Sharing Your Faith - Evangelism Made Simple

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Sharing Your Faith - Evangelism Made Simple

Sharing Your Faith: Evangelism Made Simple

The Great Commission isn't just for pastors and missionaries—it's for every believer. Jesus commanded all of us to go and make disciples. Let's break down how to share your faith in practical, everyday ways.

The Command: Go and Make Disciples

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." - Matthew 28:19-20

This wasn't a suggestion. Jesus commanded us to:

  • GO: Don't wait for people to come to you—go to them
  • MAKE DISCIPLES: Not just get decisions, but help people follow Jesus
  • BAPTIZE: Lead them into public commitment
  • TEACH: Help them obey everything Jesus commanded
You Are Qualified: You don't need a seminary degree. You don't need to be perfect. You just need to love Jesus and be willing to tell others about Him. The Holy Spirit will do the rest!

Starting Point: Your Testimony

The most powerful tool you have is your story. No one can argue with what Jesus has done in your life.

The 3-Part Testimony Formula:
  1. BEFORE (30 seconds): What was your life like before Christ?
    • Keep it brief—don't glorify sin
    • "I was living for myself, partying, felt empty..."
  2. THE ENCOUNTER (1 minute): How did you meet Jesus?
    • What happened that changed everything?
    • "I hit rock bottom and cried out to God..."
    • "Someone told me about Jesus and I believed..."
  3. AFTER (30 seconds): How has your life changed?
    • Be specific—what's different now?
    • "Now I have peace, purpose, joy..."
    • "My relationships are healing..."
    • "I'm free from addiction..."
Example Testimony:

"I grew up going to church, but I didn't really know God. In high school I started partying, doing drugs, sleeping around. I had everything I thought I wanted but felt completely empty inside. When I was 21, I got arrested and faced a felony charge. I hit rock bottom. One night I cried out to God, and He met me. A prophet spoke over my life and I knew God was real and personal. That was 10 years ago. Today, I'm free from all that. I have real peace and joy. God gave me purpose. He can do the same for you."

Practice Your Testimony: Write it out. Time it (aim for 2-3 minutes). Practice telling it to friends. Be ready to share it anytime, anywhere.

Simple Ways to Start Conversations

1. The Prayer Approach

Ask: "Can I pray for you about anything?"

  • Works with cashiers, waiters, classmates, coworkers
  • Most people say yes (even non-believers want prayer)
  • Pray right there on the spot
  • Opens the door to share more

2. The Direct Approach

Ask: "Do you believe in God?" or "Are you a Christian?"

  • Simple, straightforward
  • Their answer tells you where they're at
  • If yes: "That's awesome! How did you come to know Jesus?"
  • If no: "Can I share what Jesus did for me?"

3. The Story Approach

Share what God just did: "You won't believe what happened to me..."

  • Tell a recent God-story naturally in conversation
  • "I was worried about this test, but I prayed and God gave me peace..."
  • "My friend was sick, we prayed, and they got healed..."
  • This makes God real and relevant

4. The Question Approach

Ask spiritual questions:

  • "What do you think happens after we die?"
  • "Do you ever think about God or spiritual things?"
  • "If you could ask God one question, what would it be?"
  • Listen to their answer, then share truth

5. The T-Shirt Approach

Wear Christian shirts with bold messages:

  • "Jesus is King" - starts conversations
  • People will ask about it or comment
  • Instant opening to share your faith
  • You're representing Jesus everywhere you go

Overcoming Fear: The Love Solution

Remember this life-changing truth: When you focus on loving people, fear disappears.

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear." - 1 John 4:18

One evangelist shared: "As I was witnessing to someone, the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, 'Love him.' When I looked into this guy's eyes and began with a godly affection to care for him and to love him, the fear that I was enduring—the self-focus, the nervousness, the desire to please people—it actually like a bird just flew away from me."

Before You Talk to Someone:
  1. Stop thinking about yourself
  2. Look them in the eyes
  3. Pray: "God, give me Your love for this person"
  4. Focus on their eternal destiny, not your nervousness
  5. Genuinely care about them as a person God loves
Common Fears and the Truth:
  • Fear: "I don't know what to say"
    Truth: The Holy Spirit will give you words (Matthew 10:19-20)
  • Fear: "They'll reject me"
    Truth: They're rejecting Jesus, not you. And some will accept!
  • Fear: "I'm not good enough"
    Truth: None of us are—that's why we need Jesus!
  • Fear: "I'll mess it up"
    Truth: God uses imperfect people. Just be faithful.

