A wise patriot in our land stated: “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Knowing the eternal consequences, no Christian dares to fail! Brother or Sister, how prepared are you to respond to Peter’s challenge to be “ready to answer every man that asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you” (I Pet. 3:15)? If you ARE NOT READY, seriously consider the seven following steps on how to be ready to give an answer.

 

1. Pray to God for wisdom (James 1:5-7). God knows the heart, motive, and background of any person with whom you might study. He knows what portion of His inspired word would be pertinent for each individual. He has promised to give a liberal amount of wisdom, which should cover our limitations in that regard.

 

2. Develop a disposition so that your speech will always be with grace “that you might know how to answer each one” (Col. 4:6).

 

3. Be a consistent student of God’s Word to avoid the shame of not knowing, or failing to handle aright (rightly divide-KJ), God’s precepts (II Tim. 2:15). We need to not only know the reason for our hope, but, if possible, know the answer for whatever has kept that person from knowing or having that hope!

 

4. Purchase and consistently use “Good tools” (Good books; reliable authors; visual aids; quotations; illustrations, etc.) that will enhance your study and sharing of the Truth. Be like the Master Teacher (Matt. 7:28f; Mark 12:37; John 7:14-18). Be a student like Paul, even to your death (II Tim. 4:13).

 

5. Learn to listen closely to What, How, and Why others say what they do, like Jesus did (Mark 2:5-12; John 2:25; Mk. 7:1-13). We do not have Christ’s perceptive power, but we should diligently seek to understand what others say (cf. Matt. 16:9-11; I Cor. 14:18-20, 24f KJ; I Kings 3:8-12; Prov. 1:5f; 17:27f; 20:5). Take heed how you hear, and  what you hear (Mark 4:24; Luke 8:18).

 

6. When you do speak, be sure it is “as the oracles of God” (I Pet. 4:11; Rom. 1:16-18; Matt. 28:18-20). Always keep God’s Word(s) between you and the one(s) with whom you study, so that any reaction they may make is against Christ’s covenant, not with you!

 

7. Always remember to give God the glory, knowing that apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5); for we are not sufficient of ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God (II Cor. 3:1-6; Psa. 115:1; Rev. 14:6f; II Pet. 3:18; Jude vv.24f).

 

One sobering observation in closing; Look over this list, asking, “In which area(s) do I most need to act?” To begin further preparation today to meet your personal needs or growth in these 7 areas is likely a day late already!! (Cf. I Cor. 15:58).