Most Christians know that God has called them to be witnesses for Him and to share the gospel with others. But sometimes—perhaps out of fear, perhaps out of preoccupation—we miss opportunities to do so.
Below are five practical tips that point us to dependence on the Lord and preparedness in sharing our faith.
1. Carry gospel tracts with you.
The best thing about having gospel tracts with you is that you are always prepared when the Holy Spirit nudges you to witness to someone. Also tracts are a useful tool whether your opportunity to witness is short or long. You can easily hand one to a cashier, for instance, in a ten-second window, or you can use one to start up a longer conversation. Because of how versatile and helpful tracts are, I always try to keep them with me—in my pocket and in my car.
2. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead and empower you.
If it were up to us to convince people of their need for Christ and the truths of the gospel, we would, at best, be religious salespeople. But it’s not up to us. It is the Holy Spirit who guides us, fills us, and helps us. And it is the Holy Spirit who convicts hearers of their sin and their need to place their faith in Christ.
Remembering God’s promises to be with us (Matthew 28:20) and to empower us (Acts 1:8) helps take the fear out of witnessing. And beginning each day asking the Lord to lead us to opportunities to witness helps to make us alert to His leading throughout the day.
3. Build intentional relationships with people.
Sometimes we forget that the people with whom we interact throughout a given day are real people with real souls. They aren’t just “a guy at work.” They have hopes, fears, needs…and all of these can be—and only can be—satisfied through Jesus. So instead of just brushing past people, build relationships with them.
4. Look for ways to turn a conversation toward spiritual things.
When you are sharing the gospel door-to-door, it’s pretty easy to bring up the gospel—that’s the entire reason you are at someone’s door! But it requires more intention to turn conversation toward things of the Lord in everyday encounters. You would be surprised, however, how many people—especially coworkers or neighbors who know your testimony—are expecting and grateful for you to invite them to your church or to talk about spiritual matters. So look for those opportunities to turn a conversation.
5. Faithfully sow the seed of God’s Word.
Many people don’t trust Christ the first time they hear the gospel. Some may even be antagonistic toward you for sharing it. But the wonderful thing about God’s Word is that it is a seed, and even if it doesn’t bear fruit immediately, it does eventually. So keep planting it!
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit…—John 15:8
