Christian Living

1 min

10 Compelling Ways You Can Be Ready to Share Jesus With Unbelievers

silhouetted people in front of cross with mist

Are you saddened by missing opportunities to share Jesus? Do you want to lead people to Christ but are unsure how to begin? Are you hesitant to speak up because you don't know what to say? Would you like a few tips to help you initiate and facilitate productive conversations?

You’re not alone. Most Christians report having trouble witnessing to unbelievers, with three of the biggest reasons being fear, lacking opportunity, and feeling ill-equipped. In this article you will learn ten ways to be a more effective messenger of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Being part of the biggest life changing decision a person can make is amazing! I would love to hear how you have helped lead someone to Christ...tell me your story in the comment section!

1. Be Ready to Make Yourself Available

People want to be seen, heard, and valued. Deep relational connections are lacking now more than ever, thanks to one of greatest oxymorons of all time: social media. By being open to letting go of the next item on your task-oriented agenda, you will be in a position to notice and respond empathetically to the people around you.

2. Be Ready to Initiate Conversation

Observation and a little preparation go a long way on this one! Noticing what people are saying and doing gives you an opportunity to see similarities you share and gives you a way to meaningfully relate to them. This makes starting conversations more natural and surprisingly easy. Spend a little time selecting a few icebreaker questions that resonate with you so you will always be ready to interact with anyone. Check out this Reader's Digest article for ideas on breaking the ice: 125 Conversation Starters That Make You Instantly Interesting.

3. Be Ready to Listen and Understand

Actively listening and taking time to understand people you talk with shows that you care, and, subsequently, tears down barriers. People will feel valued and will want to talk more. When someone knows you care, you can reach their heart and will have an open door to share what it means to know Jesus.

4. Be Ready to Tell Your Story

Taking time to write down how you came to faith in Jesus Christ will remind you of key points in your personal experience. This will help you share your story more meaningfully. Additionally, reflecting on the various pieces that contributed to your decision to become a Christian will give you an opportunity to recognize parts of your history that someone else can relate to. Be aware that many times, a particular conversation lends itself better to a specific part of your story rather than your whole story.

5. Be Ready to Explain the Gospel Message

Understanding the central message of the gospel is vital. There are many Scriptures explaining it. Read them and choose which resonate the most with you. This will make it easier to remember and share them. Here are the core pieces of the gospel message with a few Bible references:

God is Holy and loving - Is. 6:1-5, Rev. 4:8, 1 Sam. 2:2; Ps. 86:15, 1 Jn. 4:16, Ps. 36:5-7
We are created in God's image but we fell to sin - Gen. 1:26-27, Col. 3:10; Rom. 3:23, Rom. 6:23
So, God sent us His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins in order that we can be born again and reconciled to God - Rom. 5:8, Jn. 3:16; 1 Pet. 1:3, Rom. 5:11
Through Jesus, you can receive this free gift of forgiveness from sin, reconciliation with God, and eternal life if you confess you have sinned and believe Jesus died and rose again for you - 1 Jn. 1:9; Rom. 10:9

Writing the key elements, steps, and Scriptures in your Bible or on a sheet of paper that can be kept handy in your wallet or purse will allow you to easily review it so it takes root in your heart and mind. It will also be available for you to pull out and share with an unbeliever if you feel flustered or are having trouble remembering the essential points.

6. Be Ready to Share Why You Believe

Everyone’s journey is different. Understanding that there is much variation in what resonates with each person will aid you in being a better listener and guide you in what to focus on. Becoming a Christian is ultimately a decision of faith, but most people have had tangible things that helped them take that leap of faith. Identifying the main components that contributed to you choosing to receive salvation through Jesus will remind you of the struggle involved in believing. This makes you more relatable and expresses a great deal of respect to the unbeliever.

7. Be Ready to Say, “I don’t know but I can try to find out”

Nobody has all the answers so saying you don’t know when someone asks a question that stumps you is not only honest but it makes you more approachable. When you offer to try finding an answer, it creates a natural reason to have a second conversation. Even if the person declines your offer to talk again, it still gives you a meaningful opportunity to grow spiritually as you look for an answer through Bible exploration.

8. Be Ready to Offer Prayer

According to a 2023 Gallup poll, about 85% of Americans pray which is remarkable when you consider that the combined number of people that regularly attend religious services across all religions makes up only 55% of Americans. This awareness can help you understand that most people would love for someone to pray for them. To determine if it would be more impactful to pray on the spot with the person or to pray later when you’re conversation has ended, sense the environment and the Holy Spirit’s leading.

9. Be Ready to Close the Conversation in Love

Every conversation comes to an end, so be prepared to end it well. If it seems appropriate, you could mention that you’ll continue praying for them. If there were questions, challenges, or interesting thoughts that you’d like to pursue further, let them know you’d love to hear more of their thoughts. If the conversation didn’t go well, comment on something you appreciated about talking with them, and tell them you hope they have a good day.

10. Be Ready to Learn from Your Mistakes and Celebrate the Good Things that Happened

There’s always more to learn and there’s always something to celebrate. Reflecting on what went well and what could have been better gives you an opportunity to hone your skills in sharing the gospel. Ask God to teach you how to handle sticky situations. Finally, always remember to give God all the glory for the victories that occurred.

Takeaway

Everyone needs to know that they are loved; and whether or not they understand right now, love begins with God. As a Christian, you have the privilege of demonstrating God's love to unbelievers and conveying how their sins can be forgiven, bringing reconcilitiation to God through Jesus' death and resurrection. By noticing the people around you, making yourself availble to listen, sharing your faith journey, and praying, you will have many opportunities to effectively communicate the gospel message and lead people to Christ.