Evangelism Tips
Evangelism is simply sharing your faith in Christ with
others. It focusses on telling those around us about God’s
love for them, about His plan for their salvation and that
Jesus came to die on the cross for our sin. It also
explains that we can find forgiveness for our sin, peace
with God and new life as we commit our lives to Christ.
Below are some tips that will help us all be more
effective in our evangelism efforts and helping others to
follow Christ on a daily basis.
1. Prayer
If we think about it, most of us who know Jesus Christ as
Lord and Saviour can probably look back and think of
someone who prayed for us to be saved.
When I am praying for someone I ask the Holy Spirit to
move in their lives, to draw them to Jesus Christ and make
them aware of the need for a Saviour. It is the Holy
Spirit who works in a persons life and brings them to
Jesus. We play our part in praying and sharing our faith,
but the Holy Spirit is the One who does the work of
salvation.
I have found that prayer also helps you to know who to
share your faith with. When I meet new people I always
pray and ask God if this is someone I should share my
faith with. If it is someone I need to talk to, I usually
find I have the desire to pray for them and opportunities
to talk open up in a natural way.
2. Prepare a Testimony
A testimony can bring the Bible to life. I have found that
people love hearing stories of how God has done great
things for you. When I share about my testimony I touch on
three main areas. These three things really help me to
structure my story and how Jesus’ story impacted and
changed my life.
My life before Christ – I share things like how I felt, my
illness, what sort of things I was in to, my upbringing
and the sense of emptiness I had inside. These things set
the scene.
My conversion – I then share how I came to Jesus. I talk
about how I was feeling in the year before coming to
Jesus, the people who helped me and the story of Jesus
coming to die on the cross for me.
How my life has changed – In this final section I share
how knowing Jesus personally has changed my whole life and
outlook. I talk about the love, acceptance, hope, joy and
purpose I now feel inside.
You can also share things some of the things that God has
done for you. I actually have several short testimonies
that I share with people depending on the situation. If it
is someone who is suffering with a long term illness, I
might share my story of being healed of Rheumatoid
Arthritis and how God has worked in my life through it. If
they are lonely or depressed I share the difference Christ
has made in my life and how that I never feel alone any
more. If they can't see anything good in the future or
have lost hope, I share how Christ has given me hope,
direction and a purpose for living.
3. Know relevant Bible verses
Work out a simple presentation by putting a few verses
together and memorise them. You might like to write them
in the back of your Bible so you can refer to them easily.
If you can't remember them all, remember the first one and
put references to the next one in your margin of your
Bible.
“Romans road” is a great place to start -
The Natural State Of Man - Romans 3:10 “As it is written,
There is none righteous, no, not one”
The Reason - Romans 3:23 “For everyone has sinned; we all
fall short of God's glorious standard.”
The Cause - Romans 5:12 “When Adam sinned, sin entered the
world. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to
everyone, for everyone sinned.”
The Penalty - Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death,
but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ
Jesus our Lord.”
The Love of God - Romans 5:8 “But God showed His great
love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were
still sinners. ”
The Remedy - Romans 10:9-10 “If you confess with your
mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that
God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made
right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth
that you are saved.”
The Decision - Romans 10:13 “For "Everyone who calls on
the name of the LORD will be saved."
4. Think about questions people may ask
Many people have big questions that act as sticking
points, which prevent them from going further in accepting
Christ. Some can be like a minor bump in the road, others
can be like a roadblock! If you can answer these questions
they might be able to move a step closer to receiving
Christ.
Here are some that I have been asked -
Why is there so much suffering in this world if there is a
loving God?
How could a loving God send people to hell if they don't
believe in Him?
Why do you believe Jesus Christ the only way to salvation?
What happens to those who don’t accept Jesus?
Why do you believe?
What does it means to be born again?
What happens when we die?
It is a great idea to have answers ready, especially
Biblical answers! If you can’t answer a question be honest
and let the person know. Tell them you will look it up or
talk to a friend who can help and you will get back to
them.
5. Have some evangelistic tools handy
There are a variety of evangelistic tools that you can use
to reach people. Sometimes people seem to want to talk
about things at the strangest times. Having something on
hand can help in those situations. Here are a few examples
-
Tracts – You can keep one handy in your purse or wallet
just in case an opportunity arises. They are very handy if
you don’t have much time or perhaps are a bit nervous
about sharing your faith. You can even put a library
pocket in the back of all your books. Instead of a library
card, put a tract in it!
MP3s and CDs – A simple gospel message recorded may be all
it takes to reach someone. Perhaps you could record your
testimony or what you believe and give it to people who
ask questions.
Books – Look out for books on different issues especially
ones where you friends or family may be interested in or
if they are going through hard times.
Websites – Look out for websites that may help you to
reach your friends. Many websites have a “refer to a
friend” page that sends an email message on your behalf
bringing the site to their attention. You can also share
things on Facebook or Twitter for a wider audience.
DVDs – The “Jesus” video is a great way to reach people.
In just over an hour you see the whole life of Christ and
at the end if gives the opportunity to receive Christ as
Lord and Saviour. You could buy one for yourself and one
to give away!
6. Learn the sinner’s prayer
The sinner’s prayer is a simple prayer that you can go
through with someone to make their connection with Jesus
Christ. It gives the person the opportunity to confess
their sin to God and invite Jesus Christ into their lives
as Lord and Saviour. There are two examples below that you
can use or memorise.
From Billy Graham
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for
Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose
from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come
into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as
my Lord and Saviour. In Your Name. Amen
From Campus Crusade for Christ
Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross
for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as
my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and
giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my
life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be. Amen
Prayer
Dear God,
I pray that You will use me to reach others for Christ.
Please help me to be effective in sharing my faith. Please
help me to know whom to talk to and I pray that You will
give me the right words to say when the time comes. I pray
for all my family, friends and neighbours. I pray that the
Holy Spirit will draw them to Jesus and make them aware of
their need for salvation. Please use me to lead them to
Christ. I also pray Lord that when people come to You that
You will help me to teach them about You and how to follow
You each day. I pray that I will help make disciples.
I ask this in Jesus', Amen.
By Dave Quinn
Founder of PASSION Australia
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