It has been a week since the Charlie Kirk assassination and reports are coming out that there has been a resurgence of interest in reading the Bible, praying to God, and in church attendance. In an age of rapid news cycles and highly divisive politics, the death of Charlie Kirk continues to resonate with many people. During this critical time, Christians must ensure they represent their faith and the Lord Jesus Christ well by being prepared to answer any questions a seeker or a person returning to church after many years of absence may have. But we must do so with gentleness and respect. Follow the instructions of Titus 3:2, which says we ought “to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”

It may feel counterintuitive in a time of anger, grief, confusion, or suffering to respond like this, but Christ taught us that it is the unconditional nature of our love for each other that distinguishes us as Christians. (John 13:35) The apostle Peter helps us understand how to respond to those whom we deem as our enemies, saying, “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” (1 Pet. 3:9)

There may be new people in your church you never expected to see. There may be relatives or friends showing interest in reading the Bible for the first time in their lives. There may even be people at work who ask you to pray for them Regardless of the person, or your preconceptions, “walk in wisdom toward outsiders and let our speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Col. 4:5-6)

We are not trying to persuade anyone to adopt a particular political viewpoint. Nor are we trying to help them see the evil that lies behind their own political party. Our job is to win men and women for the kingdom of God, not to win an argument. This is why Jesus says that we are to: 1) Go – in other words, do not wait for someone to approach you. If you see someone new at your church, or if you meet someone who has questions about Christianity, the Bible, prayer, etc., recognize this encounter for what it is: God inviting you to join Him in the work that He is doing around you.  Go. And join God in where He is leading you. 2) Make disciples – This means to take the time to get to know the person. They should be your friend, not your project. This is not about counting how many people you can get to pray the Sinner’s Prayer. This is about developing a relationship with the seekers, answering their questions, and using the way that you love them to lead them into an unconditional loving relationship with Christ.  3) Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit – As part of your discipling, have those who confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead (Rom. 10:9) to make a public profession of faith through the symbolic act of baptism. This demonstrates not only whose they are, but is also a tangible expression of what Christ has done in their life as He buried them with Christ and raised them to walk in newness of life, cleansing them of all their unrighteousness. Finally, 4) Teach them to observe all that Christ has commanded us – This means that your role as their discipler is not over. You have a lot of work ahead of you. Be prepared to be challenged. Be willing to have the late-night talks. But most of all, stay diligent in the word and learn to handle it correctly (2 Tim. 2:15) so that you are not ashamed. Discipline your body and keep it under control, so that after teaching them about Christ, you will not be disqualified. (1 Cor. 9:27) And supplement your faith with virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love so that you will be protected from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Pet. 1:5-8). Like parenting, discipling someone is a long-term commitment, not a short-term endeavor.

People seeking God in crisis should not be a cultural phenomenon that we objectively observe from a distance. You are not a scientist collecting data. You are a disciple of Christ who is commanded to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” (Eph. 4:1) Engage! Make disciples, not talking points. And win the person (not the argument) for the kingdom and glory of God. As the apostle Paul says, “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.”

Now, go!  Be the disciple you were called to be.