Many Christians think the way to show our light is by simply being good and loving others. While this is a start, consider how many other religious people do the same thing. How does Christianity stand out from other world religions? It is simple. Jesus.

The following are some practical application ideas to get you started:

1. Ask a non-believer how you can pray for them specifically.
2. Follow up with that non-believer on their prayer request often and tell them you have been praying for them.
3. When you are wrong in a situation, humbly apologize and ask them for forgiveness, but be clear that you are humbled by your own sin and how God has forgiven you. Colossians 3:13
4. When someone has wronged you, pray blessings for them. Tell them you forgive them even if they have not asked for it, and even if you are still working through forgiving them. Let them know about how God has forgiven you. Matthew 5:44-45
5. When someone tells you something hard they are dealing with, pray for them right at that moment. It could be online, in a text, or in public. Pray right away, with that person.
6. Be a peace-maker rather than peace-keeper. Focus on resolving conflict in a loving and humble manner rather than a “I am right” manner. Find any area that you are culpable in and own up to your part in it. Share a supporting scripture verse or passage such as Romans 12:18.
7. Seek ways to show humility. In today’s society, we all try our best to show a perfect life. Rather than show how perfect your life is, look for ways to show when you messed up and how God was the solution. Share your imperfections and allow God’s glory to shine brightly through.

Have you ever had a conversation with someone that was one sided? The person is so eager to get their point across that they simply make it impossible for you to respond. When you put a boulder in someone’s shoe, it stops them completely so there is no contemplation other than to remove it and disregard it. When you put a pebble in their shoe, they will most likely continue on, and work through their thoughts about that pebble.

How can you be that pebble? What is a positive witness? How does this look in today’s world? How can we share the good news of Jesus so well that people will actually respond positively?

It took me a while to understand this, as I was often “throwing pearls before swine” on social media as well as trying to talk to those I love about Jesus only to have my words land flat and ineffective.

Being bold with strangers can be easy. Being bold with loved ones may break that relationship. People respond to those they know, like, and trust. When you share the gospel with a friend or family, are you someone that they like and trust?

Here is a good way to navigate who to continue with and who to stop: are they interested at all?

When sheep are grazing in the field, there are often multiple herds grazing together. Even when they are all mixed up with other herds, any particular herd knows when it is time to go based solely on the voice of their shepherd. It is the same with people and Jesus. Those that are His will hear the call when it is time. They will hear His voice and follow Him. All you need to do is share with anyone and you will know. They will be interested or they will not.

This helps me know when to keep going and when to stop. Forcing Jesus down people’s throats never goes over well and only gives Christianity a black eye. Place pebbles in people’s shoes and love them well.

Have you ever been clubbed by someone regarding their opinion? They come out of no where and club you over the head (aka aggressively share their thoughts) regarding some controversial subject like vaccines, wearing masks, abortions, global warming, and any other topic that polarizes society. Has anyone who has argued with you over an issue ever won you to the other side? Probably not.

When you club someone over the head with Jesus, they tend to not respond well. How can you master the art of persuasion?

From a secular standpoint, Harvard Business Review posted an article by Jay A. Conger titled The Necessary Art of Persuasion, where Jay states:

Effective persuasion involves four distinct and essential steps. First, effective persuaders establish credibility. Second, they frame their goals in a way that identifies common ground with those they intend to persuade. Third, they reinforce their positions using vivid language and compelling evidence. And fourth, they connect emotionally with their audience. As one of the most effective executives in our research commented, “The most valuable lesson I’ve learned about persuasion over the years is that there’s just as much strategy in how you present your position as in the position itself. In fact, I’d say the strategy of presentation is the more critical.”

How do we translate this to a Biblical world view?

1. Establish Credibility
   Do you know the gospel message?
   Are you well versed in understanding the Bible?
   Does the person you are talking to see your life in light of Christian values?
   Does the person know, like, and trust you before you try to persuade them?
2. Common Ground
   Have you asked them what they believe?
   Can you identify with their concerns and objectives?
   Did you, at one point, feel the same way?
3. Use Stories
   People connect with stories rather than data and facts.
   Share your testimony.
   Share other’s testimonies.
   Relate the gospel message with storytelling in mind.
4. Connect Emotionally
   Your ability to match the emotional state of the person you are talking to is crucial.
   How empathetic are you? (Can you share the feelings of the other person?)
   What are their fears that you can connect with?
   People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.
   

No one is naturally great at sharing the gospel perfectly. Some may be great at debating, others amazing at simply talking to people, while most of us flounder our way through the gospel once or twice only to give up and use the excuse that you will leave gospel-sharing to those who are gifted in that area, like pastors. Gospel-sharing is not a gift. Gospel-sharing is quite literally non-negotiable if you are a Christian. It is THE one thing Jesus commissioned us with. We are to go and make disciples.

We must practice if we are to get better. No one learned how to play the piano in a day. It takes time, repetition, and commitment. You must DECIDE you are going to practice. You must KNOW the gospel message inside and out. You must PRACTICE sharing the gospel. You must COMMIT to this practice without fear. Remember, this will take time and effort. John Maxwell said it best: “Everything worthwhile in life is all uphill.” This, my friend, is the MOST worthwhile endeavor you can embark upon!

We will be working through “Biblical Foundations” in the month of February. This is a Bible study for groups or one-on-one discipleship. If you would like to follow along, you may join our women’s only Roots & Fruits group on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/rootsfruits

Download the study here: https://indd.adobe.com/view/38fa9813-7702-4b44-b0d7-c0e283371c62