Stepping into the World – Living the Gospel in Your Community
You may be familiar with the phrase “in the world but not of the world”, but what exactly does it mean, and how does it work out in our day‑to‑day lives?
Why friendships shift over time
I don’t know how long you’ve been a Christian, but what I’ve observed is this: when people first come to Jesus and find forgiveness, they often have a high proportion of non‑Christian friends or acquaintances and only a small number of Christian friends. Over time, that balance shifts, (and in most cases eventually flips) so that the majority of their friendships are with other Christians. For those who work in Christian ministries or organisations, the proportion of non‑Christian friends can become very low.
What does the Bible teach about friendships?
We may presume that’s natural. In coming to Christ, we cast off our old lives and step into a new one; a new family of Christian brothers and sisters with whom we now share far more in common than with our non‑Christian friends. Plus, there are many verses in the Bible that warn us about the influence of bad company:
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” Paul quoting the Greek poet Menander, 1 Corinthians 15 v 33
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.” Psalm 1 v 1
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” Proverbs 13:20
Even the world itself has something to say about this:
Entrepreneur Dan Peña: “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.”
Motivational speaker Jim Rohn: “You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”
While Christian friendships are enriching and there is great value in nurturing them, should we avoid friendships with non‑Christians and surround ourselves only with Christian influences?
In Matthew 9, Jesus is described as spending time with sinners. The Pharisees were quick to challenge Him about this, but it’s here we hear His well‑known words: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick… For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9 v 12-13
In John 17, Jesus prays for His followers:
“I am coming to you now. But I pray these things while I am still in the world so that these followers can have all of my joy in them. I have given them your teaching. And the world has hated them, because they don’t belong to the world, just as I don’t belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world but to keep them safe from the Evil One. They don’t belong to the world, just as I don’t belong to the world. Make them ready for your service through your truth; your teaching is truth. I have sent them into the world, just as you sent me into the world.” John 17 v 13-18
Jesus’ prayer for us is not that we’re taken out of the world, but that we’re protected from the evil one while we’re in it.
So Scripture gives us both a warning and a calling: avoid being shaped by the world, yet remain present within it, for the sake of the gospel.
We have been sent into the world, just as Jesus Himself was, but how are we to live impactful lives for Him in our communities?
Two ways we can intentionally live ‘in the world’ for Christ:
1. Build gospel‑shaped friendships where God has placed you
This is both geographical and practical. Do you have neighbours or work colleagues who you encounter on a regular basis? How much time do you invest in them? Do you spend your lunch time getting to know those you work with, or instead choose to eat at your desk and limit your interactions? When was the last time you stopped and chatted to a neighbour? Do you make opportunities to speak to other parents at the school gates and at class parties?
Practical steps:
Think through each place God has put you. Are there natural friendships you could develop? You don’t have to be an extrovert, simply showing interest and asking how people are can open doors. Are there people on the fringes of your groups who you could draw in and help feel valued?
Pray specifically for opportunities to open up with those you’re spending time with to develop your friendships, and then continue to pray that you would take opportunities to share the gospel when they arise.
2. Use your hobbies and interests for the gospel
Whether you have a season ticket to the football or rugby, or attend a local walking club or art group, do you make an effort to befriend those you meet? Church‑run interest groups are wonderful, but there are countless opportunities to be had by stepping out and engaging with existing community groups as a way of reaching people.
Practical steps:
Think through your interests and hobbies. Are there local groups you could join to build friendships? You might even pick up a new skill if there’s a group nearby that interests you but you’ve never explored.
Pray for wisdom about what opportunities you may already have, or could explore, to build more bridges in your community
Real stories of everyday gospel opportunities
Glen and Emma use the opportunity of a shared porch outside their home to spend time with their neighbour:
“Emma and I get to speak to her all the time. And occasionally she’ll let us pray with her… Life had gotten too much [for her] and I shared about many times when I’d felt the same…We prayed about that and about help for her situation. I went inside to grab a book and gave it to her. I invited her to church and, though she said that church was ‘too far, too fast’, three days later she agreed – her and her family. The whole conversation took about 20 minutes.” Read more
Kirsten's experiences as a special needs parent led to founding a charity:
“I co-founded a small charity in our local area after getting to know another mum of a deaf child, and we realised a lot of what we were looking for overlapped and didn’t yet exist. She isn’t a Christian, and most of the families we’ve got to know through it aren’t, but the opportunities for beautiful gospel conversations have been surprisingly (to me!) regular. I am prayerful and hopeful!”
