How to start talking about God with someone who doesn't believe

It's difficult for me to start talking about God with someone who doesn't believe. I want to share my faith, but I don't really know where or how to start the conversation without it being awkward.

But recently, I've found that one of the easiest ways isn't to talk about God. Or Jesus. Or even worse, sin (shudder).

I've discovered that it's easier to just share that I was mistaken about something in my faith for the longest time: my assumption about heaven.

I grew up in church, so I thought I knew all about life after death. The general consensus around this whole topic - whether amongst Christians or non-Christians - is that people who believe in God and do what He says will go to heaven once they die.

To a certain extent, it's true. The bible says that those who belong to Christ go to 'be with Him' after death.

But the story doesn't end there. As it turns out, life after death isn't the end goal. The end goal is what happens after life after death.

Newsflash: the bible doesn't end with people living forever in heaven. Instead, it ends with heaven coming to earth.

From the first pages of Genesis to the closing chapters of Revelation, the whole story is about God restoring all of creation. It's not just about a subset of humans leaving this ruined earth behind for some outerwordly paradise. It's about ALL of creation. God wants to redeem everything that He created, because it is ALL good. And when that day comes, God will dwell with His people in the renewed creation.

I've noticed that when I share this, people lean in. Not because they suddenly become Christians. But because they've never heard it before. Even many believers are surprised (I myself was one of them for many years!)

Because I'm confessing that I had the wrong understanding for years, and that the biblical story isn't chiefly about sin or escaping hell, but about heaven coming to earth, people seem to get interested.

The goal of a conversation isn't to convince someone, but simply to invite curiosity and leave them thinking.

I've found that talking about the bible's vision of heaven and earth does exactly that.

If this idea is new to you, I'd highly recommend watching this video on Heaven and Earth. (Note: if you want a longer version, this sermon is more detailed).

It's one of the clearest explanations I've come across of the bible's overarching story. Rather than presenting heaven as our permanent destination, it traces the biblical theme of God dwelling with humanity: from Eden, through to the temple, to Jesus, and finally to the new creation where heaven and earth are fully united.

Once you see that thread, you'll start noticing it everywhere in Scripture.

So the next time someone asks you what Christianity is all about, resist the temptation to start with a list of beliefs (and definitely not sin!).

Start instead with the beautiful image of heaven and earth reuniting.

You might be surprised where the conversation goes.