Evangelizing Can Be Like Preparing For A Job Interview

Many born again believers shy away from the idea of sharing the gospel message with others because they think they won't be able to answer questions that go beyond the simple message of salvation. It's common for born again believers in Christ to fear being asked questions for which we may not have the answers.

Let's assume, for the sake of argument, that we're all able to share the basic salvation message. That being said, many of us may not feel equipped to answer an unexpected question out of left field... questions that many unbelievers may have. Some of us go blank when we're put under a pressure to come up with an answer. It happens in real life, so it should be no surprise when it sometimes happens when evangelizing. Some of us may think that we're not able to retain knowledge, but that can be overcome with practice and prayer. How many of us have been on a job interview and been asked, "So, tell me about yourself," and we go blank, not knowing exactly what to say? Unless you've prepared yourself to answer that question, you'll find yourself fumbling to answer the interviewer. I've learned, through experience, to write down questions the interviewer may ask, and then create a response, practicing that response over and over until I'm confident enough that I'll be able to answer the question without hesitation. Well, evangelizing is like going to a job interview. You need to be somewhat prepared, but you don't necessarily need to have all that knowledge in your head. 

So here's some advice that I'd like to share with you that will make it easier. 

• Purchase an inexpensive bible you can use specifically for evangelizing and keep it with your evangelism supplies. 
• Grab a piece of paper or use your electronic device (phone, tablet, computer, etc.) and write down some of the more difficult questions you've been asked, or that you've seen online. Examples: "Did Jesus ever call Himself God?" "Why did Jesus, when He was on the cross, ask the Father why He had forsaken Him? Didn't He know what was happening?" "Why would Jesus ask not to be tortured and crucified if that's what He came here to do?" "Wasn't Mary sinless? Pure? Without sin?" "If Jesus was fully man, wasn't he born with original sin?"
• After you've written down the questions, use online sources to find the scripture references that relate to them, and write them down as well. 
• Transfer both the questions and scripture references to the front and back of your bible. You can write them on the inside cover, use Post-Its inside the cover, have a list tucked into your bible... whatever is more convenient for you, so that you have those scripture references available to share at a moment's notice. You can even add the page number, if that makes it easier for you to find.
• Next would be to mark those scriptures inside that bible, so when you turn to the specific scripture reference, it's already marked, making easier to locate on the page. You can use whatever system you're comfortable with; underlining, highlighting, color coding, using solid or transparent post-it notes, etc... whatever you need to make it more convenient for you to find and share scripture. You can even jot down the next scripture reference next to the one you just read, so that you can seamlessly turn to the next scripture on your list without having to refer back to your notes.

Although people can ask some tough or unexpected questions, you can have some of those answers at your fingertips by doing a little prep work. You won't have the answers to every question, and that's okay, but you'll be better prepared to field a lot of the more common questions people may throw at you, and that'll make you more confident to share the message of salvation with those who haven't heard it before. You may be surprised to find out how many people have rejected or questioned the existence of God without truly hearing what salvation really means.

Remember, though, that sharing Jesus begins with living an obedient, godly life. Many people will look to you as a living example of Christianity. Your own life is an important part of your witness. Too many people live a life outside of the will of God, presenting a false or hypocritical example of what a true born again believer should be, and people often judge Christianity by our behavior. They're not looking at the "church face" Christians wear for a couple of hours on Sunday at church. They're looking at the "real life" example of who you really are the other 166 hours of the week, at home, out in public, at work, etc... So start with being a reflection of Jesus no matter where you are.

There are more ways to prep for evangelism, but I hope I've given you a few helpful tips to make it easier to share God's word in a world of lost souls. I encourage you to get that bible prepped, assemble your tracts, put on that Christian t-shirt and/or hat, grab your signs, or do whatever it is that you do to share Jesus, and get out there. You'll find that the more you talk with people about Jesus, the better you'll get at it, and the more knowledge you'll be able to retain without using your notes. Read the word. Memorize a scripture or two every week. Pray. Remember, God doesn't call those who are already equipped, He equips those whom He calls. God has given us the responsibility of sharing His word, so He won't leave us high and dry. He's sent His Holy Spirit to teach and guide us into all knowledge, and to bring to mind those things that we've read and learned. We just need to let the Holy Spirit have His way in this area of our life, and the best way we can do that is to flex our spiritual muscles by going out there and sharing the word of God with the lost. 

We're not all children of God. That description is reserved only for those who are born again believers. Let's be the living vessels through which God can work to take back those who the enemy has drawn away from Him. Let us work together to make sure that there will be fewer people who will stand before the Lord and say, "I never knew." Every soul saved is one taken out of the grasp of the enemy. 

"And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4'What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.'" Luke 15:3-7 

“Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." Luke 15:8-10 

 

*words were underlined by me

REPENT, AND BE FORGIVEN!

BELIEVE, AND BE SAVED!

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