Have you ever felt nervous about sharing your faith? You’re not alone. Many Christians are uptight about sharing it, just as non-believers are uptight about hearing it. And yet, most non-believers haven’t even heard an accurate presentation of the gospel, in my opinion.
Why is it that we hesitate to share the greatest news in the world?
Let me put it this way: If you discovered the cure for cancer, would you keep it to yourself? Of course not! You’d want everyone to know. The gospel is even greater—it’s the cure for the deepest problem we all face: sin. The solution? Jesus Christ. That’s the power of the gospel, and it’s meant to be shared, not hoarded.
The Simpleness of Evangelism
Think about how quick we are to recommend a great burger, a movie, or a song. We don’t hesitate to tell others about other things we love. So why do we hesitate when it comes to sharing the gospel? Jesus commanded us to do so, “‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel. . .’” (Mark 16:15).
Maybe the word “preach” makes you nervous. Try this: Go into all the world and recommend the gospel.
And here’s the other part we often forget, “‘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. . .’” (Matthew 28:19–20). To make a disciple simply means you get a person on their feet spiritually.
The Great Commission isn’t just for pastors or missionaries—it’s for businessmen, students, housewives, and you. So go into your world—your friends, relatives, associates, and neighbors. I call it FRANgelism: Friends, Relatives, Associates, Neighbors. Just start where you are.
My First Attempt at Evangelism
When I was a brand-new Christian at 17, I decided to share my faith. Armed with a little booklet, I nervously approached a lady and read through The Four Spiritual Laws. I didn’t even know what I was doing, but when I asked, “Is there any good reason why you shouldn’t accept Jesus Christ right now?” she said no!
I hadn’t actually planned for successful evangelism, but God used me—someone who knew so little—to lead someone to Christ. If He can use me, He can use you.
You Don’t Have to Know Everything to Start
Sometimes you’ll get tough questions. I remember being stumped by someone and feeling embarrassed. But that motivated me to study the Bible and be ready for the next time. Scripture tells us to study to show ourselves approved (see 2 Timothy 2:15) and to be ready to give an answer concerning the faith (see 1 Peter 3:15).
But even if you know very little right now, you can still share what you do know: once I was lost, and now I’m found (see Luke 15:24). That’s true for every Christian, and enough to start a conversation.
People can argue with your theology or the Bible, but they can’t argue with your story. Because the greatest expert on you is you.
