Easy Evangelism

Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?
John 4:29

As many of you know, my jail ministry mentor and partner, Mrs. Sue, went to be with the Lord last October. The jail doesn’t allow people in for ministry until they have attended a training session, and they don’t offer those but once a year. The time for the training session is approaching, so I’ve been working on my “motivational speech” for those who might consider helping with this endeavor. I don’t mind doing it on my own, but of course there are weeks I can’t go, and it’s always better when you can go two by two as per Bible example (Mark 6:7, Luke 10:1).

Jail ministry is not for everyone, but I would hate for someone to dismiss the idea too quickly. It’s not as hard as you might think. And I think that must be true of many kinds of ministry or evangelism. Wherever you want to share the gospel, consider these principles:

The first thing you need if you want to share your faith is a willingness to engage with people. I was painfully shy as a young child, but gradually my parents’ friendliness rubbed off on me and I learned not to be afraid to talk to people. Well, sometimes I’m still afraid, but I’m also still learning. There’s a place in God’s kingdom for shy people. But if we keep to ourselves all the time, sharing the gospel is going to be difficult.

Secondly, the ladies in the jail just want to know that you care. And of course that is true everywhere. Giving people your time and showing them that they have value goes such a long way toward opening their hearts to Christ. In homes, schools, and places of business, people love to know that someone cares about them. Some of them are not treated with respect in their jobs. Some of them have been made to feel inferior at school. Some of them, even in their own homes, are told they are worthless and no good. When we show people the love of Christ, when we tell them they have value in the sight of God, they will appreciate it, especially if they haven’t received such treatment elsewhere.

Finally, if we want to bring people to Christ, we have to share with them his teachings. So, what if you don’t feel equipped to teach? In that case, see the previous two points. Perhaps you have never put together an outlined 3-point Bible lesson complete with introduction and conclusion. But if you are a Christian who cares and is willing to engage with people, you can share real-life wisdom. Tell them how the teachings of Christ help you deal with situations in your life. Or simply open up to a good rich Bible passage and ask them what they think it means. Learn together.

Furthermore there are countless Bible lessons already put together in books and online. I know the ladies at the jail wouldn’t mind if you read a lesson like a script. Once mutual respect is established, anyone who really wants to learn will respect any effort you make to share your source of wisdom and peace. And what if they ask you a question that you can’t answer? Easy! Just tell them it’s a good question and that you’ll try to find an answer and get back to them. They’ll respect that too.

Whether you go to a jail or to your neighbor’s house, these principles apply. Even if you feel you have no capacity to teach, engaging with people and showing them you care are so valuable, so powerful, do those two things anyway. Then you can bring people to someone who can teach. I’m not saying evangelism is always easy, but I know at times I have been guilty of over-thinking it. Sometimes like Philip or the woman at the well (John 1:45-46; 4:29), all we really have to say is, “Come and see.”

Dear God, forgive me for the times I am too wrapped up in myself to share your love as I should. I pray that you would send forth laborers into the harvest. Furthermore, here am I, Lord. Send me. Show me where to go and what to say, and in every situation, help me to spread Your love. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

by Christie Cole Atkins