如何在傳福音時不作個蠢蛋HOW TO SHARE THE GOSPEL WITHOUT BEING A JERK

作者：Silverio Gonzalez  譯者/修訂：楊忠道/誠之

https://corechristianity.com/resource-library/articles/nobody-likes-a-jerk

http://peddrluo.blog.163.com/blog/static/1948013122018031910569/

沒有人會喜歡蠢蛋，但這經常是基督徒分享信仰時給人留下的印象。有很多人宣稱他們在跟隨基督，但是卻用一種和耶穌的信息和方法完全相反的方式來分享他們的信仰。這甚至是發生在心存善意、好心的基督徒身上。他們希望他們的朋友和家人認識基督，卻陷入到一種不健康的分享信仰模式——讓人遠離神、而不是拉近距離的模式。讓我先從這點說起：我了解分享基督信仰是困難的。

Nobody likes a jerk, but so often this is the impression many Christians give when sharing the faith. There are many people who claim to follow Christ but share their faith in a way that completely contradicts Jesus’ message and manner. This happens even with well-meaning, kind-hearted, Christians. They want their friends and family to know Jesus Christ, but they fall into unhealthy patterns of sharing the faith, patterns that push people away from God rather than draw people near. I want to begin by saying that I understand. Sharing the Christian faith is hard.

 Rico Tice，在他《誠實的福音佈道：在困難的處境中如何和人談論耶穌》（Honest Evangelism: How to Talk about Jesus even When It’s Tough）一書中說到：「我發現向人傳福音是很困難的。佈道者的困難在於人們假定，你覺得福音佈道是不費吹灰之力的；但是我不認為這很容易，從來沒有。對我來說，告訴人有關耶穌的事，經常會讓我傷透腦筋。」

Rico Tice, in his book, Honest Evangelism: How to Talk about Jesus even When It’s Tough, says, "I find evangelism hard. The problem with being an evangelist is that people assume that you find evangelism effortless; but I don’t find it easy, and never have. For me, telling people about Jesus has often been nerve wracking" (11)"

多年以來，我一直擁有這樣的特權，就是有許多在分享信仰上似乎很有天分的朋友。他們讓分享信仰看起來很輕鬆容易。但是在跟他們談話時，我發現他們和我有一樣的困難，也有同樣的懼怕和擔憂。他們說話也會結結巴巴。以下很有幫助的八點是我從他們身上學到的：

Through the years, I have had the privilege of having friends who seemed to be naturally gifted in sharing their faith. They made it look easy, but when I spoke to them, I discovered they had the same difficulties that I experienced. They had the same fears and worries. They stumbled over their words. Here are eight helpful points I learned from them.

 1. 善意是很有用處的。

1. Kindness goes a long way.

這似乎是顯而易見的。但是當基督徒分享信仰時，太常轉為激烈的辯論。十字架已經夠冒犯人了。當我分享信仰時，我必須確定我是尊重人的、是友善的。我認識很多離開基督教的人，他們雖然認為這個信仰是真的，卻因為教會裏有很多蠢蛋而離開。當你用友善的方式分享你的信仰時，你可能會驚訝人們會更願意聆聽。

This may seem obvious, but too often when Christians share the faith, it turns into a heated argument. The cross is offensive enough. When I share the faith, I need to make sure that I am respectful and kind. I know plenty of people who have turned away from Christianity even though they think it’s true, because church people were jerks. As you seek to share your faith in a kind way, you may be surprised that people are more willing to listen.

 2. 誠實會展示尊重、贏得尊重。

2. Honesty shows and gains respect.

有些分享信仰的人會戴上假面具，裝作擁有某種特質。他們變得很「屬靈」。這個「屬靈」的人從來不會懷疑、從來不會擔憂或犯罪。這個「屬靈」的人，總是愛耶穌勝過愛生命，這個「屬靈」的人不會因尊重人而說：「我不知道那個問題的答案」。這個「屬靈」的人害怕承認，他或她可能需要認識其他人的想法。

Some people who share their faith put on a character. They become “spiritual.” This “spiritual” person never doubts, worries, or sins. This “spiritual” person always loves Jesus more than life. This “spiritual” person doesn’t respect people enough to say, “I don’t know the answer to that question.” This “spiritual” person is afraid to admit that he or she may need to learn something about what others think.

太多的基督徒害怕誠實，他們怕誠實會失去人們的尊重。其實不會。事實是：誠實經常會贏得尊重。當基督徒把人當人，而不是數字或「罪人」時，他們常會贏得尊重。當基督徒認罪時、當他們因未能展現善意而尋求對方的原諒時，他們常會贏得尊重。不要害怕作個誠實的人。

Too many Christians are afraid to be honest. They fear that honesty will lose people’s respect. It doesn’t. The truth is that honesty often gains respect. When Christians treat people as people and not as numbers or “sinners,” they often gain respect. When Christians admit their sin, when they ask for forgiveness after failing to show kindness, they often gain respect. Don’t be afraid to be honest.

 3. 平凡的談話最重要。

3. Ordinary conversations matter most.

你不需要公式、方法、計劃來分享信仰，你只需要平常心、誠實、善意和尊重人的信仰對話。試試這個：問問他們是否想聊聊基督教，有時候只要問：「我可以跟你聊一聊耶穌嗎？」就會打開話題。

You don't need a formula, a method, or a program to share the faith. You need to have ordinary, honest, kind, and respectful conversations about the faith. Try this: ask people if they would like to talk about Christianity. Sometimes just asking, “Can I talk with you about Jesus?” opens people up.

