If our focus as believers is to be disciples of Christ who make disciple makers, how can we do it better?
We know that God calls us to share his gospel with those around us, and we truly desire for them to respond in faith and, in turn, share it with others—but where do we begin?
Here are a few thoughts and tips to help engage in this all-important task:
Connecting With the Lost
To have the opportunity to share our hope in the gospel, we need to be intentionally building relationships with unbelievers. We need to reach people where they are. An increasing majority of people in the US and in post-Christian Europe are not going to come to church to hear the gospel.
We need to go to them.
In addition to looking for opportunities to share Christ in everyday interactions, we must also find ways to intentionally stay connected with those who are lost. Many Christians only have a small circle of unsaved friends. As we grow closer to Christ, it is true that we will have less in common with unbelievers and won’t be able to participate in some conversations or activities. However, if our Lord was able to be “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Luke 7:34), then so can we.
Sometimes we get so deep in our Christian circles that we might not even know where to go to build friendships with lost people. One of our retired missionaries, Doug Fry, encourages his church members to “find their tribe.” In other words, find people who do what you enjoy. Then do your shared interests with these unbelievers. Encourage church members to connect with others by using their interests: gyms, running clubs, singing clubs, music groups, martial arts classes, surfing, CrossFit, motorcycle clubs, hiking, and many more. Find an activity that can be done with unsaved people and use it to connect with them. This is often where gospel conversations happen.
I know from experience that it’s easier to prioritize programs and projects instead of people. Jesus always prioritized people. When people are the priority, we will connect with those who are lost.
Jesus was “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Luke 7:34). Are we?
Starting Gospel Conversations
Connecting over an activity or being a friend is not enough; we need to have gospel conversations. Sometimes during a conversation, there is a natural opening for a clear and bold gospel presentation. But do you ever find it hard to start these conversations?
Most evangelism tools assume you are already in a conversation with someone. These tools help us clearly present the gospel, but they rarely help us start conversations. We need to be friendly and talk to people—anytime, anywhere, with anyone. Have the courage to start a conversation that could change someone’s eternity!
Here are a few tips I have found helpful for starting conversations that naturally lead to the gospel. Most are from the books Sent, by Ashley and Heather Holleman[1], and God Space, by Doug Pollock[2] (I highly recommend both):
See People as Jesus Does
Gospel conversations happen as a result of seeing people the way Jesus does. We need to slow down enough to care for each individual as a person. When people feel you genuinely care, it opens doors for deeper conversations. Make this your daily prayer: “Lord, help me to see others as you do.”
Smile
Smiling is a visible way to show our joy in God and love for others. The power of a smile is often overlooked, yet it has a profound impact around the world. A smile shows that you are friendly and approachable—something people look for when starting conversations.
Find Something To Comment On
We can comment on something we have in common, such as the weather, shared experiences, or interests. We can notice something they enjoy and comment on it (pets, hobbies, etc.). We can also observe something to genuinely compliment them on. What we say doesn’t have to be earth-shattering, just say something to break the ice. Finding common ground is easier when we are involved in activities and hobbies with unbelievers—be a friend of sinners.
Ask Open Questions About the Other Person
Be curious! Being curious helps us ask deeper questions that people enjoy answering. People love to talk about themselves and things they find interesting—asking questions shows that we care about them as a person. “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4).
Most people will mention, often in passing, the things they love or want to talk about. As people tell us about themselves, try to actively listen and ask follow-up questions. Using open questions promotes good conversation because they require some level of explanation and cannot be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.”
Examples: “What made you want to become a _______?” “Why do you enjoy _______?”
[1] Ashley & Heather Holleman, Sent: Living a Life that Invites Others to Jesus (Moody Publishers, 2020, Kindle Edition).
[2] Doug Pollock, God Space: Where Spiritual Conversations Happen Naturally (LifeTree, 2009, Kindle Edition).
Editor’s Note: This article was adapted by ABWE from Kyle Farran’s book Godly Grit: Unshakable Resilience and Grit for Life and Leadership.
