When I first became a believer, evangelism meant “cold call,” door-to-door telling people about Jesus. That approach actually still works in some contexts, but it’s not the norm. Here are some steps to reaching the unchurched today.
- Secure prayer support. Get some prayer warriors to pray for you what the Apostle Paul wanted others to pray for him: that he would have opportunity to evangelize and that he would speak the gospel clearly and boldly (Col. 4:2-4, Eph. 6:18-20).
- Get to know the culture. We’re “aliens and strangers” in this world (1 Pet. 2:11), but we also must think as missionaries wherever we live; that is, we must be willing to understand and cross cultures to reach people. Know the news. Be aware of movies and music. Listen to vocabularies. Talk to young people. Under the protection of the Holy Spirit, you can be in the world without conforming to it.
- Choose to live among the unchurched. You can’t reach people you don’t know. So, participate in the community, join civic organizations, invite unchurched people into your life, and hang out with people who don’t know Jesus. This step might even mean strategically doing less in your church to have time to develop these relationships.
- Ask questions. Be interested in people, especially people who live and think differently than you do. Ask about their family, their work, their religious background, their thoughts about Jesus. Listen closely. Respond respectfully. Genuinely and deeply desire to get to know them, not as evangelistic projects but as people created in the image of God.
- Watch for trials or transitions. People are often more open to the gospel when their lives face change or difficulty. Offer a prayer in those times. Talk about how God has helped you through struggles. Without being a “buzzard circling for the kill,” lovingly serve others who need a helping hand.
- Watch for open doors to speak about God’s goodness and grace. Tell others about how God has answered your prayer, given you peace during a troubled time, granted you joy that even you don’t understand, or freed you from some bondage. Show people how the gospel has transformed you.
- Get to Jesus. Eventually you must get to Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection if you’re doing evangelism. Don’t be afraid to ask, “You know, my relationship with Jesus has changed my life. May I take a few minutes to tell you about that?” If you’ve gained credibility and relationship with a person, you might find somebody ready to listen.
- Invite them to church, and be there with them if possible. Don’t leave them alone to navigate a world they don’t know. Walk with them. Explain what’s happening. Help remove obstacles other than the gospel.
- Do something. We know that doing nothing won’t reach anybody. Take at least one step toward the lost world. What would you add to this list?
What would you add to this list?
Sound counsel. However, churches must work hard at developing Christians who are sufficiently strong spiritually to engage culture without themselves being harmed. That cannot be assumed. Sometimes those who are most eager to do evangelism are most needful of maturation in faith and holiness. Requires pastoral care!
Thanks, Gary. That’s one reason I encourage us always to walk beside young believers in mentoring relationships.
I especially like number nine. People can be so afraid of doing the wrong thing that they do nothing.
Thanks, Stephen.
*Eat with them. So many Gospel episodes were people gathering around food. It is not intimidating to eat with people. It removes barriers
•Serve with them. Find a way to serve side by side with those who do not yet know Jesus. This does not need to be a “church project”. It is more natural if it is a community project.
Thanks, Brett. Good ideas.
Thanks Brett. Great info to me as we serve in our neighborhood house church. Most in our immediate community attend no church.
Great stuff.
Thanks, Tim.
“You know, my relationship with Jesus has changed my life…”. I know a sensible and intelligent man, Simon around his 40’s now who became a believer in his 20’s. He grew up in a Christian home.
There was no doubt about his sincerity and everybody could see he followed Christ.
After quite a while he stopped walking with Christ. His reason was that he heard and thought that he had a personal relationship with Christ but felt that he didn’t experience it as such.
He related from his side to the Lord but felt disappointed in the Lord’s response. For instance he would pray for answers but then there would just be silence from the other side.
He understood that we as humans are having personal relationships with people around us and people would respond when we relate to them but for him it was another story with the Lord.
He wondered why other people would relate normally with him but not Lord who is also a personal being and who loves him more than any other person could?
I think many Christians are struggling with what it really means to be in personal relationship with the Lord and also wonder why there would be no or poor response from the Lord’s side. Is it possible that people might have misconceptions about the reality of what it is to have a personal relationship with the Lord?
Simon had the courage to verbalize his problem but I think quite a number Christians who are struggling with this just disappear quietly from the church. Others perhaps are just hanging around for the sake of having a social life, etc. Is it possible that they might have unrealistic ideas and expectations of having a relationship with the Lord?
I wonder how often would Christians just give right answers but inside they know it is not the actual truth.
In that sense one would admire people like Simon who express this problem and then rather leave if they don’t get satisfactory answers.
Is there some material which can help to explain the nature of having a personal relationship with the Lord and how to help Christians struggling with this? And how can we help people to have a real and meaningful personal relationship with the Lord apart from the normal encouragement that they should read the Scriptures, pray, attend church, witness and read Christian books?
Readers, what are your thoughts?