如果人們不想聊，你大概無法透過提高音量來說服他們或試著強迫他們。務必尊重他們的決定。請記得這些對話對一般人來說是很困難的，要想跟一些人有嚴肅的交談，你必須得到某種程度的信任才行。挫折感、生氣或強迫，只會將這些人推開。要有耐心。隨時樂意幫助人。不必擔憂。

If people don't want to talk, you probably won't persuade them by raising your voice or trying to force them. Respect their decision. Remember that these conversations are hard for people. To have serious conversations with some people, you need to gain a certain level of trust. Frustration, anger, or force will only push those people away. Be patient. Make yourself available. Don't worry.

 4. 你只能分享你所知道的。

4. You can only share what you know.

我發現大多數人無法分享信仰的一個重大原因，是因為他們對基督信仰認識得不多。把它想像成一種語言。讀外語比說外語要簡單得多。聆聽和理解福音比教導和談論要更為容易。要談論福音、分享福音，必須對福音的語言有一定的流利程度。這需要經常閱讀聖經、時常禱告，來達到福音的流利度。太多基督徒沒有足夠時間學習信仰。當你花時間讀聖經、禱告，並研究基督信仰，你也會發現，關於神和福音，你也會有很多話可以說。

I have found that a big reason most people fail to share their faith is because they know very little about the faith. Think of it like a language. It is much easier to read a foreign language than to speak it. It is much easier to hear and understand the gospel than to teach it and talk about it. To talk about the gospel—to share it—requires a certain amount of gospel fluency. It takes regular Scripture reading and prayer to attain gospel fluency. Too many Christians haven’t given enough time to learn the faith. When you take the time to read Scripture, pray, and study the Christian faith, you will discover that you, too, will have much to say about God and the gospel.

 5. 分享福音。

5. Share the gospel.

我們分享給人的信息，和地獄、道德或教會無關。地獄、道德和教會都很重要，但福音的信息——這是最緊要的——是耶穌來要拯救罪人。其實你不需要說服人，說他們是罪人，也不需要問他們是否遵守了十誡，只需要告訴他們耶穌在十字架上做了什麼。耶穌在十字架上受苦和死亡，就足以證明這個世界是有問題的。大多數的人都會意識到他們的生命是有問題的。談談耶穌來要做什麼，以及祂為何要來完成它。從耶穌開始，你可能會感到吃驚，竟然有那麼多人會承認他們是需要救主的罪人。

The message we share with people is not about hell, morality, or the church. Hell, morality, and church are important. But the message of the gospel—that which is of first importance—is that Jesus came to save sinners. You don't really need to convince people that they are sinners. You don't need to ask them if they keep the Ten Commandments. Tell them about what Jesus did on the cross. The fact that Jesus suffered and died on the cross is evidence enough that there is something wrong with the world. Most people have a sense that there is something wrong with their life. Talk about what Jesus came to do and why he came to do it. Start with Jesus, and you might be surprised how many people will grant that they are sinners who need a savior.

 6. 不要說太多話。傾聽。

6. Don't talk too much. Listen.

每當我分享信仰時，總有一大堆我想說的話。我想要告訴人關於耶穌完美的生命；我想要談論祂釘十字架；我想要說榮耀的復活。但我必須記得，談話不是演講，我不是在講道。我應該和人對話。丟掉原定的計畫、放棄想把你想說的東西全部說完。信靠神。享受這個交談。

Whenever I share my faith, there is a lot I want to say. I want to tell people about Jesus’ perfect life. I want to talk about his crucifixion. I want to speak about the glorious resurrection, but I have to remember that a conversation is not a speech. I am not giving a sermon. I’m supposed to have a conversation. Throw out the agenda, and give up on trying to get in all you want to say. Trust God. Enjoy the conversation.

 7. 成為基督徒會花很長的時間。

7. Becoming a Christian can take a long time.

有的時候，當人們聽到福音時，他們馬上就信了，並成為基督徒。聖靈創造信心的重生工作是瞬間發生的，但只有神可以看見。你和我看見的是人們發問、學習、懷疑、相信。沒有人會一次相信所有的事情，因為沒有人可以一次學會全部的東西。基督信仰裡有很多要學習的。

Sometimes when people hear the gospel, they immediately believe it and become Christians. The Holy Spirit's regenerating work of creating faith happens in an instant, but only God can see that. You and I see people questioning, learning, doubting, and believing. No one believes everything all at once, because no one can learn it all at once. There is a lot to learn in Christianity.

我們應該期待人們花時間去發問、表達他們的懷疑。學習是需要時間的，這就是為什麼分享信仰不是基督徒一次就完成的事。每當牧師講道時，他都應該提醒會眾，神差遣耶穌基督為罪人受死復活，是出於祂的憐憫、出於祂的慈愛。身為基督徒，你我都會在餘生學習福音。當你分享信仰時，信靠神會按照祂的時間，拯救你的朋友和家人。

We should expect people to take time to ask questions and to express doubts. Learning takes time. This is why sharing the faith is not something Christians do once. Whenever a pastor preaches, he should be reminding the congregation of the mercy and love of God in sending Jesus Christ to die and rise for sinners. As Christians, you and I will be learning the gospel for the rest of our lives. As you share your faith, trust God to save your friends and family in his timing.

總結

Conclusion

在分享信仰時，你和我一樣都會常常失敗。事情就是這樣。別擔心。當你未能表達善意、說話誠實、展示真我、分享福音信息、傾聽或展現耐心時，承認你的錯誤並請求原諒。請記得，神會用彎曲的棍棒畫出直線的。

In sharing the faith, like me, you will often fail. It happens. Don’t worry about it. When you fail to show kindness, to speak honestly, to be authentic, to share the gospel message, to listen, or to display patience, admit your fault and ask for forgiveness. Remember, God draws straight lines with a crooked stick.

Silverio Gonzalez is a husband, father, and staff writer at Core Christianity. He earned his B.A. in Philosophy from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and his Master of Divinity from Westminster Seminary California.