How to Share Jesus With Others

As Christians, we are called to spread the good news.

The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 says, “Therefore 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. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Making disciples starts with sharing Jesus with others.

However, it isn’t something every Christian is comfortable doing.

Barna reports, “Almost all practicing Christians believe that part of their faith means being a witness about Jesus (ranging from 95% to 97% among all generational groups), and that the best thing that could ever happen to someone is for them to know Jesus (94% to 97%). […] Despite this, many Millennials are unsure about the actual practice of evangelism.”

There are many reasons why Christians may feel unsure about how to share Jesus with others.

Barna suggests, “A number of factors are curbing many Christians’ enthusiasm for faith-sharing, including the decline of religion in America, a spreading apathy toward spiritual matters and a growing cultural suspicion of people of faith.”

But for some Christians, it isn’t the external factors that prevent them from sharing Jesus with others. Instead, some Christians just don’t know how to. They may have been taught how to share the Gospel story with others, but they don’t know how to get to that point.

It’s not like they can walk up to unbelievers and start a Gospel presentation. So, what do you do to get to the point where you can present the Gospel to someone in need of hearing it?

We have a few ideas.

Live Like Jesus

Possibly the best ways to share Jesus with others is to live like him. If you love well, forgive well, act with integrity, and be a blessing to others, you’re going to stand out. People will be drawn to you and want to know what makes you different than others. The difference is Jesus.

Moreover, as you draw closer to Jesus, he becomes an integral part of your life. If you share your life with others, it means you tell them about Jesus.

Outreach Magazine suggests, “What if sharing your faith with someone were as easy as sharing your life with someone? […] Here’s how I think it works. This means that when you talk about your kids, your marriage, your job, your friends, your church, your passions, etc., you are talking about Jesus. Sharing about the joys or your struggles to have a better relationship with your spouse or significant other becomes a moment that you can share how Jesus helps you to be a better, husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, etc. Your passions to be a designer become a talking point to share how Jesus has given you this passion and how you want to use your creativity to inspire others about the creator, etc. Your love of being a father is like the love of God who is a father so when you talk about your kids you can talk about your heart that God gave you.”

Invest in Relationships

Take a minute and consider your circle of influence. This is the group of people who you have some influence over – family members, friends, work colleagues. Do any of these people need Jesus? Or is your circle only comprised of Jesus followers?

One of the reasons some Christians struggle with sharing Jesus is because they don’t believe they have anyone they need to share him with. That’s a problem.

As Christians, we should want the world to know him! But sometimes we get caught in our own little bubbles.

It may be time for you to widen your circle of influence and invest in relationships with those outside your usual circle (aka those who need Jesus).

Keep Your Ears Open

If you invest in relationships, you’ll have many opportunities to be a good listener.

Many Christians struggle with evangelism because they picture someone holding a megaphone and a sandwich board, or because they have heard someone be pushy about their faith. They don’t want to be this person.

Here’s the truth – if you are invested in relationships and listening well, you will discover opportunities to share your faith.

For example, you may say, “Hey, my church is doing a series that I think you’d enjoy” because you know what piques the interest of those you are closest to. Or you may choose to share how your faith in Jesus has helped you to those closest to you because these people know the things that have been happening in your life.

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association calls this finding people in need of a cure. They write:

When you go to the doctor, you don’t say, “I have cancer.” Instead, you describe your symptoms. That’s where most people live. They only see symptoms. “I’m lonely. I’m suffering from a broken relationship. I’m stressed. There’s darkness within me that I don’t know what to do with.” How do we share Christ with someone who is overwhelmed with their symptoms? We know the ultimate cure. It’s Jesus Christ. Jesus didn’t die for their symptoms. He died for their sins. Yet, people don’t wake up in the morning and think, “You know, I need to accept Jesus.” They wake up with the symptoms, and so as people who are attempting to rescue those who are lost, we need to start with their symptoms, show them the disease (sin), and take them to the ultimate cure (Jesus).

If someone starts telling you their symptoms (depression, heartache, grudges, etc.), point them to the cure.

Be Open with Your Story

Another reason Christians struggle with sharing Jesus with others is because it requires vulnerability and authenticity.

If you simply walk someone through a script, but you don’t share how this “script” has changed you and shaped you, it will fall on deaf ears.

Instead, you should be open about your story. Share your testimony when the time is right. Regularly recognize the good that God has done and is doing in your life.

Focus on Conversation

Somewhere along the line, Christians started thinking it was up to them to “save” someone. When you put this kind of pressure on yourself, it can be hard to even get started.

It is not your job to save someone. It is your job to share Jesus with them and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.

In the book How to Give Away Your Faith, Paul Little writes, “It is the Holy Spirit, not we, who converts an individual. We, the privileged ambassadors of Jesus Christ, can communicate a verbal message; we can demonstrate through our personality and life what the grace of Jesus Christ can accomplish. But let us never naively think that we have converted a soul and brought him to Jesus Christ.”

With that being said, try to focus on having fruitful conversations rather than conversions.

Share Resources

Another way to share Jesus with others is to share the resources that have brought you closer to him.

For example, is there a Bible study that was transformative for you? If you believe it could help someone, tell them about it.

Is there a podcast or a worship album that has deepened your faith? Share it with others.

Is your friend looking for a church? Invite him to yours!