Brief Answer:
There are many ways to share your relationship with Jesus with others to encourage them to find this saving grace. If you have to struggle to think of the last time you participated in the Great Commission, then it would be wise to find some way to make it more likely to fulfill this commission, because it is not a suggestion, but a command.
Detailed Answer:
The Great Commission given by Jesus (Matthew 28:16-20) is not a soft suggestion, after all Jesus did for us, we are expected to share and help others find this wonderful relationship. So if you, or your loved ones, are not investing in eternity, then it is serious for you to consider how to remedy this situation.
Christians fail to do this for several reasons: (1) feeling not made for such work, (2) fear of the response of others, (3) lack of confidence in sharing, feeling unprepared, not knowing what to say. As far as (1), we are all made for sharing our beliefs, so pray about how you fit in God’s plan for you, and join his plan. God specifically used introverts to do extrovert work, bad speakers for public speaking, scared people as war leaders. For (2), we have the God over all things on our side asking us to do this, there should be nothing making us fear from others compared to failing the only one worthy of fear.
We should expect (3). Once kicking God out of the public education system, most of our culture is educated on understanding the world without God. This creates God-sized holes in our education (this is the title of a book soon to be offered to help families know Why they believe WHAt they believe). Many expected church leaders or parents to pick up this part of our education, but that is not possible. Pastors have overwhelming demands, covering all aspects of the health of the church and its members, and parents have the same demanding responsibilities over their family. Therefore, what should have been happening is parents and church leadership call for scholars in the diverse academic areas to step out of their pews and fill in these God-sized holes.
And you will be amazed at the support for Christianity, and the answers to touch questions available! These will be provided throughout the FaithFactCheck.org website, but for now we will just focus on how we can find ways to share our faith.
And do not worry about the results. When you take a risk by participating in a competitive sport, or by investing serious funds in a financial investment, there is a potential of great gain and great loss. However, whenever you invest yourself in sharing Christ with others, it is an investment never failing to pay great gains beyond any temporary loss. Because regardless of how the person responds, how you are treated, or even how you feel afterward, God guarantees your investment is remembered and rewarded in eternity. The only way you lose is if you fail to invest.
What are some simple ways we can start to share our relationship with Jesus
- Live a life showing the difference Jesus makes
If people see no difference between you and someone who doesn’t have Jesus in their life, then it can make them stumble, and should make you check yourself. On the other hand, there are endless examples of people seeing the difference Christ makes in someone’s life, and wanting some of that.
- Whenever catching-up with someone
When you ask, “What’s new?”, or “How have you been?” or any version of the greeting, typically the question comes back to you.
If you subscribe to the website and get weekly information sheets or articles on interesting topics surrounding beliefs, then this is something you can share by bringing up something interesting you read, and ask their thoughts on it.
Other options include anything you are currently involved in, which the other person will recognize as directly related to beliefs or God. You can look over some interesting topic on the website, and say, “I have been involved in a new study that has been interesting …” Or, share an interesting question or fact: “Did you know the current science understanding about how the universe began?” Or, “I got to look over evidence from a cold case detective to determine if Jesus was a liar, lunatic, legend of the Lord.”
If the person is open to pursuing the topic, it will happen, either then, or maybe later as the person now knows you are open to share in this important area.
- Explain something you, someone you know, or even a character in a movie experienced, then explain what you would have done (should tie in to your Christian life), and then ask “What would you say and why?”
Example: My daughter was told by her science teacher she either had to accept what they taught her in school, or her religion. I told my daughter, whoever said that either doesn’t know “science”, doesn’t know Christianity, or has a weak understanding in both areas. And I plan to have a conversation with this teacher asking for an explanation of the situation. How would you have responded?
An example from a movie: Lex Luther asked Superman about the problem of pain/evil in the world. How would you have responded if your child asked for an answer, as I am wanting to be ready if mine asks me? Here is what I planned to say . . .
- Miscellaneous questions and techniques
Click on this link “Ten Easy Ways to Start Meaningful Dialogue” for an article by Steve Wagner, which covers some basic ways to start a talk about important issues.
The key to entering a meaningful conversation is to look for opportunities, then start the conversation by building a bridge with a friendly opener. The following list gives helpful tips for striking up conversations with non-believers.
- Be alert to circumstances where people might like to talk.
- Waiting rooms (doctor’s office, car repair, DMV)
- Social events (receptions, dinner parties)
- On-campus locations (central walking area, classes, library, computer center, student union)
- Lunchrooms
- Instant messenger forums
- Chat rooms or web forums
- Coffee shops
- Carpools
- Ask a question
- What do you think happens when we die? Do you believe in life after death?
- Do you have a background in religion? If so, what was it like?
- Was there ever a time you believed in God? If so, why did you think it changed?
- How important is spirituality to your life now?
- If God exists, would it be important for you to get your life right with Him?
- Do you put Jesus in the same category as other religious figures? Why or why not?
- What do you understand the core of the Christian message to be? In other words, what is your understanding of the gospel?
- Can you please tell me about the God you don’t believe in?
- Are there any things that attract you to religion? And are there any things that turn you away?
- What experiences have most shaped your spiritual life?
- What would it take for you to believe in God in general and Christianity in particular?
Many have never been asked these questions before. Simply raising them and giving genuine space to wrestle, can sometimes be transformative.
3. Show interest and get to know people better
“Can I ask your opinion about something?” “What do you think about…?” “What do you mean by…?”
4. Ask for help: “There’ something on my mind. Do you have a few minutes to talk?” Or, I cannot decide what I should do in this situation …”
5. Express amazement: “Did you hear about…?!” And bring up a topic that naturally leads into discussion about God or beliefs
6. Talk about current events
The common obsession with news allows initiating a conversation on meaningful topics. Government decisions, natural disasters, human rights violations, war, elections, foreign relations, cultural events, business mergers, and even sporting events all could be points of access to conversations touching on values, ethics, or religion.
7. News or magazine articles
Whether we like it or not, most public discourse happens in short articles surrounded by large photographs, images, or graphics of some kind. Use a recent article to express concern about something. Or ask someone sitting nearby what they think about a recent turn of events. Ask, “Did you see the photo of the terrorist bombing in Time today? Why do you think this keeps happening?” or “Have you read Anne Quindlen’s article in Newsweek on abortion? What did you think of it?
8. Discuss current movies or TV programs
Movies, TV shows, stories are filled with opportunities for discussion on the big questions in life. This makes the latest movie a great opportunity to discuss issues, especially if it is a drama people are taking seriously already. Ask, “Did you see this movie? Did you like it?” Then, listen closely to their response. When it’s your turn to share your opinion, offer a question or observation about a fundamental issue raised or a point of view advanced by the film, and then toss the ball back to the other person for their response.
Here are some things to keep in mind to avoid:
- Don’t do all the talking, interrupt often, or listen poorly
- Don’t try to win the argument, it is far less important than winning the person
- Don’t lose your calm, be gentle (I Peter 3:15)
- Don’t always be negative towards the other person’s points, or ungracious, aggressive, defensive, unfair, etc. (project confidence, not arrogance)
- Don’t open with, “Hi, my name is Scott, you are a sinner, you need Jesus!”
- Making stuff up or using weakly supported evidence