Helen focused on her hobbies:
“I joined a local library book group, running club and a Guides unit. I’ve had great gospel chats and inviting opportunities, especially with the running club.”
Naomi became friends with another mum from her daughter’s class:
“I endeavoured to love Chloe so well that she would become curious why. I prayed for opportunities to answer any questions she had and I showed great interest in her life. Yet more often than not we didn’t talk much about Jesus. Seven years after we’d met, now dear friends, we spoke for the last time. She’d been diagnosed with incurable cancer and just days before she died, I said to her, ‘I need to tell you something important’ I shared what I believed about the hope of a resurrected life for all that trust in Jesus. Her response, ‘I believe everything you say’. I wept” Read more
Alex focused on talents:
“I’ve been attending local poetry nights for the last few years, both reading and just as a listener. Reading ‘secular’ and Christian poems together has led to great conversations, and being able to celebrate the art of others there has been great!”
Alison used exercise:
“Since I started parkrun in 2017, my friendship group has more than doubled, the first big increase since university, and the first time having a huge group of non-Christian friends. Although I’ve only had a few evangelistic conversations in the cafe afterwards, it’s good to no longer be living in a Christian bubble. My prayer life has also improved.”
Things to note about being “in the world”:
Sin is still sin – When we spend time with our non-Christian friends or family, even with the intent of witnessing, we are to be salt and light to them. That means we don’t compromise in our words or actions. There are places we should avoid, and activities we choose not to be a part of.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5 v 13-16
How do we go beyond the friendly conversation to gospel conversation?
Great — you’ve made new friends. But how do you make the leap to sharing the gospel? This is the part that might feel daunting, and you may have some conscious or subconscious walls to witnessing that you need to overcome.
The way we speak, behave, react, and show care will all have an impact on those around us. Spending time with people, simply doing life, will naturally bring opportunities to share your faith and worldview. As we’ve seen from our real stories sometimes those opportunities come quickly; sometimes they take time.
But we must:
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” 1 Peter 3:15-16
Pray for wisdom in how to love people well in these settings, and pray for opportunities to share more of your life, and faith, with them
Roger Carswell in Evangelistic Living shares the words of the hymn ‘Lead me to some soul today’ by Will Henry Houghton, as a suggested prayer:
'Lead me to some soul today,
O teach me, Lord, just what to say;
Friends of mine are lost in sin
And cannot find the way.
Few there are who seem to care
And few there are who pray;
Melt my heart and fill my life
Give me one soul today.'
“If we are praying like this, the Lord may surprise us by giving us the privilege of leading someone to Christ.” Evangelistic Living, p75
Want more practical ideas for everyday evangelism? Explore our resources on building gospel‑shaped friendships and sharing Jesus naturally or check out the blog posts below.
Your next read:
Gospel Hospitality – 5-minute read
Sharing the Gospel One Conversation at a time – 4-minute read
Stories Matter: Writing a Testimony that points to Jesus – 5-minute read
How can we share the gospel with our family? – 9-minute read
FAQs for Living the gospel in your community
How can Christians reach out to their local community?
Christians can reach out by building genuine friendships in the places they already spend time, such as neighbourhoods, workplaces, school gates and hobby groups. Small, consistent acts of care often open natural doors for gospel conversations.
What are simple ways to share your faith with neighbours?
Start with presence: stop to chat, show interest, offer help, and pray for opportunities. Sharing your story, inviting someone to church, or offering to pray for them can flow naturally from real relationships.
How do I build friendships with non‑Christians without compromising my faith?
Be warm, authentic, and intentional while staying rooted in biblical wisdom. Choose settings that are wise for you, keep your integrity, and let your words and actions reflect Christ.
What does it mean to live “in the world but not of it”?
It means staying present in everyday life among neighbours, colleagues, and community groups, while refusing to be shaped by the world’s values. Jesus sends His people into the world to shine His light.
How can I use my hobbies and interests for Christian outreach?
Join local groups that match your interests; running clubs, book groups, art classes, sports teams. These are natural spaces to form friendships and share your faith through everyday conversations.
How do I start gospel conversations without being awkward?
Look for moments when people share struggles, hopes, or big questions. Ask gentle questions, share your own experiences and testimony, and speak with kindness and respect. Often, gospel conversations grow from simply doing life together.