For most of us, the answer would have to be a resounding yes.
And for many of us, one of our New Year’s resolutions just might be to share our faith with someone.
Maybe someone in particular.
Maybe just anyone.
But we struggle because we are afraid it could be awkward.
Or that they might ask us a question for which we don’t have the answer.
Or one of a host of other reasons.
There is a way to approach evangelism that may help it feel more natural.
Think of it like this.
Think about the new Disney+ show The Mandalorian.
Of course, you may not have seen that show yet. And maybe television isn’t an important element in your life.
Maybe you need to think about that great Chinese restaurant you just found.
Or that book.
Or that band.
Or that new pair of shoes.
Something that you are excited about. Something you can’t wait to tell your friends and family about. (You see where this is going.) Something you will tell them about, even if they didn’t ask.
Even if you don’t know if they like Star Wars.
Or Chinese food.
Or reading.
Or music.
Or shoes.
Even if they might ask you questions you aren’t ready for. Even if they didn’t ask for your opinion.
When we are excited about something, we just naturally talk about it.
My guess is, you have never had to take an instructional class about how to tell people about your favorite movie. [This isn’t to say that evangelism training is bad. It’s not. And it certainly fills a need for many believers.] My guess is that you just told them.
Because you were excited.
You liked it, and you want them to like it too.
You think that thing you just found is fantastic and you want them to experience it too. The way that you did. You want them to be enriched the way you were. You just know that if they watch, eat, read, listen to or wear it, they will find it as wonderful as you do.
And often what we talk about is what we love about it. How our lives are better because of it. (One of my favorite testimonies in the bible is in John 9; see especially verse 25.) So, while we may not need a PhD in theology, we do need to know what Jesus has done for us. What it is we love about Him.
So, is it possible that we don’t need another program?
That it’s not that we need more training so that we will tell people about Jesus?
Is it possible that it is simpler than that?
We just need to get excited?
Let’s fall in love with Jesus all over again in 2020.
Think of it like your favorite TV show
Do you ever struggle to share your faith?
For most of us, the answer would have to be a resounding yes.
And for many of us, one of our New Year’s resolutions just might be to share our faith with someone.
Maybe someone in particular.
Maybe just anyone.
But we struggle because we are afraid it could be awkward.
Or that they might ask us a question for which we don’t have the answer.
Or one of a host of other reasons.
There is a way to approach evangelism that may help it feel more natural.
Think of it like this.
Think about the new Disney+ show The Mandalorian.
Of course, you may not have seen that show yet. And maybe television isn’t an important element in your life.
Maybe you need to think about that great Chinese restaurant you just found.
Or that book.
Or that band.
Or that new pair of shoes.
Something that you are excited about. Something you can’t wait to tell your friends and family about. (You see where this is going.) Something you will tell them about, even if they didn’t ask.
Even if you don’t know if they like Star Wars.
Or Chinese food.
Or reading.
Or music.
Or shoes.
Even if they might ask you questions you aren’t ready for. Even if they didn’t ask for your opinion.
When we are excited about something, we just naturally talk about it.
My guess is, you have never had to take an instructional class about how to tell people about your favorite movie. [This isn’t to say that evangelism training is bad. It’s not. And it certainly fills a need for many believers.] My guess is that you just told them.
Because you were excited.
You liked it, and you want them to like it too.
You think that thing you just found is fantastic and you want them to experience it too. The way that you did. You want them to be enriched the way you were. You just know that if they watch, eat, read, listen to or wear it, they will find it as wonderful as you do.
And often what we talk about is what we love about it. How our lives are better because of it. (One of my favorite testimonies in the bible is in John 9; see especially verse 25.) So, while we may not need a PhD in theology, we do need to know what Jesus has done for us. What it is we love about Him.
So, is it possible that we don’t need another program?
That it’s not that we need more training so that we will tell people about Jesus?
Is it possible that it is simpler than that?
We just need to get excited?
Let’s fall in love with Jesus all over again in 2020.
Let’s get excited.