Skip to content Evangelism is a polarizing term. You’re either a believer, viewing it as a pillar of the Christian journey, or a skeptic, shivering at the idea of someone attempting to convert you. If executed adeptly, perhaps non-believers wouldn’t abhor the concept. This article aims to explore how to evangelize. While there isn’t a single correct approach, here are some insights I wish I had known earlier.
Know your Audience-Its not a one size fits all kind of approach
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Uganda. We journeyed with an Ugandan pastor who traveled from village to village, spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. He carried a chest full of cold sodas, which he distributed to the crowd. As they savored the beverages, he began preaching about how Jesus could quench their spiritual thirst. Surprisingly, this moved people to pray with him, and considered his plea of conversion.
Would this approach be effective in the U.S.? Probably not. The reason being is that the U.S. has a different cultural starting point compared to non-Western countries. Leslie Newbigin, upon returning from years of missionary work in India, accurately described the West as being inoculated with Christianity. The West knows just enough about the Bible to reject it. This is the audience we encounter in the U.S or any other western nation. Knowing this, we must tailor our approach to spreading the gospel message. Perhaps this involves addressing their cultural blind spots or presenting it from a scientific perspective. Needless to say, it differs from how one would share the message in a developing nation.
Its not about you
This is something I continually remind myself of. There should be no other reason to evangelize besides loving the person you’re reaching out to. Any other motivation can be a form of manipulation to serve your own agenda. Whether it’s a desire to be right, to win an argument, or to find joy in sharing your spiritual journey with Christ. Certainly, expressing your testimony isn’t inherently negative, but if you derive pleasure from sharing solely for the sake of sharing, it may not yield fruitful results. Recognize that not every faith journey is identical, so if you believe sharing your unique relationship with Christ could benefit the non-believer, then by all means, share it. However, refrain from sharing simply because you enjoy the story.
Evangelism is not an intellectual exercise
This aligns with the previous point. Evangelism shouldn’t be equated with debating. While there is undoubtedly some overlap, and as Christians, we should all have a basic understanding of why we believe what we do, it doesn’t mean we have to unleash our intellectual arsenal at every opportunity to evangelize.
I have a tendency to enjoy arguments. When the topic of the existence of God arises, the antennas of my left brain perk up. I relish the intellectual challenge of prevailing in an argument. But why? Is it because I desire for this person to embrace the truth-bestowing power of the gospel? Do I want them to experience the peace of salvation? Perhaps there’s a sliver of truth to this, but the primary reason is the thrill of dismantling an “opponent’s” argument. It’s a selfish motive. If you are like me perhaps you feel it’s merely a duty as a Christian, akin to tithing. Yet, engaging without the heart of love can result in ineffectiveness and insincerity. People can often sense inauthenticity, which is a complete turn-off. They want to know that you genuinely care about them, not just that you are correct.
Avoid Hot Topic Issues
They say you should avoid discussions about faith and politics. Obviously, in evangelizing, you’re delving deep into the faith arena, so it’s best not to exacerbate matters by diving into politics as well. A few weeks ago, I had my cousin and his wife over, neither of whom are believers. I had the intention of sharing my faith in a way that might move them closer to belief. However, instead of steering the conversation toward faith as I had intended, it veered toward politically charged topics, with my faith taking center stage. I should have recognized this and redirected the conversation away from political topics, but unfortunately, I didn’t. Despite being articulate and compassionate, engaging in a charged political conversation did little to help them believe in our Creator God.
Because hot-button issues are rife with emotionally charged opinions, which may or may not be grounded in logical foundations, using them as entry points for evangelism is likely to fail. While this isn’t a one-size-fits-all rule, as a general principle, it’s probably wise to steer clear of politics.
