One of the most exciting aspects of being a Christian is sharing the Good News of the Gospel with the unsaved people around you. While it can be a difficult, sometimes scary proposition, sharing the Gospel with others is one of the universal purposes that God has for all His people. However, it’s important that we understand that sharing the Gospel requires intentional, deliberate preparation. Here’s how to prepare yourself to share the Gospel.
All of us want to find God’s purpose for our lives. The fact that the King of Kings has a purpose specifically for you should leave you awestruck, humbled, and excited. However, in addition to the individualized callings that He has for all of us, there are also some universal callings that apply to all of God’s people. One such example of God’s universal callings is His desires for us to share the Good News of the Gospel with people around us. Regardless of your career choice and how much time you spend around others, you interact with unsaved individuals all the time. As a Christian, it is your responsibility to show them the truth of God’s love while presenting the Gospel to them in a way that causes them to want to accept the same Christ who is the Lord of your life.
It’s crucial that you go about this universal purpose the right way. If you’re going to effectively share the Gospel with others, you won’t be able to just wake up, go to your office, and start spouting Scripture off from your desk. Instead, it takes a deliberate, strategic approach that requires a great deal of thought. Before you start sharing the Gospel with others, it’s important that you make sure that you are prepared. Here are 4 tips for preparing yourself to share the Gospel with others.
Seeing Your Routine as an Opportunity
Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
This passage of Scripture is known as the “Great Commission.” It is found at the end of Saint Matthew’s Gospel, and was spoken by Christ just before He returned to Heaven after His resurrection. Isn’t it remarkable that this is the topic He wanted to share with the disciples at the end of His earthly life? It’s largely considered a fact that a person’s last words are the most important words of their lives. While we know that every word that Christ spoke was important, it’s incredible that the last thing that He discussed with the disciples was evangelism.
If you’re going to make a concerted commitment to share the Gospel with others, you will need to start looking for opportunities to do so. It’s easy to get so caught up in the mundane repetition of life that you forget that every day presents countless opportunities to interact with unsaved people.
For instance, every day when you go to work, you may interact with dozens of unsaved people. Obviously, your workplace may have rules in place that prohibit discussing religion while on the clock, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t find ways to show others the love of God during your time there.
Instead of getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, look for opportunities to share the Good News with the people around you. This can be something as a simple as telling someone, “I’m praying for you,” when you know they’re facing difficulty. When you’re constantly aware of the opportunities you have, you’re more likely to be able to take advantage of them.
Increasing Your Understanding
Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV)
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
You can only pour out to others what you have inside you. For instance, if you want to pour yourself a glass of milk, you go to the refrigerator, get out the container of milk, and pour. You can’t get milk out of a container of water or juice. In the same vein, you can’t pour out the Gospel to others unless you have the Gospel inside you.
Paul said that one of the most important aspects of dealing with outsiders (his term here for unbelievers) was to walk in wisdom. Godly Wisdom simply refers to relying on the word of God for our information. The only way to do that is to get the Word of God inside you. You can’t pour out what you don’t have.
You don’t have to be able to quote dozens of Scriptures verbatim to be an effective witness for Christ. However, it’s important that you understand enough about Scripture that you can at least answer questions that people will ask you. In order to do that, you will have to spend dedicated time reading and studying God’s Word so that you can truly “walk in wisdom.”
Let It Shine, Let it Shine, Let it Shine
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control; against such things there is now law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
When dealing with unsaved people, it’s important to note that they aren’t impressed with how many Bible verses you can quote. While they may come and ask questions that you can only answer through the use of Scripture, they will be more impressed with your willingness to help them than with your ability to recite Scripture.
In these verses, Paul listed the fruits that become evident in the life of believers who have truly submitted themselves to the Holy Spirit. When you are truly living a life of submission to Him, these fruits are a natural byproduct.
If you’ve ever heard the old song, “This Little Light of Mine,” you’ve heard the declaration that you’re going to “let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.” The most effective way of letting that light shine is to exhibit the traits that Paul outlined in these verses.
Pray for Open Doors
Colossians 4:3-4 (ESV)
At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison-that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
Finally, it’s important that you remember to pray before you set out on your mission to evangelize those around you. The way that you go about these conversations is every bit as important as the conversations themselves. It won’t be effective if you sit down beside an unsaved coworker and start telling him or her about your personal conversion and start sharing the Gospel with them. In all likelihood, it will turn them off to your message.
Instead, you will need to pray that God opens the doors that are necessary. Paul specifically asked the Christians in the Colossian Church to pray for God to open doors for them to share the Gospel. If Paul needed divine assistance, we can rest assured that we do too. Additionally, once that door opens, ask God for the boldness and the right words that the person you’re speaking with needs to hear.
A Closing Prayer:
Father, I know that part of Your purpose for my life and the lives of all Your people is to share the Gospel with the unsaved around us. We are Your witnesses to this lost world. Help me to be more effective at that. Show me opportunities in my daily life, give me a better understanding of Your Word, help me to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit, and open the doors I need. In Christ’s name, Amen.