"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." - Matthew 5:16
Here are some easy ways to share your faith!
We want share our faith with our family and friends, but we often don't know how to start the conversations. It can be absolutely nerve-wracking. We don't want to come across the wrong way, we don't want to make them uncomfortable.
We are all familiar with the inner dialogue that ensues as we begin to approach others about our faith. Most often the dialogue is negative, but what if we remind ourselves of the positive instead?
Keeping the positive in mind, use the tips below to overcome any nerves you might have:
We are all familiar with the inner dialogue that ensues as we begin to approach others about our faith. Most often the dialogue is negative, but what if we remind ourselves of the positive instead?
- What if God has been working in their heart and preparing them for me to talk to them?
- What if they listen?
- What if they are going through a trial and are looking for help?
- What if they give their life to Christ because I am willing to share Jesus with them?
Keeping the positive in mind, use the tips below to overcome any nerves you might have:
How do I start the conversation?
Before we get started, I want to remind you that whenever you speak to someone about your faith, you need to be sincere and you need to listen to them. If you don't listen to them you cannot expect them to listen to you.
1. If you are not sure they go to church anywhere:
If you are not sure if they go to church then just ask them! "Do you go to church anywhere?"
If their answer is yes, then you can ask them these questions: "What church do you go to?", "How long have you gone there?" and "Why did you start going there?" Once you have listened to their story, you can now tell them share the Gospel with them by telling them why you go to your church. We go to church because we have believed in Jesus!
If their answer is no, then you can invite them to your church and ask them if they have a moment for you to tell them why you go there!
2. When you know someone doesn't go to church:
If someone does not go to church, to start the conversation, you can ask them, "Did you ever go to church when you were growing up?" This is a great question to start with as it will allow you to get to know the story of the person you are talking to.
There could be many reasons why a person no longer attends a church. The world is filled with people who had bad experiences at church. If the person you are speaking to is one of them, then don't be afraid to lovingly ask them if they would be willing to share what that bad experience was. The key here is to learn about them. Use what you learn and ask God for wisdom about how to best share the Gospel with them.
One important point to remember when talking to anyone is that Christianity is not church. Christianity is a relationship with God. When I was growing up, my pastor told me many times to always put my trust in God because people will fail you, churches will fail you, but God will never fail you.
3. When you know someone goes to a church that does not preach the Gospel:
To start a conversation with someone who goes to a church that does not preach the true Gospel there are a few questions you can start a conversation by asking "What does your church believe about Jesus?" As a followup to the this question it is good to ask them if they agree with what their church believes. By asking them if they agree you are able to find out what they believe.
Next, you simply and lovingly ask, "How did you come to that belief?" This will encourage the person you are talking to to really think about what they believe and why. There are only two responses to this question.
1. Many times your friend or family member will tell you that they get their belief from the Bible. If that is their response, ask them to show you. No matter where we are these days we all have access to God's Word right on our phone. The key is to continue to get them to think about what they believe and loving show them from God's Word when what they believe differs from what God said.
2. They might just admit that they don't know why they believe what they believe. At this point, ask them if they will allow you to show them why you believe what you do.
1. If you are not sure they go to church anywhere:
If you are not sure if they go to church then just ask them! "Do you go to church anywhere?"
If their answer is yes, then you can ask them these questions: "What church do you go to?", "How long have you gone there?" and "Why did you start going there?" Once you have listened to their story, you can now tell them share the Gospel with them by telling them why you go to your church. We go to church because we have believed in Jesus!
If their answer is no, then you can invite them to your church and ask them if they have a moment for you to tell them why you go there!
2. When you know someone doesn't go to church:
If someone does not go to church, to start the conversation, you can ask them, "Did you ever go to church when you were growing up?" This is a great question to start with as it will allow you to get to know the story of the person you are talking to.
There could be many reasons why a person no longer attends a church. The world is filled with people who had bad experiences at church. If the person you are speaking to is one of them, then don't be afraid to lovingly ask them if they would be willing to share what that bad experience was. The key here is to learn about them. Use what you learn and ask God for wisdom about how to best share the Gospel with them.
One important point to remember when talking to anyone is that Christianity is not church. Christianity is a relationship with God. When I was growing up, my pastor told me many times to always put my trust in God because people will fail you, churches will fail you, but God will never fail you.
3. When you know someone goes to a church that does not preach the Gospel:
To start a conversation with someone who goes to a church that does not preach the true Gospel there are a few questions you can start a conversation by asking "What does your church believe about Jesus?" As a followup to the this question it is good to ask them if they agree with what their church believes. By asking them if they agree you are able to find out what they believe.
Next, you simply and lovingly ask, "How did you come to that belief?" This will encourage the person you are talking to to really think about what they believe and why. There are only two responses to this question.
1. Many times your friend or family member will tell you that they get their belief from the Bible. If that is their response, ask them to show you. No matter where we are these days we all have access to God's Word right on our phone. The key is to continue to get them to think about what they believe and loving show them from God's Word when what they believe differs from what God said.
2. They might just admit that they don't know why they believe what they believe. At this point, ask them if they will allow you to show them why you believe what you do.
How do I avoid making a person feel judged or uncomfortable?
The key to avoiding the appearance of judgment when sharing the Gospel is being real. The only difference between a Christian and an unbeliever is Christ. We are all human sinners. Be kind and loving. Treat them the same way you would want to be treated.
One of the most uncomfortable parts of soul-winning can be the end of the conversation, especially if the person rejects Christ. It is very important to remember to be kind and gracious. You conversation with them might just be planting a seed that God will use others to water as He gives the increase. How you end the conversation is how they will remember the conversation.
One of the most uncomfortable parts of soul-winning can be the end of the conversation, especially if the person rejects Christ. It is very important to remember to be kind and gracious. You conversation with them might just be planting a seed that God will use others to water as He gives the increase. How you end the conversation is how they will remember the conversation.