The Gospel in 5 Minutes

Here's a simple way to explain the gospel:

The Simple Gospel Presentation:
  1. God loves you and has a plan for your life
    • "God created you on purpose, for a purpose"
    • John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world..."
  2. We've all sinned and are separated from God
    • "We've all done wrong things—lied, been selfish, etc."
    • Romans 3:23 - "All have sinned and fall short"
    • Romans 6:23 - "The wages of sin is death"
  3. Jesus died to pay for our sins
    • "Jesus took the punishment we deserved"
    • Romans 5:8 - "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us"
    • "He died, was buried, and rose from the dead"
  4. We must believe and receive Him
    • "It's not about being good enough—it's about faith"
    • Romans 10:9 - "If you confess Jesus as Lord and believe God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved"
    • "You have to turn from sin and turn to God"
  5. He changes everything
    • "When you give your life to Jesus, you become a new person"
    • 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation"
    • "Do you want to give your life to Jesus right now?"
Key Verses to Memorize:
  • Romans 3:23 - All have sinned
  • Romans 6:23 - Wages of sin is death; gift of God is eternal life
  • Romans 5:8 - While we were sinners, Christ died for us
  • Romans 10:9-10 - Confess and believe to be saved
  • John 3:16 - God so loved the world

Leading Someone to Christ

When someone is ready to give their life to Jesus, here's what to do:

Steps to Lead Someone to Christ:
  1. Make sure they understand:
    • They are a sinner and need God
    • Jesus died for their sins and rose again
    • They must turn from sin and follow Jesus
    • It's a commitment, not just a prayer
  2. Ask: "Are you ready to give your life to Jesus?"
    • Make sure they're serious
    • "This means turning from sin and making Jesus your Lord"
    • "Are you willing to do that?"
  3. Lead them in prayer:
    • "Repeat after me..."
    • Use the salvation prayer (see Blog 1)
    • Have them pray out loud if possible
  4. Celebrate and follow up:
    • "Welcome to God's family!"
    • "Get baptized as soon as possible"
    • "Find a good church"
    • "Start reading the Bible daily—begin with John"
    • Get their contact info and check on them

Different Settings, Different Approaches

At School/College

  • Start a Bible study or prayer group
  • Invite friends to Christian events
  • Be open about your faith in class discussions
  • Pray with friends before tests
  • Share your testimony when appropriate

At Work

  • Work with excellence (your testimony is watching)
  • Pray for coworkers
  • Be the encourager
  • Offer to pray when people share problems
  • Don't be preachy—be genuine

With Family

  • Let them see the change in you first
  • Pray for them daily
  • Share when they ask about the change
  • Be patient—some family takes years
  • Never give up hope

With Strangers in Public

  • Ask if you can pray for them
  • Give compliments, then share Jesus
  • Hand out gospel tracts
  • Start friendly conversations
  • Don't be weird—be genuinely kind

What If They Say No?

Not everyone will receive the gospel—and that's okay. Jesus said many would reject Him.

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." - Matthew 7:13-14

When Someone Rejects the Gospel:

  • Don't take it personally: They're rejecting Jesus, not you
  • Keep loving them: Your response matters
  • Plant seeds: Maybe they're not ready now, but you planted truth
  • Pray for them: God can soften their heart later
  • Move on: Don't force it—share with the next person
Your Job vs. God's Job:
  • Your job: Share the gospel clearly and lovingly
  • God's job: Save them and change their heart
  • You can't save anyone—only the Holy Spirit can
  • Be faithful to share; let God handle the results

Building Your Confidence: Start Small

Remember: Everyone starts somewhere. You don't have to preach to thousands tomorrow.

The 30-Day Evangelism Challenge:

Week 1: Share with 3 people you know

  • Tell a friend what Jesus did for you
  • Share your testimony with a family member
  • Post about your faith on social media

Week 2: Pray for 5 strangers

  • Ask a cashier if you can pray for them
  • Pray for your waiter at a restaurant
  • Offer prayer to someone who looks troubled

Week 3: Share the full gospel with 2 people

  • Use the 5-minute gospel presentation
  • Ask if they want to give their life to Jesus

Week 4: Lead someone in the salvation prayer

  • Don't stop until someone says yes to Jesus!
  • Help them take next steps

Tools and Resources

Gospel Tracts

Carry small pamphlets that explain the gospel. Hand them out everywhere. Leave them as tips, in bathrooms, on bulletin boards.

Christian Apparel

Wear bold Christian shirts. "Jesus is King" starts more conversations than you'd think.

The Bible App

Have verses ready to show people on your phone. Visual helps!

Your Phone Notes

Keep your testimony written out. Keep the gospel presentation. Keep key verses. All in your phone notes for quick access.

Gospel Tools Online

  • The Four Spiritual Laws
  • The Romans Road
  • Evangelism Explosion
  • The Bridge Illustration

The Ultimate Motivation

Why do we share our faith? Because people are dying without Jesus.

"How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?" - Romans 10:14-15

Think about it:

  • Every person who dies without Jesus goes to hell—forever
  • You might be the only Christian they ever meet
  • What you share could change their eternity
  • This is the most important thing you'll ever do
Final Challenge: Who is one person you know who needs Jesus? Commit to sharing the gospel with them this week. Pray for them daily. Look for the opportunity. And when it comes, be bold!
← Previous: Overcoming Struggles Next: Common Questions →

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