Sharing Your Faith in Christ
How do you present Jesus to others?
1. PRAY – Ask God to prepare the
heart of the one you are
sharing with to be open to the
message.
2. LAY THE FOUNDATION – Others are
evaluating you and the Lord you serve by everything you do and
say. They are looking for people in whose lives knowing the Lord
Jesus makes a noticeable difference, who love them and listen to
them – the same way God loves and listens to them.
Learn to listen with your full attention.
Share honestly both the joys and struggles you encounter as a
Christian. Be honest about your own questions and concerns.
Accept others where they are and who they are. Jesus died for
them while they were yet sinners (Romans 5:8).
3. BE AWARE OF OPPORTUNITIES – A
friend may ask you to talk, or some might be waiting for you to
suggest going for a coke – getting alone where you can share
what Jesus means to you. Watch for “divine” opportunities to
share the good news.
4. HAVE A PLAN – Don’t lecture or
force the Gospel. Here are some tips to keep in mind.
a. Put them at ease. Be perceptive
of feelings and remember he or she is probably nervous. Be
relaxed, natural and casual in your conversation, not critical
or judgmental.
b. Get them to talk and listen
carefully to what is said. Some will make superficial or
shocking statements just to get your reaction. Don’t begin
lecturing or problem-solving. Instead encourage them to keep
talking.
c. Be direct. Your friend may have
trouble bring up the topic of Christianity. If you sense this, a
simple question: “How are you and the Lord getting
along?” can open a life-changing conversation.
d. Share the Lord’s desire to have
fellowship with them. As you relate the plan God has for
people, to have a relationship with Him, move through the points
slowly enough to allow time for thinking and understanding. But
be sure not to drag out the presentation.
Points of the Gospel
1. God’s goal for us is life: eternal
and abundant (John 3:16;
John 10:10).
2. All people are separated from the
Lord by sin (Romans 3:23;
Romans 6:23).
3. God’s solution to sin is Jesus Christ
who died to pay the penalty for our sin (Romans 5:8; John 14:6).
4. Our response is to repent (turn
from sin) and to receive Jesus as Savior and
Lord by faith (turn to God) (John 1:12; Romans
5:1).
e. Make sure that they understand that
accepting Jesus is very simple. If you feel they understand
, ask if they would like to accept Jesus now. If so, ask them to
pray with you. Explain that praying is simply
talking to the Lord. In this case it’s telling God of their need
for and desire to have Jesus in their life as their personal
Savior and Lord. Then suggest that they read the Gospel of John
in order to grow in their faith and get to know Jesus better.
If you fell that they are unready to make a
decision, suggest some Scripture to read make an appointment to
get together again (John14-16; Romans 3-8 and the Gospel of
Mark are good sections for reading). Pray for them in the
meantime that the Holy Spirit will open their heart to receive
Jesus.
5. Remember – your responsibility is
simply to present the gospel and to be able to explain the hope
that is within you. It is the Holy Spirit who makes the heart
ready for a relationship with the Lord and gives growth.
