Personal evangelism refers to the practice of Christians sharing the gospel message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ on an individual, personal level. The basic goal of personal evangelism is to lead others to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Here is a more in-depth explanation of personal evangelism and what the Bible teaches about this important part of the Christian life:
The Great Commission and Our Role
After His resurrection, Jesus commanded His followers to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). This call to share the gospel and make disciples is known as the Great Commission, and it applies to every Christian.
While evangelism events and crusades led by pastors and evangelists have their place, God calls every believer to play a personal role in spreading the message of salvation. This does not require that we all become street preachers or foreign missionaries. Simply developing relationships, sharing our faith, and ministering to those God has placed in our lives can be considered personal evangelism.
Methods of Personal Evangelism
There are many different ways Christians can engage in personal evangelism. Here are a few common methods:
– One-on-one conversations about spiritual matters with friends, family, coworkers, classmates, etc.
– Inviting non-believers to church or evangelistic events where they can hear the gospel
– Sharing your personal testimony of how you came to faith in Christ
– Offering to study the Bible with someone who is seeking truth
– Giving out tracts, booklets, or other evangelistic literature
– Meeting physical needs first, then moving to spiritual needs as relationships develop
– Volunteering with evangelistic ministries and developing relationships from there
– Writing letters or emails to clearly explain the message of salvation
– Using social media to share gospel truths and engage people in spiritual conversations
No matter the method, relationship and demonstrating Christ’s love are key. As 1 Peter 3:15 says, we must “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
The Gospel Message
At the heart of evangelism is the gospel, the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. When engaging in personal evangelism, it is vital that we properly communicate the biblical gospel message. There are several key aspects to explain:
– God created us for relationship with Him, but our sin separates us from Him (Isaiah 59:2)
– We cannot earn salvation on our own; our good works will never be enough (Ephesians 2:8-9)
– Jesus Christ, who is fully God and fully man, died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins (Romans 5:8)
– He rose again, proving He has power over sin and death, and lives forever (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
– We must repent of our sins and believe in Christ alone for salvation (Acts 3:19, 16:31)
– When we are saved by God’s grace through faith, we receive eternal life and the free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23)
This gospel message should be shared out of love, depending on the Spirit’s guidance, and with the goal of seeing people reconciled with God.
Our Attitude and Dependence on God
Effectively communicating the gospel requires the right perspective and attitude. Personal evangelism should flow out of a heart of compassion for the lost rather than pride, judgment, or a sense of obligation. We should remember that it is ultimately the Holy Spirit who brings conviction and conversion, not our eloquence or persuasion skills.
Prayer is essential both for the lost and for wisdom in how to share with them. We must also ensure we are modeling Christlikeness in our own lives, carefully living out what we are proclaiming. With humility, respect, and dependence on God, we can avoid coming across as pushy, forceful, or condemning. Our role is to faithfully plant and water the seeds of truth God leads us to sow (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).
Barriers to Personal Evangelism
While God calls every Christian to share their faith and be His witnesses, many believers struggle to personally evangelize those around them. Common barriers include:
– Fear of rejection or offending others
– Feeling ill-equipped to answer difficult questions
– Lack of time due to busy schedules
– Not having any non-Christian friends or family
– Uncertainty about the best methods or opportunities
– Assumption that it’s just the pastor’s job, not every Christian’s
– Lacking confidence in their biblical knowledge
– Feeling like a hypocrite due to ongoing sin issues
Thankfully Scripture says “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). As we grow in grace, knowledge, and passion for the lost, these barriers can be overcome through prayer, godly counsel, and an eternal perspective.
Equipping for Personal Evangelism
Because personal evangelism is the duty and privilege of every follower of Jesus, it is important for Christians to equip themselves. Here are some tips:
– Pray for boldness, compassion, and opportunities to share the gospel
– Read books, take classes, or go through evangelism training resources
– Memorize verses and gospel presentation outlines
– Role play scenarios with Christian friends to practice
– Go out with more experienced evangelists to observe their example
– Focus on building relationships with non-believers
– Clearly understand salvation yourself, be able to articulate it simply
– Familiarize yourself with common questions and objections
– Rely on the Spirit’s guidance and power, not your own skills
Fulfilling the Great Commission requires both personal dedication and God’s empowerment. As Chuck Swindoll said “The task of sharing the gospel calls for the greatest diplomacy, the warmest compassion, the clearest communication, and the most creative presentation.” Equipped by God’s Spirit, every Christian can play a role.
Motivations for Personal Evangelism
What motivates Christians in personal evangelism? Here are some biblical motivations to keep sharing our faith:
– Understanding the reality of hell and lostness without Christ (Luke 16:19-31)
– God’s command and the example set by Jesus and the early church (Matthew 28:19-20)
– Knowing that only Jesus provides the way of salvation (John 14:6, Acts 4:12)
– God’s heart for all people to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:3-4)
– The coming judgment where all will give account (2 Corinthians 5:10)
– Gratitude for our own salvation, sharing with others (1 John 1:3-4)
– Our love for both God and our neighbors (Matthew 22:36-40, 1 John 4:7-11)
– The joy of seeing others accept Christ and begin a new life (Luke 15:7)
– Expanding Christ’s kingdom through making disciples (Matthew 16:18, Acts 1:8)
With these motivations rooted in Scripture, personal evangelism can be approached with passion and dedication to further God’s plan.
Challenges in Personal Evangelism
While there are great motivations for sharing our faith, engaging in personal evangelism also comes with challenges:
– Fear ofwhat others will think of us
– Being rejected, mocked, or ridiculed
– Not feeling adequately prepared
– Concerns about coming across as pushy
– Loss of relationships if someone is offended
– Answering difficult questions we don’t know
– Knowing when to stop if someone is stubbornly rejecting truth
– Discerning between the Holy Spirit’s leading and our own pressure
– Balancing evangelism with other responsibilities
– Feeling discouraged when evangelism is not “successful”
Yet we know God rewards our faithfulness not necessarily our visible results (1 Corinthians 3:8). With wisdom, sensitivity and dependence on God, we can navigate these challenges while continuing to boldly spread the gospel.
Conclusion
Personal evangelism involves every Christian being ready to share the life-changing message of salvation with unbelievers God has placed in their path. Whether through close relationships, public witnessing, or any method the Spirit leads, we are all called to play a role in fulfilling the Great Commission. As we prayerfully depend on God for courage and the right words to speak, we can rest in the fact that He is working through us and will use our faithful efforts for His glory.