Minimum Daily Requirements for Evangelism

I have always had, a Love/Hate relationship with evangelism – I love the concept, I would love to be successful, I would love for it to be easy and natural, mostly I would love to see people saved and added to local churches. I don’t think any Christian or local church will ever be completely joyful and fulfilled unless passionately involved in evangelism and seeing people saved.  I believe God created us to be that way because we are created after His image and He is that way.  I believe the joy and fulfillment we will experience is the very joy and fulfillment God experiences.

But, I often hate my resume’.  I never feel like I witness enough (even though I can’t even say what enough is), as a result, there is no area of my life I more regularly feel guilt. And when I try I often feel inadequate and anxious.  At times, I would like to ignore the entire subject (make it go away!) but I know that isn’t an option because this is something that God has clearly called every Christian to – can anyone relate?

So doing nothing isn’t an option but what am I to do?  What does it actually look like for the ordinary Christian to evangelize?  So let me just give you 5 simple things that every Christian can do to be involved in the church’s mission to preach the gospel to the lost.

What I call – Minimum Daily Requirements (MDA) for Evangelism.

Be conscious that you are on a mission

All the gospels end with a commission to mission.  Acts begins with a commission.  The best known of these commissioning statements is…

Matt. 28:18-20: “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”

The commission begins with a mandate to evangelism.  The process of making disciples starts with disciples going to tell unbelievers the good news of what Jesus has done to save them from their sins.   As missionary disciples, we must find ways to remind ourselves daily that there are mission opportunities all around us and that we need to be consciously looking for them.

CHESTER and TIMMIS (Total Church, 63) – “Most gospel ministry involves ordinary people doing ordinary things with gospel intentionality.” 

Pray for the lost and for opportunities to share the gospel

1 Tim. 2:1-4:  “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people…this is good and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Praying for the lost is an easy way to remind yourself daily that you are on a mission, plus, I believe these are prayers that God will answer.   Pray for opportunities.  Pray for the Holy Spirit to grant you boldness.  And most of all pray for those people in your life that you long to see saved – those who are close to you but far from God.

Be friendly and engaging

John 4:35: “lift up your eyes and see that the fields are white for harvest.”

We all face the temptation to go through life with our heads down.  Evangelism opportunities may arise from simply being nice to people.  Saying hi.  Engaging them in conversation.  Introducing yourself to your neighbor.  Talking to your co-workers, service workers, etc.

This simple friendliness may open opportunities for further conversations, to invite someone over, or to be invited over or to talk about something important someday.  Remember, Jesus was a friend of sinners.

Let people know that you are a Christian

I’m not suggesting telling everyone you meet – “say, by the way, I’m a Christian.”  But there are many ways to talk about your church, the Bible, Christian relationships, etc.  For example, how often does someone ask - what did you do this weekend?

Once people know you are a Christian they will start looking at you differently, observing you, give you a chance to break stereotypes, and you will be surprised how people may seek you out when they have questions or problems.

Share a tract, your story, the gospel as the opportunity arises

Actually sharing the gospel is the goal.  All the above positions you to do so.  But if the opportunity arises are you prepared?

1 Peter 3:15:  “Always being prepared to make a defense (NIV - to give an answer) to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.”

Being a witness requires some work on your part.   Could you simply and accurately share the gospel?  Can you explain simply why a person needs to be saved; how the gospel saves and how one is called to respond?  Can you explain simply your story? 

In the coming months, Jim and I are going to be fleshing out these MDAs in ways that we hope will help you – do the work of an evangelist – and help your members experience the joy of sharing the gospel and seeing God work in the lives of their family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers.