How to Share Your Faith Using Instant Messaging
Online interaction has unlocked a whole new world of experiences and opportunities! Whether you're hanging out on myspace, YouTube or simultaneously IMing multiple friends while talking on your cell, online communication can be a great way to connect with others and share what's going on in your life. Have you thought about how you can use these tools to share your faith?
If you're an Instant Messaging fan and if God is at the center of your life - then naturally, God should be a topic that comes up in your IM conversations. To give you a feel for how this might work in real life, here's a brief excerpt taken from a real IM dialogue between two teens (user names have been changed):
Razzz90: so why do scientists care so much what happened in the past? why do they have to prove everything happened and such?
AlexMan89: trusting just isnt enough for some people
AlexMan89: they have to KNOW that jesus died for them
AlexMan89: they cant just trudt
AlexMan89: *trust
Razzz90: but how did Jesus die for us? just by being killed?
AlexMan89: when he was crucified he took all of the sins of everyone on earth and descended to hell
AlexMan89: by taking all of our sins he allowed us to be with god in heaven
AlexMan89: because god cannot stand any kind of unholiness such as sin
AlexMan89: yup
AlexMan89: thats why theres gods grace and he can forgive us
AlexMan89: have u accepted christ into ur heart
AlexMan89: ?
Razzz90: no. i chose not to be confirmed.
AlexMan89: no i mean have u asked god to come into ur life
AlexMan89: excluding all those religious things
Razzz90: well I pray... and I talk to God... but I don't really think all the stupid bible stories are true and all the holiness and **** is true.
AlexMan89: if u died now where would u go?
Razzz90: haha.
AlexMan89: seriously
Razz90: once your body is dead, the way you acted is just meant to impact other peoples lives... it's not going to heaven or hell.
AlexMan89: ok so u dont believe in a heaven or hell
Razzz90: no. not exactly.
AlexMan89: what if ur wrong
AlexMan89: i mean if im wrong i just look stupid maybe
AlexMan89: but if ur wrong, u spend eternity in hell
AlexMan89: so all u have to do is ask jesus to come into ur heart
AlexMan89: so do u want to accept christ and have all the rewards or not?
Razzz90: Maybe.
AlexMan89: u have to make a decision
AlexMan89: theres no in between
AlexMan89: heaven or hell
AlexMan89: all u have to do is pray and ask him to come into ur heart!
AlexMan89: if u dont want jesus just tell me to stop bugging u and i will
Razzz90: and the life everlasting. amen.
AlexMan89: just know the consequenses
Razzz90: bug me another day about it...
While Razzz didn't choose to trust in Jesus at the end of this dialogue, this IM conversation did serve as a stepping stone. It opened the door to bringing God up in future interactions between these two friends. Notice that Razz ended the conversation with "bug me another day about it..." not "leave me alone - I never want to talk to you again."
Do you have friends who need to hear about Jesus? Look for ways to bring God up in your conversations, whether you're talking online or face to face. Here are some ideas:
- If there's a tragic story in the news or you've just watched an action movie that depicted the violence of the world we live in - find out why your friends think bad things happen and where they think evil comes from.
- If someone you know is depressed, hurting or struggling with an addiction - ask them where they turn for strength and comfort.
- If someone you know has died or is battling a serious illness - ask your friends what they think happens when you die.
These are just a few examples of how to turn a conversation toward God - if you pray for opportunities and then watch carefully, you'll be amazed how often opportunities come along. Next time you have the chance, take 'the fork in the road' that moves an ordinary conversation into an opportunity to share with your friends about your extraordinary God and His gift of salvation!
