How to share Christ with others

See some tips below on how to tell other people about Jesus.

Evangelism is more than talk

Evangelism is not just about talking to others. But in both speech and conduct we show others what God is like. Do you have unbelieving friends or relatives? One of the best ways to evangelize to them is to show how Christ has changed you on the inside.

“In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.” (1 Peter 3:1-2)

This verse indicates that the people closest to us can be won over without words as they observe Christ in us. We need to love them, so that by our good attitude and good deeds they can see Jesus in us. Then seeing this, they will ask questions about God. This gives you an opportunity to tell them about the love of Christ.

In a similar way, Jesus said that our love for one another and unity in the Spirit show outsiders how God is in us (John 17:20-21). Therefore, by our conduct, we can show the world and those closest to us that Jesus is Lord.

Pray and be prepared

Needless to say, we ought to pray for God’s help when we speak to others about Christ. Even the apostle Paul needed prayer.

He writes: “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6:18-20).

So we should ask God to help us speak His words clearly and boldly to other people.

We should also be prepared to give an answer to anyone who asks us why we believe. As it is written, “sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (1 Peter 3:15).

For anyone who asks, be ready to tell them what God has done for you personally in your life, how He has changed you, how He makes you happy, and how He gives you purpose and hope.

Besides personal testimony, also familiarize yourself with how to answer difficult questions people may ask you about God.

You can take a look at some of the resources on this website for help with:

Do not be forceful

We should always tell others about Christ in a gentle and respectful manner. As mentioned earlier, you should be ready to “give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (1 Peter 3:15). Do not be forceful. Remember that we cannot persuade anyone; only God can work in people’s hearts. So we always want to be gentle and not pick a fight with anyone.

Remember, the goal is not to show people they are wrong and you are right. The goal is to show people Christ. And Christ is “gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29).

When people reject the gospel or do not want to listen, do not force them. Again, no one will believe if they don’t want to believe. So if they don’t want to talk about it anymore, we should stop talking. Keep the peace. Perhaps, they will see your respectful behavior and be curious later. If they ask you to speak to them again later, then you have gained another opportunity to speak.

Pray for opportunity

Consider when is a good time to share the gospel. If you want to share with co-workers, do not share during working hours, but pick a time during a meal together or after work. The reason is we should use the time at work for work and not take the employer’s time for evangelism.

Let us not give Christianity a bad name. There are already many stereotypes of Christians. So let us not reinforce those stereotypes, but let us be gentle, respectful, and reasonable.

Pray for an opportunity to speak. The best opportunity is when someone asks you or invites you to talk about Jesus. That is when they are ready to listen the most. So pray that you be given these opportunities just as Paul urged the Colossian church to pray: “praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.” (Colossians 4:2-4).

Tip: go out two by two

For evangelizing to people you do not know, ask around to see if there are events in your church for going to nearby neighborhoods to evangelize. You can join an event like that to practice talking to others about God. If your church does not hold an event like that, go with another Christian by yourselves. You can give people Christian tracts and talk to them about Jesus.

Jesus sent out His disciples in pairs to preach the gospel (Luke 10:1). So it is helpful to go with another Christian friend when you go out to evangelize to strangers.

Tip on what to say

As for what to tell people, you can teach them something like the following.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him…

The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:16-17, 35-36)

The God of the Bible is unlike any other. He is very personal. He is loving and kind. And He wants to have a personal relationship with you, and to teach you to be faithful to Him and do good works.

But everyone has sinned and done bad things. We are separated from God due to our bad deeds. God’s justice demands that we be punished for our sins. However, God in His mercy sent His perfect Son Jesus to die for our sins in our place, so that we do not need to undergo the punishment of sin, which lasts forever (Psalm 81:15, Revelation 20:11-15). If anyone believes in what Jesus has done and repents of his sins, that person will have eternal life.

It is not something you do that deserves eternal life, but it is the gift of God through Jesus His Son.

Here’s how to accept Jesus as your Savior and receive eternal life:

Admit you have sinned – that you have done bad things and broke the laws of God.
Believe that Jesus is Lord. And believe He died for you to pay for your sins on your behalf (Matthew 27:11-66), and He has risen from death and is alive today (Matthew 28).
Decide to follow God from now on and refrain from the things you used to do that are wrong.

Encourage them to seek truth

For those who hear the gospel but are not ready yet to accept Jesus, encourage them to seek truth. The Bible says, “God made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:26-27).

If people seek God sincerely and truthfully with an open heart, they will find God.

“‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 29:13).

Other Resources

You can show people a film about Jesus in their language: Jesus Film.

A short 9-minute animated video about Jesus’ crucifixion is available here: My Last Day.

Read the Bible online here: Bible online.

To familiarize yourself with what Jesus did for us and learn how to explain it, see What is the way to eternal life?.