We all know people who seem to have a natural gift for evangelism. They appear to weave Jesus and the gospel into every conversation, and they make it look effortless. You can often find them inviting their waiter to come to church with them, asking to pray for their cashier, or starting a Bible study with their new neighbors. For them, sharing the good news of salvation that Jesus Christ offers through faith in Him feels easy and natural.
But most of us don’t feel that way—and that’s okay. If your attempts at starting gospel conversations feel more awkward than effortless, you’re not alone. But there’s hope! God has called us to share our faith, and we can trust that He will give us all we need. Knowing how to begin can help make sharing your faith achievable—and even enjoyable.
Here are three tips—three do’s and don’ts—to keep in mind when starting a gospel conversation.
Ask good questions. Don’t give a lecture.
Think back on some great conversations you’ve had. What made them so special? Was it that the other person monologued on and on about their own life, interests, and opinions? Or did those conversations impact you because the other person asked good questions and seemed genuinely interested in your thoughts?
Asking open-ended questions is a great way to guide the conversation toward the topic of faith. Because God is involved in everything, it’s not hard to draw the connection from life circumstances to Him!
Is your friend struggling with choices about their career? Ask what they think their purpose is and about the role work plays in our lives.
Is a family member struggling with relational conflict? Ask them how they would define forgiveness or why they think relationships between people are often so challenging.
Is a coworker sharing about bad news they recently received? Ask them for their thoughts on why life can be so hard even for those who try to do the right things.
Be curious. Learn to ask questions and listen well. Not only will you learn more about the person you’re speaking with, but they’ll likely ask you questions—giving you an opportunity to share your faith.
Speak the truth in love. Don’t argue with pride.
An often-quoted verse when it comes to the topic of evangelism is 1 Peter 3:15, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” But we often leave off the second half of the verse, where Peter calls us to “do this with gentleness and respect.”
He goes on to say that the way we live, speak, and share the gospel should be with such kindness and grace that anyone who speaks poorly of us would feel ashamed. If we should suffer for doing good—such as proclaiming our faith—we follow in Jesus’s footsteps, reflecting the suffering He willingly endured on the cross for our sake (John 15:18-19).
We can look to Jesus’s example when we share the good news with others. Approaching a gospel conversation with gentleness and respect, willing to suffer for doing genuine good, reflects the posture of our Savior. Most of all, it encourages us to trust in God’s power to save.
Trust God with each person’s response. Don’t expect acceptance on the spot.
Each person’s journey of faith is unique. Some of us grow up with constant exposure to His Word and trust Jesus as early as we can grasp what that means. Others may experience a pivotal moment in life that makes the gospel suddenly real to them. However or whenever someone comes to know Jesus, God is at work in their story—and Jesus promises that He will not lose anyone the Father has given Him (John 6:39).
While it is good and right to make it clear to the person across the table that the gospel requires a response, we shouldn’t expect every person to be ready to accept Jesus on the spot. Humans rush through life, full of worry and concern. God is not like us; His plans are not rushed: “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). God’s timing often does not follow the schedule we’ve made up in our minds, and that’s a good thing.
Sharing the gospel is an important calling for all followers of Jesus. While it may not always come easily to us, we can trust that God is working in and through every prayer, question, and conversation. Sometimes the hardest part is just getting started!
Pray for opportunities to start gospel conversations with the people in your life. Will you trust God to multiply your efforts and accomplish what only He can?
Do you want to grow in confidence in sharing your faith? It starts with God’s Word! Consider joining a Bible Study Fellowship class near you, and discover how studying God’s Word equips you to share the gospel with others.