How To Share Your Faith With Non-Believers (Without the Fire and Brimstone)
As Christians, sharing our faith is not just a good thing to probably do. It’s a command. Some of Christ’s last words on earth were, “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).
This does not mean go and make signs that say “You’re Going to Hell” or decorate your car with stickers that read “Repent, or Perish.” We are to approach evangelism with kindness, love, patience and compassion. It will most likely feel uncomfortable. It may even be a little awkward. But remember, God doesn’t call us to live a life of comfort (Luke 9:23). Yet, we can rest assured knowing that when we obey Him, He is with us.
Okay, so we know the fire and brimstone method of sharing our faith is not ideal, but what are some practical steps we can take to make sure we’re sharing the love of Christ with those around us? Here are some thoughts to get you started.
1. LIVE A GODLY LIFE
First and foremost, one of the best ways to share your faith is by living a Godly life. Christians often get a bad rap for being hypocritical. Check in with your personal relationship with God. Do you feel near to Him or distant? What has your prayer life been like in the past week? When was the last time you devoted quiet time to reading the Bible? Are you regularly connected to the Body of Christ? It wouldn’t be very authentic to share your faith with others when you aren’t living it out. In addition, it’s important to exemplify Christlikeness towards others. Show those you interact with that you truly care by listening to their problems, helping out when you can, demonstrating patience and kindness, choosing to love difficult people, and treating others with respect. Combine this with the suggestions below and watch as God works through you to reach the lost.
2. CASUALLY MENTION YOU’RE A CHRISTIAN
On Monday when your co-workers ask the inevitable “how was your weekend?” use it as an opportunity to be honest and share that you went to church. I used to find myself wanting to leave that part out when I got that question. I didn’t want to “offend” anybody… but then I realized just how ridiculous that mindset is. Church is something I look forward to every weekend, so why all of a sudden is it something to diminish? Now, I talk about my small group, share something that happened when I was serving in the nursery, etc. You can do the same! There’s no need to be extra about it, but you certainly shouldn’t feel shame. Who knows, it may open up new curiosities and further dialogue.
3. ASK QUESTIONS
Behavioral psychology research demonstrates we don’t change our minds based on evidence and arguments but rather based on relationships of trust and respect. Let your guard down and accept that everyone will react differently and that’s okay. Begin by asking what people believe and show genuine interest by asking open-ended questions about their thoughts and values. Keep in mind, that it's hard for an unbeliever to feel threatened when he/she is the one doing most of the talking.
4. BE HONEST AND SHARE THAT YOU DON’T HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS
Another bad rap Christians get? Acting like know-it-alls. I’ll be honest, I do not know the Bible inside and out. I have not read ever single page. There are some books I haven’t even gotten to yet. And I am pretty sure I am not alone. Let’s stop pretending that we have to have all the answers in order to be “qualified” to share our faith. Instead, speak from your own experiences. How has your relationship with God impacted your life? What is your testimony? People will respond much better to a personal story than a bunch of doctrine and religious mumbo jumbo.
5. ALWAYS RESPOND WITH EMPATHY
It’s important to remember that often questions like “If God is good why does he allow suffering” come from a very specific and personal place. Rather than try to erase the question with a clever answer, helping someone to feel the comfort of God’s love is the best thing we can do from them.
So, what do you think? Which one of these things will you do this week and next to start sharing your faith with others? Let us know if there’s anything we missed. How would you go about it?
WRITTEN BY NIYAH SIMONE
Partly Adapted From Elizabeth Oldfield Interview for Magnify Magazine
https://billygraham.org/story/sharing-your-faith-101/
