Many people are at a loss for words when sharing the gospel, so what can you say to introduce the subject of faith in Christ?
The Great Omission
It is difficult to introduce the subject of the Gospel and Jesus Christ for the majority of people and that’s the reason why so few Christians evangelize the lost. We are more prone to fear man than God, meaning we fear being rejected, scorned, or people becoming angry at us when we share our faith more than fearing God to obey His command to share Christ. That’s why most of us are silent…or, the frozen chosen body of Christ. Even though Isaiah 6:8 should be all of our clarion calls from God where Scripture says, “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me,” most will say, “Not me!” Instead of fulfilling the imperative command from Jesus Christ to go into all the world (Matt 28:18-20), we won’t even go next door! The Great Commission has become the “great omission,” but I pray I can help you change that.
Breaking the Ice
Breaking the ice with strangers or even family members is as easy as asking about their family or where they work or how their day is going. Ask questions about them first…and then listen and don’t interrupt. They are likely to share what is most important to them, so after listening, tell them about your family…you’re in the family of God you know! After asking how someone’s day was going, they asked me the same question. My answer was, “I’m doing better than I deserve…Jesus died in my place to take God’s wrath off me and now I can rejoice on the Day of Jesus coming and not fear the final judgment….” (Or something like that.). I might even throw a Bible verse like Revelation 20:12-15 (the Great White Throne Judgment).
Using Current Events
Watching or hearing the news always brings opportunity to start a spiritual conversation. For example, when people died in the most recent plane crash, the subject of mortality and what happens after death can be breached. You might ask someone, “What do you think happens after someone dies? Where do the go to? Is there a heaven or hell? Why would you think God would let you in heaven?” Any headline is a subject you can use to introduce people into spiritual subjects like life after death, where the soul and body goes after death and so on.
Family and Work
Ask anyone anything about their family and they’ll likely talk your ear off. Family or perhaps work seems to always rise to the top when you start talking to people. Whatever is the most important thing in their life will likely dominate the conversation, so listen and learn about what they value most on this earth and only then should you tell them about your family and values taught by God in His Word about God’s wrath coming on those who reject Jesus Christ as their Savior (John 3:18,36). God’s mercy will never be relevant unless God’s wrath is revealed to them. God’s judgment on sinners should make them run to the cross and flee to safety found only in the grace of God through Jesus’ atoning life, death and resurrection (1 Cor 15:1-4). Anything less than this gospel will be half a gospel…which is really no gospel at all.
Ice Breakers
Below is a list of things you can use to introduce the gospel through one-on-one evangelism.
Do you have any kind of spiritual beliefs?
To you, who is Jesus?
Do you think there is a heaven or a hell?
If you died tonight, where would you go?
By the way, if what you believe is not true, would you want to know?
Ask someone where they go to church.
Invite them to church.
Ask questions about their church.
Distribute free Bibles at a garage sale, community event, etc.
Mention God in casual conversation.
Mention prayer in casual conversation.
Mention a favorite verse in casual conversation.
Go door to door.
Volunteer at a hospital.
Volunteer at a food bank; engage others in conversation.
Hand out Biblical pamphlets or tracts.
Offer a home Bible study.
Bring food to a neighbor in need and offer to pray with them.
Offer to pray with someone and/or for someone.
Walk up to a stranger and ask if they’d like you to pray for them.
Study the Gospel yourself. The more it’s on your mind, the more it’ll come out of your mouth.
Share why you became a Christian.
Ask someone why they became a Christian (or why not, if they don’t believe).
Ask them what they did to be saved.
Pray for opportunities.
Pray for helpers.
Listen for openings in conversations.
Build relationships.
Text someone a few verses or an invite to services.
Refuse to gossip. If asked, explain why.
Live the life of a Christian. People will be amazed.
Sing a hymn casually.
Tell them about Coffee and a Bible you had on….[whatever].
Pray before a meal in a restaurant.
Evangelize to someone who tries to sell you something at your door or on the phone. (At the very least, there’ll be one less solicitor on your doorstep or spam phone call.)
Actually talk to Mormon missionaries who show up at your house and explain the errors in the Book of Mormon.
Hand out five business cards for your church every single month to different people.
Ask a deep question, such as “What do you think Heaven will be like?”
Read the Bible to patients in a hospital.
Visit a nursing home and spend time with the patients. The nurses and staff will notice.
Minister to prisoners by letter (many are begging for pen pals).
Excel in everything you do. “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as to the Lord and not to man” (Colossians 3:23).
Listen before speaking.
Listen to people’s issues. Tell them what the Scriptural solutions are in the Bible.
Evangelism flows best when it flows through relationships.
Find the people closest to you and be very honest and open about your desire to see them saved.
Share Biblical articles on social media.
Get out of your comfort zone. Be bold.
Leave a Bible tract at the gas pump.
Send Bibles to hard-to-reach nations. Though the Bible has been translated into hundreds of languages; that doesn’t mean they’re reaching the people in those countries (Support Voice of the Martyrs).
Carry a pocket Bible to read regularly.
Respect where people are coming from.
In trite conversations, instead of responding with “I’m fine,” when someone asks how you’re doing, say “I’m blessed,” or something similar.
Never cram the Bible down people’s throats; Jesus never forced His beliefs on anyone.
Smile.
Pray.
Commit.
Don’t quit.
A good ice breaker will get people talking.
Conclusion
Neither you nor I can save anyone (John 6:44)…but God can use you as a means in saving someone through your sharing Christ. God alone saves (Acts 4:12), but He is pleased to use us, clay vessels, to help share His mercy and grace (Matt 28:18-20). I pray you have put your trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, my friend, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.
Here is some related reading for you: 5 Ways to Evangelize Through Our Actions
Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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