This is for those people who live the ministry, you are ministers that are not on the payroll at Church. For those who desire to be more evangelical with their faith. Just a few tips from my own experience of things that have worked for me. I've been a Christian for 12 years and since day one I've been trying to get people to believe in Jesus. -Kevin Henderson
I know some people are embarrassed talking about their faith and it feels so awkward to bring it up. It is easier to speak on the things of God if you freely acknowledge Him with your mouth often. Not preaching, just being free and unashamed to acknowledge the Lord in the big and small things throughout the day vocally. It's the little things like "thank God," "God is good," and "God really helped me with that."
If Christ is truly your friend and you are walking with Him, people will know soon enough. "From the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks"-Christ. I'm talking about really walking with God - on the bus, in a restaurant, walking down the street, or even at work which most of the advice in this article will apply to. You don't have to yell "I'm walking with God!" but just be conscious of your anointing from the Holy One. You are a light set on a hill, you are the salt of the earth, and you carry the fragrance and presence of God. That is very important in evangelism and ministry, not in a Pharisaical way, but with a genuine love and acknowledgment of the grace and Holy Spirit of God giving you light, joy and peace (i.e., walk in the Spirit).
There is a HUGE difference between being obnoxious, prideful and judgmental and just being free and open about your faith and walk with God. My co-workers know I'm a Christian and they started to call me "Rev". I asked these guys if they feel judged by me or if I seem like I somehow act like I am better then them. I asked them that because I would hate, hate, hate for anybody to think that about me, let alone any other Christian. The way I have let them know from day one is, I don't brag or boast about being a Christian.
Yes, I am unashamed of the Gospel, but that does not mean I am unashamed of my sin and things I have done. I will never point out their sins. I will say, "We are all sinners, and all of us sin." I never tell them they need to stop sinning - these people aren't Christians. Do you think telling a guy to stop sinning is going to save him and make him right with God? No. Instead you're going to look arrogant and prideful. It's like telling a rock to be water - it doesn't make sense.
Those who aren't Christians aren't supposed to be shown how to live the Christian life. No, the message of Christ to the world is not to start living like Christians. It's that Christ was crucified for your sins, He was buried and rose, so now repent of your sins and trust in Him. UNTIL they have done that you shouldn't try to tell them they need to adopt Christian morality - it's arrogant and prideful. If they repent and believe in Christ, THEN they are to be rebuked, exhorted and encouraged to live the Christian morality.
Another misguided case is trying to get someone to believe the Bible is true and is the divine Word of God (although it is). That in itself is not the message of salvation. The book is not what saves a man, however, a saved man does believe in a supernatural way the fullness of the Bible. You will never find a verse that says "believe this book and you will be saved." I'm sorry, but you won't. That may be offensive to some of my Christian brethren, but its actually a Biblical view. I try to be more Biblical than traditional. The Bible is the authority for the Church and Christians, but even the Devil and the demons believe the Bible. Remember we serve the God who inspired the Bible, we love the Bible in all its glory and seek to abide by it, but the Bible will never replace God.
One way to break the ice without making someone defensive, is to simply ask "have you ever heard of the Gospel?" If you approach this in a kind, gentle manner most people are open and will be interested. That has been the main way I have started the conversation with my coworkers. All of my coworkers now know exactly what the Biblical Gospel is (1 Corinthians 15;1-12). The saddest part was that even those who attend Church did not know what the Gospel was. When asking this question normally they said "No, what is it?" or "I think so but I'm not sure." I asked every single one of them, 24 total, within a 3 month period. Boom. Right there I had an open door, with trusting in the Holy Spirit I basically said....
"Christ was crucified for your sins. He was buried and 3 days later He rose from the grave. If you recognize your sins just repent of them and believe Christ died for your sins and rose again and you will be forgiven".
Now there you go. You proclaimed the Gospel. You have removed some confusion about Christianity and have shown the simplicity of Christ. And have opened doors for more conversations and deeper waters in their spiritual life.
One of my favorite ice breaker questions that gets people to open up and even better think about God and spiritual matters. I ask:
"How did you come to believe about God or denial of God? What was your journey like? What led you there?"
These are pointed questions, but in all honesty you want to know if they are ready to listen. Just understand this goes a long way, I can testify to this. I have asked this to many, many people and have had great fruitful conversations around proclaiming the Gospel.
The problem many Christians run into is this: as soon as the person says something strange or even offensive, Christians are ready to shoot them down with their own knowledge. We don't listen to their points. We listen for all the things that are wrong in their beliefs and are ready to shut them down immediately. Most Christians who are willing to do this are very smart and usually have solid arguments. However, in this type of ministry, we aren't debating or arguing we are simply having a conversation to get to know the other person. People like to talk about themselves. People like it when a person is interested in listening to them speak.
So listen to them, understand them, and be kind. Most people don't like to argue, but they will if before you start by pointing out how wrong and illogical their beliefs. Unfortunately a lot of Christians do this. They want to prove a point, but really what does that do? Is there any love and sincerity in proving a point? Or is it out of pride?
Now indeed you do have to confront their beliefs, and the cross can be offensive, but in order to be effective in this you have to have built trust. Sometimes just explaining why you believe what you believe confronts them without you having to interrupt them and shut them down. 99% of the time if you make someone defensive before you gain their respect as a listener, the whole thing becomes moot. When it turns into an argument, walls begin to build quickly. There's no edification and growth among people quarreling with each other. You must respect them before they respect you. If you expect them to listen and take you seriously, you need to listen to them and take them seriously. You reap what you sow.
***Proverbs 17:14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.****
This is the most important part - if your purpose in life (no matter what your day job is) is to be a minister and an ambassador of Christ, and your heart's call is for people to be reconciled to God, then each morning, before you start your day, pray for a opportunity to preach the Gospel. Ask that the Lord will open a door for the Gospel. Stir up the gift that is within you. Pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Read psalms. Immerse yourself in the Scripture acknowledging the providence of God, as well as the presence and guiding of the Holy Spirit while you read and pray. Now when you open your mouth to minister it is important that you open your mind and heart to the presence and power of God while you are speaking. Some call this "practicing the presence of God." Believe and notice the Lord and His power and not your own eloquence or even the prayer and preparation you have done. Put your full trust in the Lord and the power of His Word and the Gospel. Put no confidence in yourself, but completely trust the Lord and in turn minister to others. May the grace and peace of the Lord bless your sincere efforts and use you to bring many to faith
In Christ
Kevin
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