20 Tips for Sharing Your Faith

1. Pray. Ask God for wisdom, timing and opportunities. Make a list of the friends you know who don't know Christ. (James 1:5-6).
2. Become familiar with the Bible. "The mind of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning and persuasiveness to his lips." (Proverbs 16:23)
3. Know what you want to say ahead of time if you are planning on talking to someone about God. "but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence" (1 Peter 3:15)

a. What your life was like before Christ?
b. How did you come to know Jesus?
c. What's your life like now?

4. Ask questions. This can be a great way of starting a discussion about a person's spirituality. Perhaps you could ask them what they think about God. Does God exist? Etc.
5. Find common ground with the person. "Whatever a person is like, try to find common ground with him, so that he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him" (1 Corinthians 9:22)
6. Model Christian behavior in whatever you do. It's hard to tell somebody at school about Jesus when you just cut them off in the parking lot.
7. Build relationships. Somebody is more likely to share their hurts, struggles and fears with somebody they can trust than a pushy stranger.
8. Earn the right to be heard. Sincerely listen to others.
9. Go easy on the jargon. Words that are important to you as a Christian like, Eucharist, sanctified, Spirit-filled, and testimony, are all words that have been misunderstood and as a result, ridiculed by the rest of the world. Avoid the trap of Christian-ese. Also, don't use words like tell. Use words like share.
10. Reflect God's love and grace. You may be the only Jesus somebody ever sees. Represent Him well.
11. Relax. Be sincere. Be yourself. Don't be afraid to let people see you are human.
12. Get to know the background of whom you are talking to. If your goal is to reach Jehovah's Witnesses who come to your door, understand where they are coming from and what they believe. You can bet they have researched what you believe.
13. Ask the question, "Who do you say Jesus is?" This is the most important question someone can answer. Remember, you are presenting the person of Jesus when we share our faith--not a formula.
14. Practice. By yourself or with a close friend or mom and dad.
15. Try to keep your story to 3 minutes or less.
16. Actions speak louder than words. Don't just invite somebody to church. Ask them if you can pick them up.
17. Look for events you can bring friends to. Not just church, but concerts too.
18. Be Patient. Realize that sometimes you can only plant a seed. Share your faith with a sense of urgency, but understand that only God can truly change someone's heart.
19. Stress the love of God. God is just, but he is loving.
20. Get to know God yourself. Are you really seeking God and growing in your relationship with him? If not, you have nothing to share.

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