How do I lovingly stand firm in Christ when close family members try to pull me away?

I am a new believer in Christ by the grace of God, and I have been keeping my faith private from my family. Recently, as I grow deeper in my walk with the Lord, they’ve started to notice the changes in me.

Most of my close family members are agnostic, and they sometimes question me, saying things like: “You don’t need religion to follow God.” I want to stay strong in my faith without responding in anger or pride.

Since I’m still new to the Scriptures, I only know of verses like 2 Timothy 2:24–25, which talk about correcting with gentleness. I would love your advice on how to approach these conversations in love while staying faithful to Christ.

Please also pray for my family to come to know the Lord, and for me to be a faithful witness to them.

My questions are:

• What scriptures have helped you when facing opposition from loved ones?
• How can I lovingly rebuke or redirect them without pushing them further away?
• Are there faithful resources (outside of the scripture) you could recommend for a situation like this?
• What are some gentle but thought-provoking questions or points I can share that might help them reflect and seek the truth?
• What approaches or conversations have you found helpful in making loved ones curious about Christ, rather than defensive?

Thank you so much in advance. God bless you all!