We're all called to do it (see Why). Many don't know how. Many other people make it seem really complicated. Evangelism is actually so simple that a child can do it after one lesson. We just pray for people, share the Gospel, and leave the rest to God. How do we share the Gospel?
Let's look at Biblical examples of evangelism: Demoniac, Samaritan woman, Peter, Peter, Peter, Paul, Paul, Paul, and Paul. What's in common is telling people who Jesus is, that they're sinners on the way to judgement, what Jesus did for them, and to put their faith in Him. These components make up the true Gospel. How does that work?
[Jesus said,] "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him." (John 6:44)
"For, 'Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.' How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in him whom they have not heard? How will they hear without a preacher? And how will they preach unless they are sent?... So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:13-17)
For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified." (Romans 8:29-31)
God describes salvation as something He does in people through the Gospel, His Word, which we share. God's Word says the Father draws us in, faith comes through hearing the Word, and it begins with the Spirit convicting us of our sin. If you share the real Gospel, most people will reject it immediately while the elect will believe it eventually. In rare cases, you might see someone profess Christ. If they reject it, you move on to another person. If you even got to share, praise God that He gave them an opportunity. Parables of the Farmer and Sower say God grades us on effort while He decides what grows.
That might sound too easy. In truth, our flesh is so hostile to God (1/2) that you can't convince anyone to believe. They'll always find an excuse not to. God always works through people sharing His Word. Re-read the Biblical examples if you doubt that. Now, there's certainly times to teach people what Scripture says, debate with apologetics, and so on. That's also in the Word. In each situation, God inspired people to ask His servants questions that created opportunities to share that information. Sometimes, they're answering someone in a crowd in case others are listening. For these situations, we should keep studying how to answer common questions, objections, and so on. I have links to give people for those. In each case, point them to the Word first before giving other arguments since the elect believe by faith in God's Word. Praise God that He made it that simple for us because sharing is hard enough already.
We share with two tools: God's story; our story.
For now, learn one that's easy to share: one-verse Bridge (video), Four Laws, Romans Road (video), or mine. Memorize the verses. Practice explaining each point in your own words in a sentence or two. You don't need any more than that. That it!
Here's how you make it. Pick two words describing your life before Jesus. Then, you say how you found Christ. Then, two words describing your life afterward. Aim for 20s so you can say this even in a short, grocery line.
Ex: "I was arrogant and hopeless. Everything I was doing got nowhere. I was miserable. Friends told me how Jesus changed their lives. I put my faith and life into Jesus' hands. He changed mine, too. Now, I feel deep peace and even the little things I do have a purpose."
Basic Format
In South Asia, the Gospel spreads in places where it's illegal to share it. Yet, there's over a thousand churches. They don't have professional evangelists or seminaries over there either. How did it spread? How do they open these conversations?
You're going to be blown away by this opener: "Do you know who Jesus Christ is and what He did for us? May I share it with you? It's really important!"
If they let you tell them, tell them the Gospel. God will do what He wants from there. If they don't listen, we're commanded to move on. They may or may not get another chance.
Given how serious it is, we are also commanded to plead with people before dropping it. We want them to know it's serious. We quit only on a solid no. You might tell them something like, "Now, God's Word says we'll all face Him when we die to give account for everything we did in our lives. God is holy and good. He can't stand evil. If you've ever sinned... told a lie, looked at people lustfully, thought something mean, put yourself before your Creator... you will be judged for that. God says we're tormented in a lake of fire with no end. I definitely don't want that to happen to you. There's only one way out of it. May I tell you what that is so you can avoid it?"
If they still reject it, accept it with a warning: "Ok. God commands us to let people choose heaven or burning in Hell. I won't ask you again. I'll pray God helps you find the truth."
Other Openers
Question: "Are You a Good Person?"
Ask them if they've lied, stolen, etc to compare them to the Ten Commandments. Tell them that, if we don't meet God's law, then we go to Hell. God's Word has good news for us, though. Share the Gospel.
(Note: This page has plenty of examples from Ray Comfort with links to their training. They're good.)
Question: "How about something real. We're all going to die one day. It could happen any time, any second. If you died and faced God today, would he let you into heaven? Why or why not?"
You will see what they believe in. The only correct answer is "I'll get into heaven by faith in Jesus Christ. His sacrifice for my sins." If they say anything else, offer to share the Gospel.
Their Question: "So, what's your story?"
You share your personal testimony. Anything between the shortest and longest version based on what you think fits. You put that mini-Gospel in there to let them hear something. Then, you can ask them: "What about you? Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ? Do you know who He is and what He did for you?"
Memorize your verses and Gospel tool. Re-read them every morning. Practice them with a friend. You want to be able to get that out even half asleep. Believe me when I say people will stop you at the worst times, esp when you're really tired. God is testing your commitment in those moments. Be grateful again that what He expects you to know is simple.
Set aside time to read the Word, pray, and share the Gospel. For each of these, make time to do it intentionally where it's the main thing you're focused on. If you don't, it often won't happen. God's Word says justification is something He does Himself but our sanctification takes discipline. Paul likens it to an athlete disciplining their bodies in training. We must put work in.
Pray! The most important step! You pray for God to give you opportunities, open people's hearts, help you proclaim His truth boldly, and grant healing and miracles if He will to make it hit harder. We pray every day because nothing will happen without the Spirit's help. Whatever He gives us is what He wants us to do. What comes out of our mouth or happens (or doesn't happen) is His will happening exactly the way He planned it. God makes no mistakes. God uses us in spite of our weaknesses. Yet, we must pray and put in effort like Christ did and commanded.
Your social circle. That's your family, friends, and people you regularly see (eg work/school). You can share with strangers you encounter throughout the day. People you can't talk to for a long time, like cashiers or drive-throughs, you can give a Gospel tract to. Your main goal is face-to-face sharing since God mostly works through that. Make sure the tract has Bible verses about sin, judgement, and the cross. It must convict people. Bonus for fun: this bomber came to Christ with a tract.
You can also put a link to the Gospel in your social media profiles, email signatures, and so on. Examples: web presentation; Bridge video.
Day to day, bring God into how you naturally talk about things. I'm not having a good day: "I'm blessed." I might respond to "How's it been?" with "Struggling but seeing Jesus move in people's lives. How are you?" Listen to or hum Gospel-centered music. Share fun stories or beautiful pictures of nature with people thanking God for it as you do. We just embed Jesus into our lives as a constant act of worship to Him and reminder to others. God might use any mention of Jesus to draw people in. Or they'll hate you and you'll suffer for righteousness' sake. Blessed either way.
Today. Now. :)
That's our other mission. Build them up!
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