As Christians, we all know that it’s important to help others come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. We know evangelism is important and that it is near to the heart of Jesus. He wants His lost children to come home. He wants His people to know and experience His great love and grace in their lives. The only problem is that His preferred method of telling others about His love – is us! He wants to use His people to reaching His people! Though it’s often scary and we feel intimidated when it comes to sharing our faith, I hope the 5 keys below will help motivate you to share your faith.
1 – Know the Gospel and your testimony. You cannot share what you do not have. You cannot share a message you are unclear on yourself. The first key to sharing your faith is knowing the basics of your faith and your testimony. According to Romans 3:23 – all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 6:23 tells us the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. Romans 10:9 tell us that if anyone confess with his (or her) mouth that Jesus is Lord and believes that God raised Him from the dead will be saved. The most famous Bible verse, John 3:16, tells us God so loved the world that He gave His only Son (Jesus) that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. That’s the Gospel summed up.
2 – Know your story. In Revelation, John says the enemy is defeated by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony. Your testimony is your story of faith. People love stories. While good theology is important, most people are more receptive to a story because it is more relatable. What’s your story of faith? How did you come to faith in Jesus? Was there a situation that drove you to God? If you’re unsure of your testimony, answer the following questions.
- I was… (What was life like before you knew Jesus?)
- Then Jesus… (How did you come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior?)
- Since then… (How has life improved – or gotten more difficult – since you started following Jesus?)
Many believers know their testimony, but are ashamed to share it or are afraid to face judgment by their family or peers.
3 – Share life with non-believers. It’s possible, but more difficult to speak truth into someone’s life with whom you have no relationship. The fist examples of evangelism was when Andrew invited his brother Peter to come and see Jesus. Spend time with unbelievers. Build relationships with them. Go out to lunch with them. Have them over for dinners – or holidays. Live life with them. Jesus may have been accused of
4 – Pray for those who don’t believe. Someone once posed the question. “If everyone you prayed for this week got saved, how many more people would be saved?” That is often a convicting question since we often get caught up in praying for our own needs, wants, and desires. Take the time. Pray for the ones in your life who don’t know Jesus. Pray for opportunities to share your faith. Pray for boldness to speak it.
5 – Live a life consistent with the Gospel. Of course, no one is perfect, and we shouldn’t pretend to be, but followers of Jesus should live as followers of Jesus. Our faith should affect our marriages, parenting, friendships, and involvement with our church family. If we are going to announce the power of the Gospel to save and change lives, we should be experiencing that power to be saved and changed. We should be walking out our faith and experiencing change since the Holy Spirit lives in us.
I hope these are some helpful ways to encourage you to share your faith with your friends and family. Do you have any other thoughts or suggestions? I’d love to hear them.
Ty Tamasaka is an author who hold a Master of Arts Degree from Pacific Rim Christian University in Christian Ministry He is a Bible teacher who loves to encourage people to enjoy Jesus’ grace and extend His Kingdom. Ty just released his new book Starting Fresh: Following Jesus on the Adventure of a Lifetime in addition to More than a Conqueror: 5 Pathways to Personal Revival.
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