The command of Jesus is simple and direct: “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone” (Mark 16:15). However, this can be both a simple and complicated assignment for believers today – to preach the Gospel.
While some Christians are willing to make great sacrifices, even to the point of laying down their lives, to ensure that the Gospel is preached to everyone, others may feel that this command is intended only for certain individuals or groups and not for everyone.
There are many reasons to this
- Fear of rejection or persecution: Some Christians may be afraid to share their faith with others because they fear rejection or persecution. They may worry that they will be criticized or ostracized for their faith in Christ Jesus.
- Lack of knowledge or confidence: Some Christians may not feel confident in their knowledge of the Bible or their ability to articulate their beliefs effectively. They may feel unprepared to answer questions or address objections that others may have.
- Cultural or social pressure: In some cultures, or social settings, it may be considered taboo or inappropriate to talk about Jesus or to evangelize. Therefore, people feel the pressure to conform to these norms and avoid discussing their faith.
- Personal struggles or doubts: Some Christians may be struggling with their own personal doubts or challenges, which can make it difficult to share their faith with others.
- Misplaced priorities: Some Christians may be more focused on other activities such as service projects or social justice work, and may not prioritize evangelism as a key part of their faith.
Despite these challenges, Christians should not allow them to limit or prevent them from carrying out the command that God has given us. As Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ” (Romans 1:16). Here are a few practical steps that Christians can take to share Jesus with people:
1. Pray
Prayer is an essential part of sharing the Gospel for believers. In fact, the first major evangelism effort after the ascension of Jesus Christ began with intensive prayer (Acts 1:14). But why do we need to pray? The devil is actively working to prevent the Gospel from taking root in the hearts of men, and some people have become desensitized to God’s message. Through prayer, we can prepare the hearts of people to receive the word of God.
In Acts 2, after the Apostles prayed and the Holy Spirit came upon them, they preached the word of God in simple terms, and God backed it up with power, igniting a fire in the hearts of the people. When the people heard the message, they were cut to the heart (Acts 2:37), and the word of God pierced through their hearts.
Prayer is vital in breaking the stronghold of sin and unbelief in the hearts of people, making them receptive to the word of God. As believers, we should never neglect the power of prayer in our evangelism efforts.
2. Understand the Gospel
One of the most common questions in evangelism is, “What is the Gospel?” Let’s turn to the Scriptures to answer this question. According to 1 Corinthians 15:2-4, sin entered the world through man, and Jesus came to overcome sin by dying for us. He rose from the dead to perfect the sacrifice He made for us, and through that sacrifice, we are saved and justified. As a result, we are dead to the world but alive in Christ.
The problem was sin, and Christ came to live a sinless life, die on the cross, and rise again to take away the sins of the world. That is the main content of the Gospel.
While we may use different strategies or means to communicate the Gospel, the message remains the same. Whether we are sharing the Gospel through personal conversations, preaching, or using other methods, the message is still the good news that Jesus came to take away our sins and offer us eternal life.
3. Engage the Holy Spirit for Direction
Just as Philip the evangelist relied on the Holy Spirit for direction in preaching the Gospel, we too should seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all aspects of our lives.
The Holy Spirit’s role is to enable us to live a Christ-like life and empower us when we share the Good News. Jesus promised that if he is lifted up, he will draw all people to himself (John 12:32) and He is doing that through the Holy Spirit. It is through the work of Jesus, facilitated by the Holy Spirit, that people are saved – it is never our work alone.
As partners in God’s work, we need the Holy Spirit’s guidance to effectively carry out our mission. The Holy Spirit knows where the harvest is ripe, and he knows the hearts that are prepared to hear the Word of God. He knows how to start a conversation and can lead us in our evangelism efforts. We must actively engage with the Holy Spirit to receive his direction and guidance.
4. Take a Step and Talk to Somebody
Addressing your fears and taking action is crucial in spreading the Gospel. The devil seeks to prevent the message of Christ from being shared, and one of his tactics is to use persecution and fear to discourage people from preaching the Gospel.
If you feel apprehensive about sharing the Gospel because of the fear of rejection, persecution, or any other reason, speak to your fear and take the bold step of spreading the Word of God. Just as the Apostles prayed for boldness to preach the Gospel, we too must pray for courage and take action.
