Evangelism is something we are all called to as followers of Christ. Here are a few principles to keep in mind as you share the hope of the gospel with the people God brings into your life.

1. BEGIN WITH PRAYER.

Pray for those in your world (your “oikos”), who are far from God. Pray for opportunities to share your faith with them. Also pray that their hearts would be receptive to the gospel as you share His story with them.

2. LEARN THE GOSPEL. DON’T JUST MEMORIZE IT.

Go beyond just learning the basic outline of the gospel. Learn how to explain it in your own words. When you share the gospel presentation, it should grow out of your own personality, spiritual gifts, abilities, and life experiences so that it is more natural for you.

3. LISTEN AND ASK QUESTIONS.

It is through listening to the other person that you earn the right to be heard. Through listening, you are able to discern where the person you are talking to is in their journey, what struggles they are they facing, and their worldview. It is through listening that you learn how to best explain the gospel message in order that the person you’re sharing with listens and understands. Listening is perhaps THE most important skill is sharing the gospel. Learning the details of the gospel is relatively easy. Learning how to present the gospel in manner that reaches someone requires active listening, both to the person you’re sharing with and the Holy Spirit.

 4. ENGAGE IN HOSPITALITY

If listening is a way to understand the other person’s life, hospitality is allowing the person who doesn’t know Christ to enter your life and see how He has makes a difference in how you live. (Note: hospitality is used here in the sense of interacting socially with the other person, not just inviting people into your home.) It’s about learning to intentionally interact with people who need Jesus where they live, work, and play.

 5. TELL STORIES.

Share the Biblical story of redemption as well your own stories of God’s real and life-changing presence in your life. As America increasingly becomes a non-Christian culture, storytelling becomes increasingly important as a means of sharing the gospel.

6. BE PATIENT, LEAVING THE RESULTS TO GOD.

Remember that God is the One who will produce the results. Your job is to faithfully share and trust Him with the outcome. Even if you don’t see an immediate decision for Christ made, God has still used you to communicate the truth of the gospel and planted a seed in the heart of the person you’ve shared with.

To help you further understand the gospel and prepare to share it with someone else, view this gospel presentation from Pastor Mike Glenn.