Tough questions - Answered !

1. Prayer - Obvious, but sometimes forgotten in evangelism. If going out to the shops or park or going to chat to someone by phone or email, etc, a 'pre-prayer' makes a big difference. ! Something like....Lord I ask that you would give whatever it takes to to reach this person, and that you would open up the way, by your Holy Spirit working, to share some or all of the Gospel with them.

2. Be friendly and loving - Be genuine, not fake, there's too much of that around ! You've heard the saying 'people don't care you know till they know you care' -this is often very true. Really listen to them, don't just make out that you are. When you ask "How are you coping with what's going on ?" , this alone can open the floodgates when it it's asked compassionately. We often have to make the first friendly move towards people as they're so introverted, especially now.

3.  Practical - Obvious I know, but needs to be said. Ask them how they are you coping ? Say "if there's any way I can help, just let me know". Make some suggestions like looking into a certain problem online that they're confused about, or offer them some money if they're desperate - even just offering in this way speaks volumes. However you could be of help basically, like helping the elderly set up a home food delivery or drop something off yourself at their doorstep that they need.   

4. Key questions  Ask them first what their opinion is about the virus situation. and where it's headng. When you've shown that you're not just 'jumping in' with your own 'religious views', but actually genuinely interested in theirs, then they'll respect your views even more. This provides a platform for you then to give the answers and the solution. Ask "Did you think this sort of thing could happen" ? Some medical experts and even Bill Gates did.  Do you think that this is just part of the evolutionary process which has always gone on via 'survival of the fittest' ? Or do you think Gods to blame for all this ? Which bring us on to the number One (5) question.........

5. Why does God allow so much suffering ?! First of all I explain that 95% of all suffering in this world is due to what people do to people. Then I fully sympathize over the 5% which is a natural cause, like cancer and C19 (possibly), etc, which hits good 'innocent' people, which is a bit of a mystery. I also explain though that we're living in a messed up (fallen) world, which the Bible is clear about, and that it's temporary suffering which none of us are immune from - everyone throughout history has suffered. I explain that throughout the whole Bible, God promises plenty of tough and painful times in this life, that Jesus himself often promises hardship and mentions pestilences/viruses in Mat 24, plus many more sufferings, but eventually, He will totally put things right. Jesus promises to wipe away every tear from the eyes of those who trust him, and brings in Eternal Paradise/Heaven. As the majority of people in Britain believe in evolution, and that they're animals, and yet blame God for suffering, I ask them 'why is it that you care so much, seeing as how there have been diseases, death and decay for millions of years ?! Caring is inconsistent with the evolution theory. The fact that you do love and care is very good and right, and this fits in with the theory that God made us to love and care deeply for one another

6.  Share a clear Gospel - It may not be the right time to share all of the Gospel at once and so just share a snippet, some of it. Starting with God as the creator of everything is paramount. That we're made in his image - so we make choices, can love and hate and think and be creative etc. Explain that the bible is full of very real people who either hated or trusted God. That prophets and Kings spoke about someone who would eventually come to the earth and sort out the biggest problem - sin. The heart of the problem is the problem of the heart. Deadly virus of the heart. Jesus lived a perfect life and died to take the punishment for everything that we've done wrong. He came back from the dead after 3 days as he promised he would and is alive today. The bible says that what we need to do is not get religious or tidy up our act and live an impressive life or walk around miserable with a guilty conscience, but just believe in Him (John 3:16). Explain that the Bible says again and again that it's through repenting ( turning to God ) to believe in His Name alone which is the only response he wants - Acts 20:21. 

Whoever calls upon the NAME of the LORD will be saved - Joel 2 , Acts 2, Romans 10. Acts 4:12 There's no other NAME...by which..saved. In Acts 16:31 it says Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. Explain that LORD means MASTER/BOSS. Jesus means - Gods Salvation. Christ means Messiah/Chosen One  Ask them if they're prepared for Jesus to be Master and Savior of their life.  Try to use their language and not slip into Christianese  ! 

7.  Persevere  If you find that when you throw out little questions and reach out in different ways, that there's no real opening to share the gospel, just be patient and persevere, they will arrive eventually. Don't pressurize yourself as the Lord will eventually come through so long as you're doing all that is asked of you. Be natural with people and God will do the supernatural !

8 . Materials  You could post or even leave a leaflet/tract in the shopping you get for them . It's easy to send them a website or utube link that helps explain why there is suffering like the C19 virus, etc, with compassionate Bible teaching and the Gospel.  Just contact me and I can send you various links and material.