Talking to someone about Christianity can be a daunting prospect, especially when the person you are speaking to does not have an understanding of the Christian faith. However, with the right approach and attitude, you can effectively communicate the beautiful truths of Christianity to your audience. The first step in doing so is to find out what kind of context the person has. Ask questions that help you understand their beliefs and values. Listen intently, without judgement or criticism. This will help you gain a better understanding of their perspective and provide an effective basis for dialogue.
When communicating the basics of Christianity, start off by providing a plain and simple description of the faith. Describe how God created the world and how He created humans in His own image. Explain the foundational story of the Bible and how salvation and redemption are accomplished through faith in Jesus Christ. Use biblical passages and stories to illustrate how Christianity provides purpose and meaning to life. Explain how the Holy Spirit guides believers in their faith journey.
When illustrating certain doctrines, it helps to draw analogies and draw comparisons to show how elegant and reasonable Christianity is. Talk about the consolation of truth and everlasting hope, the relevance of Christian principles to everyday life, and the beauty of a relationship between man and God. Emphasise that belief in and acceptance of Jesus Christ is the only way to achieve salvation and eternal life. Most importantly, invite people to enter into a personal relationship with God. Invite them to seek Him through prayer and study, and show them how to access the help and strength of the Lord as they seek spiritual growth.
Be patient and non-judgemental at all times. Respectfully answer any questions the other person may have, back it up with scripture and explain the relevance of certain teachings. Do not assume the other person knows certain topics such as the gospel of Jesus, Adam and Eve, and other core beliefs of Christianity. If they are open-minded, you may introduce more complex topics. Finally, encourage and pray for their spiritual growth and share the love of Jesus with them. Show interest, continue to have conversations, and invite them to church activities and Bible studies.
Prayer
Prayer is an indispensable tool for someone sharing their faith. Before, during, and after any discussion or evangelisation, prayer can make all the difference. Before any conversation, pray for guidance and assistance in delivering the right words that can open the other person’s heart. Pray for boldness and courage, and to be an effective witness of the Christian faith. Ask God to give you humility, courage, and discernment to deal with questions and doubts.
During the conversation, pause and take time to listen and pray to God, asking Him to touch the other person’s spirit with the truth and light of His Word. Pray for their enlightenment and understanding. As you continue to share the faith, remain humble and pray that the Holy Spirit will work in your words for His purpose. After every conversation, thank God for the successful discussion and for the knowledge that you have been blessed with guidance from Him.
Building Relationships
When discussing Christianity, relationships are an important factor. The underlying goal for any evangelism should always be for the person to come to understand and accept Jesus Christ. But it does not happen overnight. It takes time, dedication, openness and a willingness to listen without judgement. Make it a priority to get to know the other person: listen to their story, find out what they value, and follow up on their response. This can be done by inviting them to church events or personal meetings, asking them questions, showing respect and demonstrating your warmth and sincerity.
When people feel accepted and respected, they can open up and feel safe to explore their spiritual journey. It creates a platform for meaningful conversations. And even if the person rejects Christianity, maintain the relationship and continue relating to them in love and humility. Over time, they may be more willing to accept Christian teachings, and your bond may even lead them to a closer relationship with God.
Using Technology
In modern times, technology provides numerous opportunities for sharing the faith. Social media platforms are powerful tools for evangelising through your own experiences, stories, and reflections. You can also join or create online Christian communities which promote spiritual growth and faith. And podcasts, videos, webinars, and other online resources provide great opportunities to spread the gospel and equip believers. Many of these platforms also allow users to create their own content, giving you the opportunity to discuss your own spiritual journey and testify to the positive effects of a Christian faith.
It is important to be mindful that technology has its limits. It is still open to misinterpretation, and technical difficulties can often disrupt conversations. To ensure meaningful interaction, aim for personal conversations in which there is direct communication and interaction. This can help build meaningful relationships, make the other person more comfortable, and create a better platform for providing spiritual advice.
Apologetics
In a lot of cases, people may have doubts about Christianity or may even raise questions about the faith which you may not know how to answer. In such cases, apologetics can be quite useful. Apologetics is the field of defending the truth of the Christian faith by providing rational, logical, and evidence-based answers to any direct questions. For example, when a person asks how they can trust in the Bible when it is thousands of years old, apologetics can provide an answer. It focuses on topics such as the reliability of the Bible and the credibility of the Christian faith.
When engaging in apologetics, it is important to remain humble, approachable, and respectful. Don’t assume that you already have the right answers and don’t be defensive when your own arguments are challenged. Instead, be open to any objections and focus on expanding dialogue and discussions rather than getting into debates. Aim to provide evidence-based and reasonable answers that can help lead to a closer relationship with God.
Questions To Ask
Finally, another helpful approach for sharing Christianity is to ask questions which can help your audience think about the faith in a different way. These questions should be tailored to their understanding and context. For example, if someone is unfamiliar with the Bible and Christianity, it may be helpful to ask: “What do you think it means to be a Christian?” and “What do you think are some of the benefits of a faith in Jesus?” These types of questions lead to meaningful interaction and open the door for more in-depth conversations.
Questions like: “What do you think the purpose of our lives is?” and “What does the word ‘salvation’ mean to you?” are also helpful for introducing topics related to the Christian faith. The ultimate aim of such questions is to get the other person to think more deeply about the faith, and possibly even open them up to the concept of accepting Christ as their personal saviour.
Follow Up and Support
Ultimately, the goal of evangelising Christianity is to introduce people to the good news of Jesus Christ. Explain the fundamentals and principles of Christianity and invite people to develop a personal relationship with God. Be patient and understanding, and use the right language to communicate your faith. Don’t be discouraged by any rejections, even if they don’t accept Jesus right away. The most important thing is to continue to share God’s love in every interaction and provide spiritual support if needed.
Follow up on conversations, lend support and have patience as the other person continues their spiritual journey. Pray for them. Offer them advice when asked, or support them in their eagerness to understand the faith. Ask about their progress and what areas they are struggling with. Show them God’s love and invite them to join you in worshiping Him. Finally, remember that there is no guaranteed formula for evangelising Christianity. But with the right attitude, understanding and perseverance, you can be a powerful witness for God and touch the lives of many.
