Unleashing the Power of Sharing Jesus: How to Make a Difference Without Being Strange
Have you ever felt lost for words when it comes to sharing your faith? You're not alone. Many of us struggle with how to introduce others to Jesus without coming across as weird or pushy. But what if there was a way to naturally and authentically share the greatest news of all time?
The truth is, there's no practice that changes your faith more than sharing it. When we share our faith, we're doing exactly what we were made to do – bearing witness to Christ. It's not just a duty; it's a privilege that can transform both us and those around us.
But let's address the elephant in the room: Aren't people hostile to Christianity these days? While there's undoubtedly some opposition, there's also a great openness. As Jesus himself said, "The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few" (Luke 10:2). People are hungry for God. We don't have a harvest problem; we have a labourer problem.
To understand how to share our faith effectively, let's look at a powerful example from the Gospel of Luke. In Luke 13:10-17, we encounter a woman who had been crippled by a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and couldn't straighten herself. Despite her condition, she still came to the synagogue where Jesus was teaching.
This woman's physical condition mirrors our spiritual state without Christ. We're all bent over by sin, unable to straighten ourselves. But just as Jesus saw this woman, called her over, and freed her from her disability, He sees us, calls us to Himself, and offers us freedom from sin.
The story doesn't end there. After Jesus healed the woman, the ruler of the synagogue became indignant because the healing occurred on the Sabbath. This opposition reveals a deeper truth: the gospel of Jesus is so powerful that it threatens the spiritual forces that want to keep people in bondage.
So how do we navigate this tension and share our faith effectively? Here are some practical tips:
Pray for opportunities: Ask God to open your eyes to the doors He's already placing around you. Just as Jesus noticed the woman in the synagogue, we need to be attentive to the people God puts in our path.
Use simple conversation starters: Try phrases like, "That's what I love about Jesus..." This approach allows you to naturally bring Jesus into conversations without feeling forced.
Focus on Jesus: When difficult questions arise about suffering, judgment, or church hypocrisy, always bring the conversation back to Jesus. For example, when discussing suffering, you might say, "I don't have all the answers, but I know that Jesus suffered on the cross. That tells me God and suffering aren't opposites."
Be prepared to share what you love about Jesus: What aspects of His character or teachings particularly resonate with you? Having these thoughts ready can make conversations flow more naturally.
Invite others to explore: Consider going through one of the Gospels with a friend or family member who's curious about faith. There are great resources available, like the free app "The Word One to One," designed for studying the Bible with someone who isn't yet a Christian.
Remember, evangelism isn't just about what we say; it's about allowing our hearts to be continually transformed by the gospel. As we meditate on God's mercy, grace, love, and kindness, our hearts will overflow with gratitude, making sharing our faith a natural expression of what's inside us.
The kingdom of God is like a tiny seed that grows into a massive tree, or like a small amount of leaven that affects an entire batch of dough. Every time we break the chains that bind people – whether through a kind word, a prayer, or sharing our testimony – we're participating in God's victory that will continue to have repercussions.
As we step out in faith to share the good news, we'll find that we're not just evangelising others; we're being evangelised ourselves. Our own faith grows stronger, our understanding deepens, and our love for Jesus increases.
So, let's reclaim our voice as the church. Let's be bold in sharing the hope we have, not out of obligation, but out of a heart overflowing with love for Christ. Whether it's through simple conversations, acts of kindness, or invitations to explore faith together, we each have a unique role to play in God's grand story of redemption.
Remember, it's not about having all the answers or being perfect. It's about pointing people to Jesus – the one who sees us, calls us, and sets us free. As we do this, we might just find that sharing our faith isn't strange at all. It's the most natural thing in the world.
