By Kristin Schultz
Throughout his ministry, Jesus made disciples. He called them from the shores of the Sea of Galilea. He called them from the tax collector’s booth. He called them from the highways and the hedges. “Follow me.” The call of discipleship. After Jesus’ ascension, his disciples engaged in evangelism, calling others to trust in the Lord and follow him.
And now, as followers of Jesus today, we, too are called to make disciples. But what’s the best way to do evangelism? How do we reach people with the message of God’s love for them in Jesus? There are countless ways to witness to Jesus in our daily lives. Here are just a few you can try.
Intentional Outreach
Churches can plan, organize, and participate in outreach or evangelism activities that have the express purpose of talking to others about Jesus. These outreach activities are often associated with community events like county fairs, farmer’s markets, or trunk-or-treats.
At these events, it’s important to make sure that everyone from your church knows how to engage the public and what to say—about their faith and about your church. In addition to talking with people who come up to your booth or where you are sitting, consider offering takeaway gifts that people can look at on their own when then get home. A simple explanation of the Christian faith using the Gospel colors is an easy way to talk about faith and send people away with a reminder of how much God loves them.
Evangelism in Daily Life
Sometimes the most powerful evangelism we can do is by living our faith in our daily lives. People will notice when we live the Gospel, when they see Jesus-empowered forgiveness, true grace, and sacrificial love in action.
Someone may ask us why we live the way we do or why we don’t retaliate, gossip, or use foul language. In those cases, we can share our faith and explain that because we have a relationship with God—our Creator—because of Jesus, we respond by trying to be obedient to how God would have us live. Other times a silent witness is powerful. Wearing a cross necklace or a bracelet with a Christian message or Bible verse is a great way to participate in evangelism in daily life.
Evangelism and Meeting the Needs of Others
More often than not, Jesus’ ministry was about meeting people’s earthly needs. Of course Jesus’ ultimate mission and ministry was to reconcile creation to God through his life, death, and resurrection. But during his three-year ministry, Jesus took care of people’s physical needs. He healed the sick. He fed the hungry. He restored the broken.
When we consider our evangelism and outreach ministry, we, too, should look to meet the needs of others. We can organize a group of church members to volunteer at a soup kitchen or food pantry. We can work with local hospitals or nursing homes and arrange to visit the sick or homebound. We can make blankets or quilts for shelters. We can build wheelchair ramps for those who can’t afford to hire out the work.
Along with doing the work, consider giving a small gift of encouragement to those you are serving. Something like a pocket coin and prayer card provides comfort and strength long after everyone has gone home.
The Takeaway
Because we know the powerful love of God in Jesus, we respond with lives of evangelism and outreach. Sometimes our outreach is one-to-one while other times we reach out as one of a group of fellow Christians or as a church.
No matter how we tell others about Jesus, it is our joy and privilege to share the life-changing message of the Gospel with those who haven’t heard it or who have fallen away from it. Pray that the Lord would show you and your church how you can most effectively share the Gospel with those around you.
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