Give an answer
Ask good questions
Jesus often answered a question with a question. Good questions help people examine their own beliefs without feeling attacked.
Three useful questions
What do you mean by that? How did you come to that conclusion? What would change your mind? These keep a conversation honest and friendly. Greg Koukl develops this approach in Tactics (2009).
13Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” 14They said, “Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:13-16 (WEB) · context
29Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30The baptism of John—was it from heaven, or from men? Answer me.”
Mark 11:29-30 (WEB) · context
Sources
- Gregory Koukl, Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions (Zondervan, 2009)
Why the evidence matters
If Jesus rose, His offer is real
God loves you and gave His Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish.