For those of us who are inexperienced with evangelism, it can seem like a daunting idea. How can we be expected to know the answers to all of the questions an unbeliever might ask? What if we don’t have time to become an apologetics expert?
There is great news for us! We don’t have to become Billy Graham to share the Good News with our friends who don’t know Jesus.
In fact, Jesus sent out His disciples to be some of the first evangelists, and they didn’t go to seminary first!
“When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
He told them: ‘Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.’
So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.”
What does Luke 9 tell us about evangelism?
The twelve disciples that Jesus sent out were not learned scholars or men who were trained to be public speakers. Also, Jesus didn’t give them a script to read through before sending them out to “proclaim the Kingdom of God.” He didn’t even let them bring a change of clothes or a bag of supplies!
Jesus provided them with what He knew they needed: He gave them power and authority, and they had their own personal experiences with Jesus as they lived with Him, heard His teachings, and saw Him do miracles.
The twelve disciples had two missions: to tell people about Jesus and heal the sick.
And that is truly all it takes to be an evangelist. Tell those in your life about Jesus and love them well!
We overcomplicate evangelism to be something that has to be taught and trained, when all it takes is sharing the stories of what Jesus has done in your life as well as sharing the stories of Jesus Himself.
So today, remind yourself that sometimes God isn’t asking you to do more– He’s asking you to do less. Stop worrying about making sure you know the right historical context, or stressing about catching someone at a good time.
When you’re talking to a friend who doesn’t know Jesus, you can share sincerely what He is doing in your life and how He has changed you. If they have questions about something that you don’t know the answer to, offer to research the topic and get back to them about it. If they are interested in the Bible, set up a time for you to start reading it together! Start from the New Testament, from the Christmas story in Matthew and watch God work!
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for sending your Son Jesus to die for me. Thank you for loving me and desiring everyone to know you. Please give me the courage to share about you and open my eyes to every opportunity you provide me with to tell my friends about my Savior! Amen.
