Sometimes the most challenging faith-sharing conversations are those we have with our loved ones, members of our own families, close friends. After all, these folks know us, they really know us, warts and all! If anyone knows whether or not we are attempting to live according to the principles we say we espouse, they do. So that's one dimension of the challenge.
Another is that we are sensitive about causing any problems in those relationships. If we are too insistent, say, with our desire for loved ones to become faithful disciples with us, we're concerned that this will drive an emotional wedge between us. And it could, with such an approach. This reality, though, should not discourage us from at least letting loved ones know what our faith means to us. We don't pressure or emotionally coerce, but we can share as honestly as possible the difference Christ makes in our lives.
The household -- the extended family -- is a natural network of love and care. A part of that concern includes that which matters most to us, and to the others in the household. These are natural topics of discussion, not for debate, but for caring conversation. Neil Cole, author of Organic Church, observes:
“The Lord of the harvest has directed us to the oikos [household, family, friends, neighbors] to spread the Kingdom of God. This is, in fact, the way of spreading the Gospel most often put forth in the New Testament. It appears that the Lord of the harvest has indeed set us up in a particular oikos to reach people who do not know him yet.” [Neil Cole, Organic Church, Jossey-Bass, 2005]
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