From an early age, each of us has been taught a very important lesson: share. As kids, we’re instructed to share our toys with our siblings or friends. Childrens’ books and TV shows reiterate the lesson that “sharing is caring.” So what better way to show you care about someone than to share Jesus with them?
If you’re like many Christians, the thought of sharing your faith probably makes you a little uncomfortable. Maybe you generally avoid confrontation. Maybe you don’t want to offend anyone. Maybe you don’t really know what to say. Together, we’ll look at the importance of sharing Jesus. Plus, we’ll discover what it looks like when a life is committed to that goal.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO SHARE JESUS?
Sharing Jesus is important for many reasons, but there’s only one reason that really matters.
Jesus told us to.
After Jesus’ resurrection and just before He ascended into heaven, He leaves his followers (including us) with a very important command. Matthew 28:19-20 reveals this “Great Commission:”
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Clearly, Jesus expects His followers to share the good news of the gospel wherever we go. And some of us could be doing a little better.
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE TO SHARE JESUS?
So what exactly does it look like to share Jesus? Does it look like someone standing on a street corner with a condemning sign, yelling truth at everyone who passes by? Not so much. It does, however, look much like you as you’re going through your daily life in work, school, or living among your neighbors. It looks like you, plus a certain level of intentionality, looking for opportunities to shine for Jesus. Let’s explore some practical ways to share Jesus with those around you.
LIVE LIKE JESUS EVERY DAY
One way to share Jesus with those around you is to simply act like Jesus. In every circumstance, consider what Jesus would do. When we respond with grace and mercy in situations when the rest of the world responds with anger, that looks different. And then you give those around you a glimpse of Jesus.
Acting like Jesus in the workplace means doing your job as unto the Lord. (Colossians 3:23-24)
Acting like Jesus at home means treating your family with love and respect. (Ephesians 5:22-6:4)
Acting like Jesus around others means showing love to all – even the ones who treat us poorly. (Matthew 5:43-48)
Far more often than we’d like to admit, we want to handle things in less-than-godly ways. But thankfully, God gives us the fruit of the Spirit so that we can live like Jesus every day. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
Sign up your child for the Lifeguard Kids Club!
Kids in kindergarten through 3rd grade are invited to sign up to receive a quarterly publication from Life 90.5 full of fun activities, an encouraging word, and even birthday surprises!
Sign your child up now by completing the form here.
GIVE GOD SOME PRAISE
Sometimes sharing Jesus with others is as easy as bragging on God for a minute. In addition to sharing the greatness of salvation with an unbelieving friend, take opportunities to point to Jesus for something He’s done for you recently. Tell your friend about a recent healing, an unexpected provision, or a restored relationship. Talk about the little miracles He has done in your life, then punctuation your joy with a “thank you” to Jesus.
God most certainly deserves every ounce of praise we give Him. Therefore, bragging on God’s kindness should be something we do on the regular. But in sharing those miracles with the lost around you, you show them the joy and peace and goodness that comes with a life transformed by Jesus. Who then wouldn’t want that same joy, peace, and goodness for themselves, too?
An old pastor used to say at the end of every Sunday service, “This week, tell someone what Jesus has done for you.” That’s a great piece of instruction for any believer.
Related: Get More Tips for Sharing Your Faith From the Billy Graham Evangelical Association
KNOW IMPORTANT VERSES OF SCRIPTURE
While it’s great to live out our faith and give Him all the praise, we can’t just act differently and expect people to understand the gospel and give their lives to the Lord. Speaking the truth about the gospel from Scripture itself must accompany our actions. Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
So when you finally have the opportunity to tell your friend the gospel, what verses are the best to share? It may be easiest to look to what’s known as the “Romans Road.” Keep the passages in notes on your smartphone. Maybe tuck them away in your purse, briefcase or car. Or better yet, commit them to memory.
- “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
- “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
- “But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
- “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.” Romans 10:9-10
- “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13
Friend, as 1 Peter 3:15 says, always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that is in you. That hope comes straight from the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ.
Related: Three Reasons Why Apologetics is Important to Believers
