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b'READ: JOHN 20:26-29; 1 PETER 3:8-17\\n\\n\\n\\nAs we navigate life, we often hear persuasive voices, each one bringing its own opinions and biases. And sometimes those voices deny the gospel. In 1 Peter 3:15, believers in Jesus are called to be prepared to hear and respond to these voices, but how do we prepare to have conversations with people who don\\u2019t believe the gospel?\\n\\n\\n\\nFirst, and most importantly, we remember to enter these conversations with a heart of love and not a heart of defensiveness. God is capable of defending Himself; He doesn\\u2019t need us to do it for Him. Instead, out of love for God and neighbor, let\\u2019s seek to \\u201cbe prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have\\u201d (1 Peter 3:15).\\n\\n\\n\\nThis preparation doesn\\u2019t just automatically materialize though. We learn to trust God when we seek Him out. And one way we can seek Him is by bringing our questions and doubts to Him. He is not put off by questions. He invites our questions and delights in answering them. And we can also ask fellow Christians\\u2014 people who are probably asking the same things.\\n\\n\\n\\nWe can also prepare by looking for evidence of Jesus\\u2019s death and resurrection. And some of the strongest pieces of evidence we have for Jesus\\u2019s resurrection are the life events of the people closest to Him. Several of the brutal deaths the apostles faced for their belief in Jesus are actually confirmed by contemporary writers of that time. In fact, Jesus\\u2019s own half-brother, James, was stoned to death for his belief in Christ, and that event is confirmed by historical records from a non-Christian source! Jesus\\u2019s apostles and other early disciples were real people who willingly faced death because they believed so fervently in Jesus\\u2019s divinity.\\n\\n\\n\\nThere is much evidence of Jesus\\u2019s life, death, and resurrection, and we can seek it out, knowing that the foundation of our faith\\u2014Jesus Christ Himself\\u2014is a firm place to stand (Isaiah 26:4; 1 Corinthians 3:11). And as we rest in Jesus\\u2019s love and the hope of the gospel, we can learn how to better share that love and hope with everyone around us. \\u2022 James Long\\n\\n\\n\\n\\u2022 How does the gospel give you hope?\\n\\n\\n\\n\\u2022 What questions and doubts do you have about God, Jesus, the gospel...? Questions and doubts are normal, and we can talk to God about them anytime. Who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to about these as well\\u2014such as pastors, parents, youth leaders, or counselors?\\n\\n\\n\\nAlways be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15b (NIV)'