Big Yes, Little Yes, Healthy MaybeSample

But it Doesn’t Work

Even when we’re aware something isn’t working, we sometimes procrastinate and fail to fix it. This can be true when it comes to how we share our faith too. We realise our evangelism isn’t working, but we don’t do anything about it. We need to understand where and why we’re going wrong since we’re all called to share our faith effectively. Thankfully, we can equip ourselves to share the life-changing news of Jesus – confidently and joyfully. This is best done through a better understanding of the process by which a person comes to know Jesus: their journey.

However, before we explore the journey specifically, there are some areas of our gospel communication that need fixing. Sometimes we’re simply unwise in how we act towards people who don’t yet know Jesus. We share our faith, but our words have no traction because we haven’t established credibility.

I’ve identified eight areas for improvement when it comes to our evangelism:

1. Distortion of the Christian message

We promise people that becoming a Christian will solve all their problems, instead of simply inviting them to follow Jesus.

2. Lack of good connection

Sometimes God reaches people through total strangers, but more often than not, He uses our relationships with others to open their hearts and minds to the truth.

3. Bad witness

It’s ok to offend someone with the gospel. Even Jesus did this. It’s not ok to offend someone by the manner in which you share the gospel. Our attitudes, actions, words, and ways need to be above reproach.

4. Lack of equipping

Peter tells us we need to be ready to explain the faith and hope we have (1 Peter 3:15-16). It’s possible you haven’t been equipped to do this, but it’s not too late to prepare for potential questions that may come your way.

5. Lack of motivation

Perhaps, because of your past experience, you’re not that keen to get involved in evangelism.

6. Lack of love

When I sense my love for people waning, I pray, ‘Lord, let Your love carry me along like a fast-flowing river.’ I want to love the lost the way Jesus did.

7. Lack of God’s power

Spreading the good news of Jesus is only ever possible by the Holy Spirit’s power. Invite Him to work powerfully in and through you.

8. A wrong understanding of success

You may feel pressured to convert people, and disappointed when you don’t. But success is more about how we’ve lived the gospel and helped people on the journey to Christ by having meaningful faith conversations whenever we can.

Let’s stay teachable: open to becoming more effective evangelists. Let’s set out to converse, not to convert. It’s God’s responsibility to save people, so we needn’t use conversion numbers as the gauge of success. Let’s honestly assess our methods and motives for sharing our faith and give immediate attention to whatever needs fixing. Praise God: He can and will equip us to communicate His matchless message of saving grace.