Sharing our faith is something that many of us feel we should do but sometimes don’t know where to start. Here are some helpful tips I gathered from a topical Bible guide.
Ask meaningful questions
Asking specific questions helps steer the course of the conversation. Jesus often started His teaching by asking a rhetorical question.
He said to them, “Which of you…?”—Luke 11:5
Listen to the answers
Listening enables people to open up and share about their lives and the current issues they are facing.
Let every man be swift to hear.—James 1:19
Find points of agreement
The apostle Paul used this approach during his famous Mars Hill speech, where he quoted Greek poets that his audience was familiar with.
As also some of your own poets have said, “For we are also His offspring.”—Acts 17:28
Be adaptable
Finding out about the people we interact with will help us better understand and relate the Gospel to them.
I have become all things to all men that I might by all means save some.—1 Corinthians 9:22
Tell a story to illustrate your point
Jesus was an expert at using parables and stories to capture His audience’s interest and teach a lesson. There are times in a conversation where “This reminds me of a story I once heard…” can lead to a deeper discussion and witness.
He taught them many things by parables.—Mark 4:2
Use current events and happenings
Throughout the New Testament, Jesus referred to local happenings when answering people’s questions, which enabled Him to bring out God’s perspective on the situations.1
Share your personal testimony
Sharing how you found Jesus or how God worked in your life makes the Christian faith a practical, living, real-world experience. The apostle Paul frequently shared his conversion story as part of his witness.2
Show the fruits of the Holy Spirit
Not everyone will understand or accept what you believe. But if the listener can see the fruits of God’s Spirit alive in your life and your interactions with others, they will more likely in time be willing to consider what you have to say.
Though I speak with the tongues of men … but have not love, I have become … a clanging cymbal.—1 Corinthians 13:1
Bring them to a decision
Everyone should be given a chance to know Jesus as their personal Friend and Savior. Sometimes a person receives Jesus on the first meeting, other times it can take years before the person is ready. While the decision is theirs to make, we can do our part to offer them the only Way, the Truth, and the Life.