by: Russell McLaughlin

Evangelism 101

     Lifeway Research conducted a fascinating study of “unchurched people” in 2016. It was revealed that 66% of unchurched people claim that they are unlikely to attend a church service. However, an overwhelming 79% of those people said that “if a friend of mine really value their faith, I [wouldn’t] mind talking about it with them.” The world is open to talking about Christ, but only if they see authentic faith at work in us. The good news is that they will listen if we speak.

     The most amazing thing about the story told in the book of Acts is that, starting with only 120 disciples, the news about Jesus spread throughout the world. In Jerusalem alone there were thousands of Christians in the first few years of the church. By the early centuries the church grew more and more as it multiplied. Without mass media, sophisticated strategies, or unlimited resources, the Gospel spread rapidly. How?

     The book of Acts shows it was through preaching, teaching, and simply talking to others about Jesus. They were spreading the good news about Jesus wherever they were (Acts 8:4 and 11:19-21).

     In Acts 17:17; Paul spoke daily in the Athenian marketplace “with those who happened to be present.” When Paul was rescued from the temple courts by Roman soldiers, he shared Christ; when he was on trial, he proclaimed Christ; when he spoke to a king, he taught Christ; when he was aboard a sinking ship, he talked of God; when he was under house arrest in Rome, he professed Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God.

     Do we talk to others everywhere we go about Jesus? It worked then, and it will work now! Let’s be active in sharing our faith (Philemon 1:6).  Remember, a faith not worth sharing is not worth keeping. Let’s not just walk the walk, let’s also talk the talk.