It’s an old church word, but today it can often call up images of overly preachy approaches, tactless tracts, or gimmicky types of church outreach. Against these things, if we want to truly understand evangelism, we should forget the cringeworthy ways it can go wrong, and remember what the word truly means.
Evangelism is a beautiful word. It’s root in original language of ancient Greek is a pleasing word to say. Here it is: εὐαγγέλιον. It’s pronounced: you – ăng– gĕll – eon (the vowels in the 2nd and 3rd syllables are short): you-ang-gel-eon. A beautiful word right? It’s kinda fun to say.
It means “the good news”. It’s used in the Bible as a summary word for the message that Jesus Christ came to bring to us. In the Bible when it’s turned into a verb it means sharing the good news. “Evangelism” is the English version of that verb. The sharing of the good news that Jesus brought us.
Jesus commissions the eleven apostles to share the good news after his resurrection in Mark 16:14-18 and promises the power of God to help them overcome the obstacles to doing so. It’s tempting to think that the sharing of the good news today is the work of preachers, ministers, and church staff (especially because that first charge was given to the apostles).
Sharing the good news, however, is for everyone. Paul teaches that all Christians aught to be ready with an answer for the good news inside of them or what the good news has done for them (Eph 6:15).
At its heart, evangelism is supposed to look something like this:
- First we are recipients of the good news: You remember when you first realized the reality and the goodness of God, often that comes at a time when it is most needed.
- Then it changes us: There are so many ways this happens: peace that passes understanding, freedom from addiction, perspective that comforts and sets free, inspiration to do real good in God’s name, a stronger and more loving family, and much much more.
- Then we have good news to share: Just like it says in the 23rd psalm: “…my cup runneth over.” The good news of God has been such a blessing for you, and you have been given more than you need. You have been given good news to share. And you do so out of love, not fear of judgement, not obligation or duty, or anything like that, but out of love.
Evangelism is a beautiful thing, it is meant to be an expression of the love of God that moves through you. It is a responsibility of all Christians, but one you can share in so many ways: in word, in deed, in prayer, in friendship, and more.
A little bit of practical application from your Pastor:
In the last 10 years or so of my life, these are the most common ways that the Lord has opened a door for me to share my testimony, my faith, and the good news of our God with others.
- When your friends and family members talk to you about their sufferings and trials, offer to pray for them. Many won’t feel comfortable praying right then and there, but just letting people know that you are praying for them is a profoundly meaningful thing. Honestly, if you tell me about your sufferings and trials I’m going to pray for you anyway, so I might as well let you know that I’m asking God to bless you.
- Let it be known that you are a Christian and that you go to church. It’s amazing how easy it is to keep this quiet and private, but it shouldn’t be. If church and a walk with God is a part of your daily life, why shouldn’t it also be a part of your regular conversation. The whole world knows I’m a huge star trek fan, I talk about it all the time, why shouldn’t I also I also talk about aspects of my faith and my religion (in the same way I would talk about anything else I do). When people know you are working on an active relationship with God, they’re more likely to ask about it later.
- Inviting someone to church is still a very meaningful way to share your faith, but there’s a difference between a cold invitation “hope to see you there” and a meaningful one “meet me by the welcome desk at 9:15, I’ll walk you around and if you want we can have coffee or lunch afterwards”. At Downs we try to publicize the sermon topics as facebook headers on our facebook page so that you can let people know what we’re talking about that morning. We’re working on getting this info to the website front page soon.
- Ask God to give you opportunities to share your faith. Some really impressive and wonderful moments can come from it. When you and I ask the Lord for a chance to share the good news, and then are mindful to look for it daily, you will find that life presents many opportunities where a simple question, comment, prayer, or action of service on your part is not only welcome, but also opens the door to share the good news.
- Be confident with the time you’re given: I think I can count on one hand the number of times in my life where I got to share the whole story of scripture in one sitting I mean that would be: creation, exodus, Babylonian exile, Christmas, ministry of Jesus, Easter, and the start of the church! Often times you’re only sharing a part of the story of the good news with people (and usually it’s not even a Bible study at all, more like a testimony). Trust that whatever portion of the good news you share, that’s what was needed then and there, and understand that God will take care of the rest.
Let your evangelism flow from the abundance that God gives to you. Let it be an act of love and nothing else. Sharing your faith can be a profound blessing, and need not be contrived or forced. If God is a part of your life, then by all means, share it!