As the world continues to become more and more different from how we were raised, we as Christians often feel that we need to change and update our ways of spreading the word about Jesus. There is nothing wrong with this desire.
The problem comes when we try to reinvent the wheel. We can easily get caught up in trying out new ideas for evangelism and miss what God is doing around us. “For the way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advise. (Proverbs 12:15 ESV)” Christians should not be afraid to take advice from those who have been used by God as instruments for evangelism over the decades.
There are many ways to reach the lost, but these are some of the better-known methods.
Personal Evangelism
One way to spread God’s word is through personal evangelism. One-on-one (or in small groups) communicating the gospel to your friends and family. I want you to notice that when speaking about evangelism I use the term “friends and family”. Let’s be honest here: we all know that one person doesn’t seem to care about God. Those are the people you should speak to. It is important for Christians today to take evangelism seriously and get involved in conversation through personal, relational evangelism.
Let Them Create a Relationship
One of the best ways to get someone saved is by getting them into a relationship with God. In most cases, a relationship will lead to a deeper understanding of who Jesus is and what He did for us on the cross. As a result, if we can get them into a relationship with Jesus, we can tell them about the cross.
It is important to remember that when talking to people about Jesus, you should be respectful of their beliefs and culture. Sometimes it’s best not to shove your beliefs down someone’s throat. We all know what it feels like when someone shoves their religion or beliefs on us. We can love others without being rude about it.
Common Mistakes in Spreading the Word
I want to take a second and talk about some things that are common in Christianity today, but shouldn’t be part of our evangelism conversations.
One common mistake is the “fire and brimstone” sermon that many preachers use to get people saved. I understand that some people are turned off by the idea of God and Jesus because of the “fire and brimstone” sermons, but it shouldn’t be used as a way to get someone saved. The best way to reach someone is through love, not the fear of damnation. A person who feels like they are being forced into something isn’t going to stick around for very long.
Another mistake that many Christians make is trying to change another person’s religion into their own. I have seen this way too often. Someone will feel led by God to share the gospel with a friend, but instead of reaching out in love they try and force their beliefs on them. We can love others without sharing the gospel with them. This is something that is very common, but not very effective.
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of other ways to spread God’s word, but it is most important that we stay true to what the Bible teaches us about how to reach others for Christ. Be patient, loving, and passionate. Don’t ever be afraid of sharing the gospel with your friends and family. The best evangelism tools you have are a love for God and a passion for sharing it with others.
It takes faith to do evangelism, so let’s share some encouragement. It is important that we support each other in our efforts to spread the word about Jesus. If you know of any effective ways that you have used to spread God’s word, feel free to put them in the comments section below. If we all work together, we can reach more people for God!
Now it is your turn: what effective ways do you know in spreading the word about Jesus?
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