One of the greatest fears in witnessing is that we might be asked a question we don’t have an answer to. I’ve spent the last 40 years trying to find answers to the tough questions and still get stumped at times. I have three observations that may help you when this happens:
- If I’m asked a question I can’t answer, I will say, “Let me write that down and get back to you.” This way the conversation can continue on another point, and you won’t be stuck on something you don’t know. And, since you’ll be getting back to them, you’ll have an opportunity to discuss the Lord with them again. It will also show them you’re not dodging the question so long as you do get back to them. You can check with someone who might have the answer, contact this blog if you like, and give them a quick but thorough response. If you won’t see them again for a while or ever, you can ask for their email address and contact them that way. Get back to them as quickly as possible, though. Slow responses imply uncertainty about the Truth.
- John 14:26 says that the Holy Spirit will teach us and bring what we’ve learned to remembrance at times like these. So, if you’ve done your homework, don’t worry about it. God wants to draw the lost to Him even more than you do. There will still be times you are unable to answer, but there will be fewer and fewer of these as you study and share more and more.
- Devine intervention. I have had this happen a few times in my witnessing. I am caught flatfooted on a point that means a lot to the person I’m talking with. God suddenly speaks to me and gives me the answer clearly and directly. The last time this happened, I was talking to my Jehovah’s Witness friend, John. JWs don’t believe Jesus was raised from death in His physical body but as a spirit and manifested bodies so the disciples could see Him and believe. I was chipping away at this using Luke 24:38-39 when my JW friend said, “See. He had to be a spirit since physical bodies can’t disappear and reappear at will.” No matter what I said, John stuck to his guns. Then God said to me, “What about Philip?” (Acts 8:34-40) I was shocked at the clarity of the answer, so, I said to John just what God said to me: “What about Philip?” John was visibly stunned by my question and conceded the point.
Like I said, this happens rarely, and it’s not a good idea to depend on it. But, it’s sure exciting when it happens.
So, understand these techniques in your witnessing, and don’t worry that you’ll be asked a question you can’t answer. God will supply just what you need to know. If not, you can write it down and get back to them.
John 14:26 (ESV)
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
Luke 24:38-39 (ESV)
38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?
39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”
Acts 8:34-36 (ESV)
34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?”
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.
36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”
Acts 8:38-40 (ESV)
38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.
40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
Believers Armed and Dangerous 