Sharing the Gospel One Conversation at a Time
4 minute read
When we get an opportunity to share the gospel, it’s easy to feel the pressure to get every word right or to launch straight into a full “Gospel 101” presentation. But often, the most impactful conversations begin not with speaking, but with listening.
When we take time to understand someone’s background, beliefs and barriers, we show them love and respect—and we gain insight into how best to share the hope of Christ.
1. Understand their Background
Whether we realise it or not, our own background - and the backgrounds of those we meet - play a huge part in how we share the gospel. Whether churched or unchurched; a specific religion or denomination; it’s helpful to try and glean some information about their background and whether faith is something which they consider important in their life.
Try asking:
“Is faith something you have ever considered?”
“What has been your experience with faith or church?”
Every single person has a unique story and background, but you will find similarities and points to draw on.
2. Explore their Beliefs
It’s important to realise that background doesn’t necessarily equal beliefs, so once you have discovered something about their background, you could use it to direct your next questions.
Someone raised in an evangelical church may not share the beliefs of that church. In fact, they may push back from those beliefs.
Someone raised in a Catholic church may uphold some of the Catholic beliefs, but not others.
Someone raised in a Muslim culture may follow the traditions, but may not have any real belief in the teachings.
The only way to find out what someone's beliefs are is to ask them!
“To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.
Proverbs 18:13”
This isn’t the Spanish inquisition though: we ask from a place of interest and out of a desire to help point them to Jesus.
Consider saying:
“You say you grew up in X, are those beliefs important to you?”
“What gives you hope when things get tough?”
“Have you ever considered what Jesus taught?”
Or even
“I don’t know very much about X, could you explain what the key beliefs are?”
3. Identify Barriers
When talking with someone about their backgrounds and beliefs, you will inevitably come across some of their barriers. They might share why one particular church or denomination let them down, or why one particular Christian teaching causes them a problem. It may be that they walked away from a religion because they couldn’t meet the standards that they believed were expected of them. All of this information is incredibly helpful when trying to talk to someone about the uniqueness of the gospel.
Maybe say:
“It sounds like you’ve been let down by religion. I’d love to tell you why Jesus is different.”
“You mention that you don’t think you are good enough, can I share with you what the Bible teaches about that?”
As you listen, pay attention to:
Pain points – areas of hurt, loss or disappointment.
Longings – desires for purpose, love or justice.
Assumptions – about God, religion or what the Bible really teaches.
“The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,
but one who has insight draws them out.”
Proverbs 20:5
Someone wrestling with guilt may need to hear about grace. Someone feeling alone may need to know God’s presence.
Once you’ve listened well, you can share the gospel in a way that connects personally. Instead of a generic message you can share a response tailored to the individual.
We should also try to avoid debates and red herrings if possible. Keeping it simple, clear, and centered on Jesus -His life, death, and resurrection - and the invitation for everyone to trust Him.
4. Pray Blessings
Maybe your conversation went brilliantly, and you managed to share what you felt was a clear and concise gospel presentation. Perhaps you feel you got sucked into a conversation about secondary issues. Faithful sharing of the gospel done in a winsome way can be used by the Spirit to bring glory to God, no matter how we feel it went.
“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.”
1 Corinthians 3:6
Pray that you may get a future opportunity to speak to that person, or that any resources you were able to suggest and pass on would be read.
Ultimately, pray that God would be glorified, and Jesus recognised as the only way to a restored relationship with God.
Helpful books:
How to talk about Jesus without being That guy
How to talk about Jesus without looking like an idiot
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