ignorant of them.

It is also essential to be conscious of any cultural or religious sensibilities and remove any obstacles to him hearing the Gospel. So I have invited him to our place, but we would sit on comfy chairs on the front verandah, not inside, as we have a dog, which he may find uncomfortable.

He has said he’s happy to do it, but he didn’t turn up for our first meeting. So, we continue praying. In getting to know him, I have also discovered he needs a car and would like a partner, so I pray each day for these things for him and tell him so. Which he is touched by. At the risk of being heretical, I also pray that he meets a Christian girl who likes him. But who would be uncompromising and not go out with him unless he agreed to meet up with a male Christian friend of hers and read the Bible, in the hope of becoming a Christian. I pray this for many of our non-Christian friends. If this troubles you, I apologise. I may be playing with fire. Please feel free to contact me and chat about it if you feel strongly about this. 

A dear Christian friend, who I will call Kelly, met a divorced non-Christian guy, “Ray,” when she was single. He expressed interest in her, and she also developed feelings for him. He asked her out, but she was uncompromising and loyal to the LORD and said, “Thank you for your kind offer, but I’m not willing to go out with someone unless they’re a Christian. Would you be willing to read the Bible with a Christian friend of mine who’s a guy and see whether you’d be willing to surrender to Jesus?”

He was willing, so she organised for a couple of guys from her church to read the Bible with him and answer his questions (of which he had many.)  He eventually surrendered to Jesus, they married, and have advanced the LORD’s kingdom together generously and in many places and many ways for many decades. And all because Kelly was uncompromising, loyal to the LORD, and drew a line in the sand. 

Image Credit: Elizabeth Thomsen / Flickr