Evangelism? Maybe…

When you talk to the average person about evangelism, you can get some blank stares and wide eyes. To be honest, the thought of evangelism can be a very daunting idea. It doesn’t have to be though. 

If I’m being totally honest, I would have to admit that I was one of the wide-eyed responders in the early conversations I had about evangelism. This changed, however, when I came across a passage of scripture that gave me a simple example of how it could be done. 

In John Chapter 9, Jesus heals a man who has been born blind. Those who have known him were amazed. When the religious leaders of the time find out, they are eager to interrogate Jesus for having healed the man on the Sabbath. 

Later in the story, the man who had been healed is standing before the leaders for a second round of questioning. They ask him to agree with them that Jesus is a sinner. The man’s reply is simply, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I do not know. One thing I do know. I was blind and now I see.” This was the man’s story and no one could take it away from him. I was so inspired by this passage.

When God Answered Me

One night in July of 2002, after many years of running away from the Lord, I was awakened in the middle of the night from a bad dream and was filled with a paralyzing fear. After other attempts to “shake it off”, I decided to pray. During my prayer, just as I said “in the name of Jesus”, the fear that had gripped me was instantly released as I was filled with a peace I had never experienced before. As I laid back down in my bed, it was clear to me that God had heard my prayer and answered it and that I must now respond to what happened. In just a few weeks I surrendered fully to God and to His call to ministry in my life. 

Although I had parents who were Godly examples and had been raised going to church regularly, I laid aside any confidence that I knew what I was saying yes to. 

At the time, I didn’t have a lot of Bible verses memorized. I had not studied the Bible. I had not spent much time thinking about theological ideas. The one thing I knew was God answered me when I cried out to Him making Himself undeniably real and that I was now choosing to follow Him all the days of my life. 

Simple Evangelism 

When I was first approached about sharing the Gospel of Jesus with others (evangelism), I was intimidated. Then I realized I could simply tell my story about what Jesus did for me that night and invite others to know him too. 

My story is my story and no one can take that away from me! So is yours! 

Share Your Story

If you are looking for an easy way to share the story of Jesus with people, share your story! You may not know everything but one thing that you do know is your story. Share it!

We see the invitation to share our story other times in scripture (Mark 5:19, Psalm 71:15, Luke 8:39). The woman at the well in John 4 went out and started telling everyone to come meet a man who “told me everything I ever did” (John 4:39). 

You and I can do the same. I am praying and believing that as you tell your story others will be drawn to know Jesus the same as you were. 

Want to Grow in Evangelism? Join us!

If you are looking for a safe place to learn more about how you can tell others about Jesus and do it in the company of others who have had more experience and are willing to teach you, come to our next Local Outreach in November.

Monthly Local Outreach//November 20 @ 10am at 2910 2nd Ave 

Chuck Odum, Local Outreach Coordinator,  chuck@take-the-city.com