(This is part 2 of a 3-part series on Tools for Evangelism.)
Evangelism—it’s no longer scaring you (completely), and you’re ready to give it a try. Is it time to grab the billboard and bullhorn? Must all of your speech now be about Jesus, and nothing else? What will your friends and family think if you talk to them? What will God think if you don’t?
These simple tips can make sharing the good news more natural, fruitful, and even enjoyable!
1. It’s about starting a conversation.
Often in evangelism, the hardest part is starting the conversation. Once we get past this hurdle, there are so many ways to bring up God, and He will help open the door.
Why not start with people you already know? It could be your classmates, coworkers, friends, or a restaurant employee you see on a regular basis.
Ask them how they’re doing—and really mean it! Usually, your sincerity will be conveyed by your tone and willingness to listen. Ask if they need prayer for anything, such as physical healing or direction in their lives, and offer to pray for them right there. Check if there is improvement after you pray, or if they felt anything from God. He loves to show up and speak!
You can also ask if they’ve heard the message of salvation from the Bible, or if you can share the most important thing in your life. Almost any question can point to faith, so see what works for you.
It can help to partner with a more experienced evangelist to learn from them. Take turns starting the conversation, until you get comfortable doing it on your own. After a little practice, you may just find yourself in a groove, freely talking and bringing up Jesus!
2. It’s about relationship.
Evangelism is about people—God’s love for people and His desire to connect them to Christ. We show His love to others by talking, listening, and meeting their real needs, both practically and spiritually.
Christians are called to love and serve everyone—even our enemies (Mt. 5:44)! This causes our light to shine so that the lost want to know the “reason for the hope” that we have (1 Pet. 3:15).
Don’t underestimate the impact that a couple of minutes every day can have on a coworker, classmate, or clerk. Ask the Lord to highlight people in your life He wants you to invest in, and begin to relate to them. You may be the only person who lends an ear or goes out of your way to meet their needs, even if it’s just the desire for conversation.
Listening is powerful! People love to talk about what’s important to them, and being attentive will give you insight into their lives and make them more likely to hear you when you speak.
Jesus listened to the woman at the well and asked her several questions before revealing that He was the Messiah (Jn. 4:7–26).
Relationships require trust, and trust is built by listening, serving, and loving others with our resources. Evangelism takes time, and time is one of the greatest gifts we can give.
3. It’s about God and His Word.
The salvation message is simple: Christ died to save sinners (Rom. 5:8). There are other parts of the story—such as creation, the fall, and how to enter the kingdom through repentance and faith—but we never want to depart from the core truth.
Don’t get sidetracked into arguments that don’t directly relate to the subjects of Christ’s sacrifice and love. It’s very difficult to debate someone into the kingdom, and God’s foolishness is wiser than man’s wisdom (1 Cor. 1:25). We—and the people we’re talking to—can’t wait until we have absolutely everything figured out to believe.
The gospel requires faith in a God we can’t see, but who is more real than everything we do see. In 1 John 2:17, the apostle writes that “the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”
God created the world, sent His Son to die in our place, and is coming again to establish an everlasting reign of righteousness on the earth. This is the glorious story that we are inviting others into!
There is a place to answer people’s questions and objections, but our answers must be grounded in the truth of who God is and what He’s done, which is revealed in His Word. Using culture and other means to convey the message is valid, as long as it points people to the core gospel truths.
Here’s a final tip: As with most things, it’s best to start small and be consistent. Sharing faith can be like developing a new muscle—your first attempts may feel weak, but over time your efforts will become easier and stronger.
Evangelism is a dual process of learning and producing fruit. Remember that it’s “God who gives the increase” as we labor faithfully with Him:
“Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers.” (1 Cor. 3:7–9)
