Sharing Christ 101

I have been serving on a church staff for over 31 years, 24 of those years as a pastor. One thing that I have observed through watching Christians in their walk with the Lord is that many Christians feel inadequate to share Jesus with their friends and family. They feel like they don’t know enough. Or, they may be asked a question they don’t know the answer to. Or, they may mess it up really badly.

If that describes you, please let me share with you the basics of sharing the good news of Jesus with someone else. In Acts 8, we read about how Philip shares about Jesus with the Ethiopian official. And, what God uses Philip to do, God can use you to do, too.

First, go where God says go. Philip had an angel show up and told him to go south of Jerusalem (v. 26). God’s instructions were specific because God had a plan. Then, the Holy Spirit pointed Philip to a specific chariot (v. 29). When the Holy Spirit nudges your heart, it’s time to go, to speak, and to obey.

Second, trust that God is already at work. As Philip approached the chariot, he heard the man reading from Isaiah 53. God had already pointed the man to a perfect passage for Philip to be able to share Jesus. God was at work.

The Lord is also at work in your friend, your family member, your neighbor. As God is working in each of them, He will lead you to the conversation about Jesus at just the right time. You are simply joining the Lord in the work He is already doing.

Third, start with where the person is. For Philip, the Ethiopian official was in Isaiah 53 and asking what it meant. For your friend, he may have been laid off from work, or she may be going through a time of depression. Wherever your friend is in life, start right there.

Do they need to know that God loves them? Do they need to know that God will provide for them? Do they need to know that God will walk with them through tough days? Whatever they are experiencing in life, God has a promise for them. Start there.

Next, introduce them to Jesus. Philip started with that verse and told the man about Jesus (v. 35). That’s what we need to do, too. Lead your friend to Jesus. Talk about the death and resurrection of Jesus and how that has changed your life. Help your friend experience the same.

Finally, help your friend take the next step. As your friend responds and says “yes” in faith to Christ, encourage him or her get plugged in to a church that can help with the next steps. Coming to Christ is the starting line, not the finish line.

Like Philip, if you are a follower of Jesus, you can share Christ, too.

(Responses/questions? jeff.perkins@mbclife.org)