How do I persuade my parents to become Christians?

Author : Tom Rainwater

QUESTION: How do you save your parents when they strongly believe in another religion? I am desperate to save my parents before they die. And I also pray for them most of the time. Please help me. I am a Christian, and only 11 years old.

ANSWER: Hi! I appreciate your faith and your concern for your parents. You are showing a great deal of maturity for your age.

It’s hard for me to know exactly how to approach your parents since I do not know them personally. What religion are they? Perhaps I can find some material to help. In the meantime, here are some things that would be good for you to do and remember:

Be PatientFirst of all, I’m sure you realize that you can’t make your parents change their minds. They will have to do that on their own. They will probably not like being pushed to change, and you will have to have patience with them. It takes some people a while to change the way they think.

“And we urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

Be a Good ExampleSecondly, your example (how you live) is the best teacher you have.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”(Matthew 5:16)

“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (1 Peter 2:11-12)

If your parents can see how devoted you are to Christ and that you are truly a righteous person, then perhaps they will come to respect your faith and be more receptive to what you have to say.

Be StudiousThird, study your Bible and learn as much as you can.

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV)

Since you are young, you will have a head start on a lot of people who waited till they were older to become a Christian. The more Bible knowledge you have, the better you will be able to answer questions and defend the faith against other religions.

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear…” (1 Peter 3:15)

Your studies will also help you grow and be strong spiritually.

“…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…” (2 Peter 3:18)

“Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come…” (Ecclesiastes 12:1)

Be PrayerfulFourth, if your parents are not listening, then prayer is very important (as you already know). Keep praying to God that your parents might someday see the truth, and that, in the meantime, many opportunities may come for them to be persuaded.

“…the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16)

Be Active with Other ChristiansFifth, let other Christians know about your parents and have them pray for them, too. We will be praying for them here. Also, spend a lot of time with other Christians, because they will help encourage you when you get discouraged about your parents. At the same time, you’ll also be an encouragement to other Christians because they’ll see that you’re remaining faithful to God in a difficult situation. You are already an encouragement to me.

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another…” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

“…comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

If you ever have any questions, feel free to write me and I’ll do the best job I can to answer them. Keep in touch. You are in my prayers!