When it comes to the skill of evangelism, the book of Acts has made it abundantly clear that we’re all in God’s communication business.
The Lord said to us (via the apostles) that we would each receive power through the Holy Spirit to be his witnesses (Acts 1:8). On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit anointed each and every one who was in the company of faith (Acts 2:1-4), fulfilling the great prophecy of Joel that in the last days, God would pour his Spirit on all of his people (Acts 2:16-18).
When the first wave of persecution fell on the young church after the martyrdom of Stephen, many believers in Jerusalem fled to Judea and Samaria, and we are told that “those who were scattered went about preaching the word” (Acts 8:4).
Some of us might protest, “But I’m not a preacher!” But another thing that Acts has taught us is that sharing the gospel can take place is all sorts of ways, besides preaching. In their first missionary journey, Luke writes that Paul and Barnabas were “speaking boldly for the Lord” (Acts 14:3). There are all sorts of ways to speak. Later in Paul’s second missions trip, we find Paul “reasoning” with people from the Scriptures, then “explaining and proving” why Jesus had to suffer, and sometimes simply “proclaiming” that Jesus was the Christ (Acts 17:1-3).
We’re not Coneheads (if you remember the classic Saturday Night Live characters). We can’t touch our heads together and share thoughts. Everything that happens on the earth which humans have a hand in takes place because we open our mouths and speak. Big things – wars and elections. Little things – you finding a job or graduating or getting married. Words make it happen.
There’s an old saying, “Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.” It’s a good saying. I’ve used it before. It’s a reminder that our life and testimony should always line up with each other. You have to walk the walk as you talk the talk. But you still have to sooner or later talk the talk. (It’s also a reminder to listen more than you speak.)
Because if you don’t speak with words, well guess what – then you’re still communicating. If your good friend Harry down at the shop who you’ve known for five years says to you, “Hey, I never knew you were a Christian.” well guess what – for five years you’ve been communicating to Harry about Jesus through your silence. And you haven’t been doing Harry any favors.
So if you’re not a good public speaker, but we’re all in the communication business, how we get better at it? Here are three ideas.
Pray.
We can start asking the Lord to do what he promised, and teach you how to be a fisher of men (Matthew 4:19). In fact, here is a list of a couple dozen other Scriptures that speak of God’s heart to bring this lost world back to him. Get to know these verses and start to work them into your prayers. In time, you will find shifts happening in your heart and behavior when it comes to evangelism.
Prepare.
Think through in advance what you might say to someone if the opportunity arises to plant a gospel seed. If you hear someone ask a question and you’re not sure of the answer, do some research and find an answer. Peter wrote, “Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15). Another way to prepare is to write out a number of “60 Second Stories” which explain how you came to faith, or why you believe in Jesus, or which describe any of the ways in which he has changed your life for the better.
Practice.
You just have to open your mouth and start to speak. The philosopher Francis Bacon famously said, “I read to be a full man. I write to be an exact man. I speak to be a ready man.” You’ll never get better at anything unless you just start doing it, take your lumps, then learn from them. So jump in with both feet, open your lips, and communicate.