Walking through the campus main quad on the way to teaching my seminar on Exploring Religious Diversity, I notice that the very vocal man has returned with his large picket sign that reads, "All Sinners Will Burn FOREVER in Hellfire!"

His fervent chanting of Scripture and attempts to start heated conversations with students passing by make me wonder what truly motivates his actions. Whatever is driving him, his debating tactics are not working.

Reaching my classroom, I look around at the faces of the 20 undergraduate college students who come from a variety of religious backgrounds, majors, class years and lifestyles. After engaging in dialogue with this group week after week, the thing I admire most about my students is their ability to genuinely discuss their faith and beliefs.

Instead of just arguing about why their beliefs and practices are right while others are wrong, they are able to connect across many different ideologies and perspectives because of their desire to engage in authentic dialogue on what matters most to them.

There is a clear difference between these two approaches to communicating one's faith—debate versus dialogue—and they have drastically different outcomes. In the first scenario, the man with the sign is not well received by his audience, and his message isn't heard or appreciated. Alternatively, in my classroom, students are able to build bridges of understanding across significant differences as they interact in intergroup dialogue.

Both examples beg an important question about communicating biblical truth on college campuses today: In a world of increasingly divergent views and beliefs, what is the best way to be heard?

Christian college students today can learn and practice techniques of dialogue when discussing with one another their different beliefs and practices. God instructs us to always be ready to explain to others the eternal hope that He promises with a spirit of gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). The Bible also instructs us to live out our faith as a witness to God's truth in all environments (Isaiah 43:10; Romans 8:16). Let's look at two personal examples.

Raising awareness

Jonathan had started studying his Bible more in college and had recently begun to observe the Sabbath weekly, along with keeping the biblical annual festivals.

His parents, his close family friends and his roommates don't believe in the Bible or have any religious background, so this transition has been rocky for Jonathan as he navigates life in college. As his support system, they are excited to see Jonathan's newfound zeal and passion, and they grow curious about his new practices and what they really mean. People begin to question him more and more.

As Jonathan's life is defined more and more by his faith, he's had the opportunity to explain to others why he is now not working on Friday nights and Saturdays with his supervisor and coworkers at the Campus Recreation Center. When home for spring break, he discussed the purpose of the Sabbath with his mom, and he began telling her about the upcoming spring Holy Days he was preparing to observe.

His excitement and conviction for his faith is evident to his mom and others he connects with. Even if they don't fully understand or agree with his beliefs and practices, they can't help but notice the change in Jonathan for the better.

Jonathan's example may be similar to your own in some ways. Maybe friends or professors on campus don't fully understand why you choose not to go out on Friday nights or why you stop eating bagels and sandwiches around Passover. By taking the time to explain your beliefs through engaging in a two-way dialogue and having supporting biblical evidence for your practices, you have the opportunity to raise awareness about what the Bible teaches, just like Jonathan.

Providing comfort

Cecilia came home from church one Sabbath to find her roommate, Jessica, crying at the kitchen table in their apartment. Jessica revealed that her father had just been diagnosed with stage-three lymphoma and that the prognosis didn't look hopeful. As a devout Catholic, Jessica was not only fervently praying for her father's healing, but she was also concerned that he would not go to heaven if he passed away because he had stopped coming to church years ago after his own father had died.

Listening to Jessica's concerns, Cecilia sat down beside her, opened her Bible to a familiar verse, and began reading aloud Psalm 23: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want …" She read on until Jessica's sobs quieted and a sense of peace filled the room. By reciting a familiar passage they both knew and believed, Cecilia was able to provide comfort to her friend in a time of need, while connecting on a deeper, spiritual level.

This situation also allowed Cecilia to share her beliefs regarding the biblical teachings on the afterlife. She explained to Jessica that God desires a deep and lasting relationship with each person, and that this life is not the only time for salvation and judgment.

Coming from a different religious background, this teaching was new for Jessica, and she was interested to learn more, both out of love for her father and her own curiosity. While we must be careful when and with whom we share God's truth and be cognizant of how it may be received (Matthew 7:6), Jessica's example shows that there are circumstances when we should explain the hope that lies within us—when people are receptive to learning about biblical teachings, particularly if they show genuine interest and ask.

The principles of dialogue

You can apply the principles below as you learn and practice how to dialogue with others as you discuss your faith:

Listen and communicate with a spirit of understanding: In dialogue, one listens to the other side in order to understand, find meaning and find agreement. In debate, one listens to the other side in order to find flaws and to counter its arguments. While explaining your beliefs, also be attentive to hearing what the other person believes. (This is not to say that there should never be respectful debate at some point.)

Seek common ground: In dialogue, one searches for basic agreements. In debate, one searches for glaring differences. Start by highlighting beliefs and practices that you both share and then build on this foundation.

Grow in personal awareness: Dialogue causes introspection on one's own position. Debate causes critique of the other position. Engaging in conversations about our faith allows us to strengthen our own convictions and beliefs.

These principles show that dialogue involves a two-way conversation that is collaborative and seeks to develop deeper understanding through respectful communication and personal introspection. Far too often, conversations about religion turn into heated debates that have a distinct winner and loser, and no one gets ahead. Relationships are bruised, feelings are hurt, and neither side feels understood or valued.

As true followers of Jesus Christ who seek to live His way of life in today's society, we need to live out our faith daily as godly examples and share the hope that lies within us, not engage in debates over truth with people who aren't ready or willing to listen.