The message of the Gospel is too important to keep to ourselves. We must be willing to overcome our fears and share the good news with others. By doing so, we are fulfilling God’s commandment to make disciples of all nations and bring salvation to those who need it. So speak to your fears and take the bold step of preaching the Gospel with confidence and faith.
The message of the Gospel is too important to keep to ourselves.
5. Live the Gospel
Your life and character can serve as a powerful testimony to others about the Gospel. By demonstrating love, compassion, and kindness to those around you, you can effectively communicate the message of Christ without even saying a word.
When you live out the Gospel in your daily life, you are building relationships of love and trust with those around you. By consistently demonstrating Christ-like qualities such as patience, forgiveness, and humility, you can create opportunities to share the good news of Jesus with others.
As people see the impact that your faith has on your life and witness the positive changes in your character, they may become curious about what inspires you and motivates you to live in such a way. This creates an opening to share your personal testimony and introduce them to the Lord who has transformed your life.
6. Share your Personal Testimony
It is true that people are often drawn to real-life stories rather than fictional ones. By sharing our personal experiences, we can help others connect to the saving power of the Gospel.
We can share our salvation story, detailing how we came to accept Christ and the transformation that took place in our lives. We can also share a miracle that God has performed in our lives, or an encounter we had during our journey of faith that demonstrated God’s love and faithfulness.
By sharing these personal experiences, we can demonstrate to others the reality of God’s presence in our lives and the transformative power of the Gospel. These stories can inspire and encourage others, providing them with hope and pointing them towards the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Let us not be afraid to share our personal stories of faith, for they have the potential to touch the lives of others and bring them closer to God.
7. Listen to Others
Developing the habit of actively listening to others is an important step in paving the way for gospel conversations. People often seek out others to share their problems and concerns, hoping to find solutions and support.
By cultivating a habit of listening attentively to those around us, we can create opportunities to share the love and message of Christ. When people feel heard and understood, they are more likely to be receptive to hearing about our faith and how it can bring hope and solutions to their problems.
It is important to be sensitive to the needs and concerns of others, and to share our faith in a way that is respectful, compassionate, and relevant to their situation. We can do this by actively engaging in conversations with others, asking thoughtful questions, and seeking to understand their perspectives and experiences.
As we listen to others, we can look for opportunities to share the hope and peace that comes from a relationship with Christ. By sharing how our faith has impacted our own lives, we can demonstrate the relevance and power of the gospel in a way that speaks to the needs and concerns of those around us.
8. Use Digital Platforms
In today’s world, digital ministry has become a powerful tool for sharing the message of Christ. With the prevalence of social media and the internet, it is easier than ever to reach a global audience with the Gospel.
By adapting to this new technology, we can overcome barriers such as shyness, lack of boldness, or lack of time that might otherwise prevent us from sharing our faith. With just a smartphone and the right strategy, we can begin to reach people with the good news of Jesus Christ from the comfort of our own homes.
Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, as well as streaming services like YouTube and Twitch, provide opportunities to connect with people all over the world and share the message of Christ in a way that is accessible, engaging, and relevant to their lives.
9. Invite People to Your Church
If you have fears about sharing the gospel or engaging in evangelism, one effective way to overcome these fears is to invite the person to your church. This can be done through various means, such as one-on-one discussions, email, social media, or text.
By inviting someone to your church, you provide them with an opportunity to experience the love and community of believers, and to hear the message of Christ in a safe and welcoming environment. It also allows them to see firsthand how the gospel has transformed your life and the lives of others in your church community.
10. Be Consistent
Consistency is key in evangelism. By showing up regularly in our efforts to share the gospel, we can become more skilled and effective in our approach.
As we consistently engage in evangelism, we can gain a deeper understanding of the needs and concerns of those around us, and develop strategies for effectively sharing the message of Christ. We can also build trust and rapport with those we are seeking to reach, demonstrating our commitment and sincerity in sharing the love and truth of the gospel.
Moreover, consistency also helps us to overcome the fear of rejection and the other obstacles that may hinder us from sharing the gospel. By showing up regularly and persistently, we can build our confidence and resilience, and overcome any barriers that may arise in our efforts to share the message of Christ.
