Often people ask how to get started in sharing the Gospel. I find that even in my own teaching on the subject, I might overlook some very practical things in regards to sharing the Gospel. We read books, took classes, and sought new and creative ways to get out in our community to share the message of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. Sadly, we had missed the forest for the trees. When we started to see all the interactions we have day in and day out, it became more important to discern which opportunities to take advantage of. Here are a few ways we have found that God often uses to speak about the Savior.
First of all we encourage you to be faithful to live the Gospel with your family, friends, coworkers, and classmates. These relationships are longer term and generally more productive in the long term. Once you have been faithful in your daily interactions with the unsaved, you most likely will want to extend beyond what you know and meet new people for the express purpose of proclaiming the Gospel. That is where these tips will come in handy. I hope you find one or two in the list below to prayerfully consider.
- Knock on doors in your neighborhood. Take the family with you, possibly make some cookies, introduce yourself. People will see from your actions what Christianity is all about, so be an example of Christ-likeness. Holidays are often a good time to do some themed outreach.
- Invite people for something fun - have friends and neighbors over for a Saturday BBQ. Being a good neighbor is important. We want to serve others and give the glory to God. Matthew 5:16
- Get a group together to go sing hymns at nursing homes (works all year - not just at Christmas). Often, nursing homes and retirement communities are neglected except on rare occasions. Maybe start a weekly time for your family or a few Christians to get together for singing and reading or studying God's Word at the local library or other public place.
- Rent a booth at the local fair. We suggest giving away Gospel materials and water bottles or some such item often forgotten or highly marked up item at the fair. Don't set up next to a vendor selling the same item, as this might cause a problem.
- Start a marriage study in your home. We recommend the Love and Respect DVD series, available on our Resources page as a means to share very practical tips on understanding men's and women's issues from a Biblical standpoint. This series is not preachy, but does garner its wisdom from God's Word. Emerson Eggerichs was not a Christian all his life, and does a good job of reaching out to non-Christians and giving very practical advice that is helpful in marriage and all relationships.
- Start a weekly kids Bible club in your home. You don't need to be a doctrinal giant to teach kids the Gospel. Be sure that when telling stories from the Bible that you use the Biblical text from a readable version for your audience. Make sure they know the stories are true and factual, not just fairy tales to add to the list of fiction they hear and see so often.
You will note that many of our ideas focus around your home and community rather than where you meet as a church. Let's face it, generally nobody lives at the church building, chapel, or rented hall that folks use for gatherings. Those you are trying to reach don't have or want a relationship with a building, but with a family, a home, people with faces and experiences who will lovingly show them the truth of God's Word. There is great value in some respects to a building for your church, but don't overvalue it to the neglect of your home, your community, your neighbors.
Ray Comfort of Living Waters and Way of the Master helped me see this principle with an illustration: Inviting people to events at your church building is akin to inviting criminals to the police station. You can chrome plate the bars, carpet the cells, have an international police speaker and a great police band, but you’re still not going to get many criminals to come to the police station. The church is where the saints gather together. The world is where we go out into with the gospel. They’ll come when they’re converted, but probably not before , not if we’re preaching things like sin, righteousness and judgment.
As you reach out with the Gospel, be true to God's Word and don't try to change the message to fit what people want to hear. Be sure of what the Bible says and refer to it often. The Bible is our source of truth and authority. Some will reject it, but those who the Lord is calling will open up and hear it. Our part is to proclaim the message, it is God's job to convict the sinner and bring the fruit of repentance and life. Be faithful, be courageous, be a good neighbor and reach those around you for Christ.
