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Evangelism doesn’t have to be scary or intimidating. It is simply about sharing the way we have experienced God’s grace and the love of Christ in our lives. In reality, we don’t need to take a course or attend seminary to share the gospel. We can just follow the example of Jesus. Share with others in a casual way about the Lord.
Think about how many times in our lives we are presented with evangelistic opportunities to connect with people who don’t know the message of Jesus. At coffee shops, at our kids’ schools, at the workplace, in our neighborhoods, and even on social media. People matter to God. Jesus demonstrated this time and time again in His earthly ministry. He took the time to ‘see’ those who were hopeless and without His love. He spoke to them and He pointed them toward the transformative power of His love.
We are asked to do the same; we are asked to model Jesus in our own lives. How can we do that in the course of everyday connections? How can we pivot our everyday conversations into spiritual conversations that point to Jesus?
Here are some practical ways to help you accomplish that goal.
Great Practices For More Effective Evangelism
Pray When You Start Your Day
Prepare the way! One of the most important things we need to realize is that we cannot save, convince, or convict anyone!! This is not our job; that’s the work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:8, 13).
We are however invited to participate in the process. We can prepare the way through prayer.
- Ask God to put people in your path those who need hope.
- Pray for God to speak through your words to open people’s hearts.
- Praise God for allowing you to participate in even a small way!
See People The Way Jesus Does
Start by being a good observer. Notice people you encounter every day: the clerk at the store, the people in line getting coffee when you are, the person across the room at a gas station. Learn their name! Sometimes just knowing someone’s name speaks volumes. They know you value them enough to call them by name. It is the first step in making a personal connection with people from all walks of life!
Be a good listener. This is a powerful way to show someone that you care. When you take the time to truly listen to what they say, you are telling them that they are valued and respected. The conversation shouldn’t be dominated by you or all about you!
Use These Good Listening Phrases
- So, if I’m hearing you right …
- You’re saying you feel … Is that right?
- Oh, I get it, it’s kind of like …
- So what you really like about that is …
- Kind of sounds like you’re saying …
Ask good questions. This is an effective way to learn about them and expand on what they tell you by asking questions. Remember what they tell you and refer back to it so they are assured that you are listening.
Here are samples of good questions to further conversations:
- (to a store clerk) So how long have you worked here?
- Have you had a vacation lately? Do you have one coming up? Where’s your favorite place to go?
- So if you didn’t have to be at work today, what would you probably be doing?
Why Do You Do It?
Understand your motivation. Philippians 2 (vs. 3-5) tells us to, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather in humility value others above yourselves … have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”
As we desire to follow God’s command, we have the motivation to share God’s word with others. We want to make sure that our hearts are sincere, and that we truly do care about the spiritual needs of those we connect with. Be authentic, and truly care about those who are lost!
Remember that 1 Peter 3:15 tells us … ”Always be ready to give an answer to every man who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you, with gentleness and fear.”
It is so important to treat people that you meet with as valued connections, like friends. Don’t treat them like your ‘project’ or someone that you can check off on some sort of spiritual scorecard. Share the same deep love that God has shown you.
Learn To Pivot Your Conversations To God
As you have ‘everyday’ conversations, you can learn to recognize certain subjects or ideas that provide an opportunity for you to turn your conversation toward spiritual matters. It’s an easy way to bring the gospel of Christ into your discussion.
Sample Pivot Points:
1. Anything about nature, points of beauty. Turn to, “Isn’t God an incredible artist? Isn’t it wonderful how God designed nature to work like this? God shows us how much He loves us by giving us such beauty to live in. I find true joy in the universe He created.”
2. Conversations about storms can pivot to, “Isn’t God’s power amazing? And we see it demonstrated in His creation all the time!”
3. Conversations about health or illness pivot to, “I am always amazed at how complicated our bodies can be. God designed us so uniquely that even all the advances in medical knowledge can’t answer some questions we have about how our bodies work. What an amazing creator we have.”
Invite Them To Join You
Invitations lead to deeper connections. Once you have established a bit of a relationship with someone, you can deepen those connections and conversations by inviting them to attend an activity with you. Try either an activity that you are both interested in, such as fishing, sporting events, craft fairs, etc., or an invitation to an event at your church. These are all opportunities to develop relationships more.
Don’t be in a rush. Developing connections and relationships takes time!
“The single most effective strategy that improved ministry and attendance at my church last year was the power of the personal invitation.” ~ Amy Satterifeld, Why Personal Invitations Work Better
Strive To Be Like Jesus
Some good things to remember are, that we desire to be like Jesus in sharing ourselves with others. We want to be the reason for hope and joy! Please don’t take on a self-righteous attitude or finger-point about what you think is wrong with their lives; that’s not our job.
We need to know that no one has ever ‘argued’ anyone into heaven. The people we encounter in our lives are in different stages of readiness to hear the gospel message. Some people we meet are just not ready to listen, and that’s okay. Be respectful and move on. For some people we encounter, we will be the ones to scatter the seed, someone later on in that person’s life will water, and perhaps even later, someone else will help in the harvest. So be willing to be used as God calls you in that place and at that time!
You Can Share God In Everyday Conversations
People matter to God. Jesus loved to share life and conversations with people wherever He went. He wants us to do the same.
This would make an awesome training session to hold in your small church. Set up scenarios for people to practice good listening skills and ask questions to each other. Do some simple exercises about using pivot points in everyday conversations.
Just imagine what God could do in your community if local churches got excited and prayed about turning their everyday conversations into spiritual conversations centered around the Good News!! Think about the impact that your small church could have on lives when your people are focused on ‘seeing’ others with no hope when they are learning to become good listeners and are praying for God to lead them to people they could build connections with.
We’re ready for it, Lord; bring it on!
Read More:
33 Questions To Ask For Deeper Conversations At Church