Listening is the bedrock of evangelism
Without listening to the person you are evangelizing, you won’t truly understand where and how you can help them overcome barriers to accepting God. Most often, people dislike being lectured to. If someone harboring doubts doesn’t feel like you genuinely understand the source or nature of their doubts, they are less likely to be receptive to your perspective. By being a good listener, you can sometimes discern what they are truly expressing, even without them explicitly stating it. Pay attention to the clues: their body language, intonations, and pauses. These nonverbal cues communicate what they’re saying without words. Only a very observant and attentive listener will pick up on these nuances. So, the next time you evangelize, let listening be the foundation of your conversation.
Evangelism without Words
You’ve heard it said that actions speak louder than words, and this rings true when sharing the gospel. What does your life reflect? Do you show disdain for the poor and the weak? Do you look down on those around you? If your character clearly exhibits traits that others would not want to emulate, your words may fall on deaf ears, regardless of what you believe in. This isn’t to suggest that you must be perfect – far from it. Rather, it’s the unspoken life that often speaks volumes to those around us. An admirable individual can sometimes be more effective in evangelizing than someone with a well-articulated explanation of why Jesus Christ is King.
It’s ok not to know everything- Show humility
We are all human, and none of us have all the answers. So, there’s no need to pretend otherwise. Be honest if you’re unsure of what to say. If someone you’re conversing with raises a valid point that challenges your beliefs, acknowledge it. If you lack an answer to a question, a simple “I don’t know” suffices. Authenticity is often more valuable than trying to fabricate an explanation. Stay humble, recognize your limitations, and don’t hesitate to admit them.
This is a long game-your looking for a run, not a home run
Evangelism isn’t solely about instant conversions every time you engage in it. Don’t anticipate that everyone you encounter will immediately accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Throughout a person’s life, there will hopefully be numerous opportunities for spiritual conversations. It might not always be with you; perhaps someone else, whom God places in their path, will play a pivotal role. You might just be one piece of the intricate puzzle of a person’s spiritual journey. Therefore, don’t be disheartened if you don’t witness the fruits of your labor in this realm; you may not see it until heaven. Moreover, when you view a person’s conversion as a gradual process, you can discern the small steps they need to take to draw closer to accepting Jesus. For instance, if you’re interacting with a staunch atheist, it’s improbable that they’ll convert on the spot upon hearing your testimony. Instead, perhaps you’re merely dispelling some preconceived notions about Christians or their beliefs. Remember, small steps pave the way for significant progress in the long run.
Focus on the Essence of the Christian Faith
It’s easy to get sidetracked by peripheral issues within the Christian faith, as mentioned earlier regarding hot-button topics, which often revolve around peripheral matters of Christianity. Our aim isn’t to convert people to a cultural viewpoint, to mold them into being “good” individuals, or even to persuade them to believe in God per se. Rather, we’re striving to assist people in accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Our goal is to lead them to the understanding that they are saved by the grace of our God – that’s the essence of the gospel message. Sharing the Christian faith essentially means sharing the gospel, which embodies the message of grace. While belief in God may serve as a prerequisite, it’s important to remember that it isn’t the ultimate objective; rather, it’s about conveying the good news of Jesus as their savior.
In the end its not up to you
God is offering you the opportunity to share your faith with people. Ultimately, God doesn’t require you to single-handedly change the world; rather, He desires your participation. While God could orchestrate a Damascus experience for everyone, He chooses not to. Instead, in God’s kingdom, we share our love with the world, and in love, we strive to reveal the truth. However, the responsibility isn’t solely on us. So, don’t be too hard on yourself or feel pressured to bear the burden of transforming the world. It is not you who is effecting this transformation; it is God.
Conclusions
Jesus has given us a command to make disciples of all nations, preaching the gospel message. However, engaging with the world is not easy, particularly in this post-Christian society of the West. Despite the challenges of reaching the West, we should take encouragement from the fact that God has provided us with a vision of the end. God’s kingdom will ultimately prevail. Therefore, recognize this truth and feel empowered to extend love to unbelievers and draw them closer to that love. Let this be the sole motivation driving your evangelism efforts. Remember, it’s okay not to have all the answers; it’s not about you. Instead, focus on the core of your faith and practice listening. All you can do is bear witness to the goodness of God.
