If we were looking at one another over a cup of coffee at my kitchen table, I would ask you what you think is the hardest part of sharing Jesus with others. I think the answers might be different for each of us, though there would probably be some common threads: fear of rejection, opportunity, don’t want to come off as weird, lack of courage to speak up, or not being sure what to say. I’m sure the list could go on. I think the hardest part of sharing Jesus is simply sharing Jesus, right?
A disciple of Christ is commanded to go and make disciples. How are you doing with that? There is no judgment or condemnation in that, only a heart-felt question to you. Perhaps we make too much of the whole process.
Perhaps we fail to realize the eternal importance of it. Perhaps we think someone else—anyone else—is better qualified. I’d like to open the conversation as part of our Discipleship series because we cannot really flourish in the Kingdom until we learn to share Jesus with others. And, it is not as hard as you might think.
Followers of Jesus can simply follow the example Jesus set for us in sharing Himself with others. Jesus met people where they were. He had ordinary conversations with people He met wherever He met. And Jesus told stories. Stories about the Kingdom of God.
I don’t think Jesus had a program for encouraging other believers or an evangelism program for non-believers. I believe Scripture is clear. Jesus simply talked to people. He built relationships with people. He saw them at their point of need and spoke to that need.
Sharing Jesus with others can be as easy as just having a conversation. Do you talk to other believers about what God is teaching you or how you are seeing Him move in your life? If not, this is a good place to start. If you’re not comfortable talking to other believers about Jesus, then the chances are pretty good that you won’t ever jump into the unknown territory of talking with someone who doesn’t know Jesus yet. It’s just too risky.
So, how do you start a conversation with another believer about spiritual matters? How about this, “What has the Lord been teaching you lately?” or “What is your favorite Bible verse?” and then ask them why or simply “How is your walk with Christ these days?” “Is there any way that I can pray for you this week?” is another good conversation starter.
Do you have stories about how God has worked in your life? Simply ask the Holy Spirit to give you opportunities to share your stories and then pay attention as you go through your day. Ask for the courage to speak up. Start with people you feel really safe with. I am fairly certain that the more you bring the conversation to the Lord, the easier it will become.
Asking questions is a great way to get a conversation started. Jesus did that all the time. It only takes a little forethought to ask other questions after “How are you?” or “How’s the weather?”
Friends, I know how easy it is to keep silent or to think that you couldn’t possibly share with anyone about your walk with the Lord. Believe it or not, at one time in my life, I was extremely shy. I didn’t talk to most people about anything. I have learned to share with others one conversation at a time. Over the years it has become much easier for me. It won’t happen overnight or even in a week, but over time you can take tiny steps of faith in the right direction.
I would like to challenge you this week to be mindful of opportunities to turn the conversation to the Lord with some of your closest friends or family. How I would love to meet back in a week to hear your stories!
Lord, teach us to have conversations that matter with people. Help us learn to talk to others about what You are doing in our lives and to ask them about what You are doing in theirs. Help us to have the courage to grow and the faith to believe our conversations can have eternal significance. We know you want us to share the Gospel with others, Lord. Please forgive us for not learning how and help us to begin this week by simply sharing with a trusted friend. Help us, Holy Spirit, to be able to encourage someone this week with our story. Help us to be willing and courageous enough to be salt and light as You have called us to be.
Living boldly for God,
Kathy Foor
CGWM Director