12 Ways to Share Your Faith with Non-Believers
1. Ask others: "Can I share some Good News with you?"
This method of sharing Christ requires you to first get a gospel tract. They are available at any Christian bookstore, on-line, and at San Diego Bible Church (SDBC). Just make sure you use “friendly” tracts, not those that attack someone’s faith or religion.
Let’s face it, everyone can use some GOOD NEWS and as Christians there is no better news than the fact that God loves you, me and the person you would like to see come to Christ. The key to this technique is to ask the question…”Can I share some Good News with you”? I bet no one will ever tell you no! Wait for the person to say yes, or beg you for some Good News and hand them your tract. Even better, you can email them the Good News video directly from our website. Tell them how this GOOD NEWS changed your life and ask them to let you know what they think of the information after they read it or watch it.
When using Gospel tracts, remember these simple tips:
• Pray for the person before offering the Good News, regardless of the method you use.
• Read through a printed tract ahead of time. Know when to stop and ask a question and when to pause to let him/her think
about it. Most tracts are self-explanatory, be sure to read it first.
Here are a few really good tracts you might try…
May I Ask You A Question? by EvanTell, Inc
Have You Heard of the Four Spiritual Laws? by NewLife Publications
The Long Trip by Chick Publications
Good News by NewLife Publication
Steps to Peace with God by World Wide Publication
Let’s face it, everyone can use some GOOD NEWS and as Christians there is no better news than the fact that God loves you, me and the person you would like to see come to Christ. The key to this technique is to ask the question…”Can I share some Good News with you”? I bet no one will ever tell you no! Wait for the person to say yes, or beg you for some Good News and hand them your tract. Even better, you can email them the Good News video directly from our website. Tell them how this GOOD NEWS changed your life and ask them to let you know what they think of the information after they read it or watch it.
When using Gospel tracts, remember these simple tips:
• Pray for the person before offering the Good News, regardless of the method you use.
• Read through a printed tract ahead of time. Know when to stop and ask a question and when to pause to let him/her think
about it. Most tracts are self-explanatory, be sure to read it first.
Here are a few really good tracts you might try…
May I Ask You A Question? by EvanTell, Inc
Have You Heard of the Four Spiritual Laws? by NewLife Publications
The Long Trip by Chick Publications
Good News by NewLife Publication
Steps to Peace with God by World Wide Publication
2. Bring your friends to SDBC!
This may seem obvious, but survey after survey has shown most non-believers would go to church, if someone would just ask them. Invite your friends and family to a potluck, an outreach event, an outdoor event, or for Boot Camp during the 11AM Sunday service. Invite them to your home fellowship AND OF COURSE INVITE THEM TO A SUNDAY SERVICE. Offer to pick them up and consider taking them out to lunch. Invite other people so they can get connected at SDBC. This is so simple to do, it just takes a desire to be intentional and a heart to please Jesus!
3. Share Christian music, books and sermons
With all the crazy stuff happening in our world right now, people are starving for hope, for peace, and for answers. Consider giving your friends a sermon from Sunday that might minister to them, offer them a book by solid proven Christian authors or give them a favorite Christian CD. God uses many ways to reach people who are hungry and He is looking for a few good men or women to share the love of Jesus in a tangible way. Match the gift to the person's need. Ask God for insight here and expect His direction as you seek to be obedient to Him. He listens and He answers!
4. Use Gospel tracts or church invitations anonymously
You can leave tracts or invitations to join SDBC for a Sunday service anywhere you go. You can hand them out to someone personally or just leave them where someone is likely to read the information. Be creative and have fun with this one.
Tracts do get results:
• In Chile, a young mother came to Christ after reading a tract from a missionary.
• A man was born again in his prison cell after reading a tract handed to him by one of the guards.
• A soviet paratrooper was going to use a tract to light a fire, but read the tract instead and accepted Christ.
• Scott Thomason (A personal friend of Pastor Steve Brown) received Christ as a child by reading an animated gospel tract that
someone had left on top of a gumball machine in a grocery store. He thought he was getting away with stealing a miniature
comic book and found Jesus instead!
Please do NOT ever use negative tracts that bash someone’s religion. Remember, we are to always share our faith with gentleness and respect.
Tracts do get results:
• In Chile, a young mother came to Christ after reading a tract from a missionary.
• A man was born again in his prison cell after reading a tract handed to him by one of the guards.
• A soviet paratrooper was going to use a tract to light a fire, but read the tract instead and accepted Christ.
• Scott Thomason (A personal friend of Pastor Steve Brown) received Christ as a child by reading an animated gospel tract that
someone had left on top of a gumball machine in a grocery store. He thought he was getting away with stealing a miniature
comic book and found Jesus instead!
Please do NOT ever use negative tracts that bash someone’s religion. Remember, we are to always share our faith with gentleness and respect.
5. Focus on friendship evangelism
Watch for God’s timing on when to talk about spiritual things to non-believers and use any of the techniques listed here:
• Focus on common interests and concerns in your communications back and forth.
• Share your love for Jesus and how he changed your life.
• Don’t bail on the friendship just because they believe something totally different than you do, just keep loving them.
• Pray constantly for the person you are seeking or have a new friendship with.
• Test their spiritual openness by asking what they believe spiritually and listen intently to what they have to say respecting
any boundaries they may have about this subject.
• Stay alert for God’s opportunities…He will give them to you!
• Focus on common interests and concerns in your communications back and forth.
• Share your love for Jesus and how he changed your life.
• Don’t bail on the friendship just because they believe something totally different than you do, just keep loving them.
• Pray constantly for the person you are seeking or have a new friendship with.
• Test their spiritual openness by asking what they believe spiritually and listen intently to what they have to say respecting
any boundaries they may have about this subject.
• Stay alert for God’s opportunities…He will give them to you!
6. Pursue workplace evangelism
Begin this method by praying specifically for the salvation of at least two people you have regular contact with either inside or outside your office. As you are building a quality relationship them, look for ways to serve and meet their needs.
When God opens a door or the right timing off company time, ask them questions such as…"Do you have an interest in spiritual things?” Do you have any special family traditions?” “Tell me about your family,” or “How are things going at home?” And when the season is appropriate, “How do you celebrate Christmas, Easter, etc.?
Listen carefully for the opportunity to carry the conversation deeper looking to talk about their beliefs. Be a good listener and patiently wait for them to ask you something like, “So what about you or your beliefs?” Because you have listened well, the door is open to share your faith, your beliefs and your testimony with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15)
Specific tips as an Employer
• Always pray for your employees, especially for those whom God has given you a burden.
• Never be a threat or intimidate your employees. (Ephesians 6:9).
• Grant justice and fairness (Colossians 4:1). Remember, in the sight of the Lord, employers are treated no differently than
employees.
• Build up employees with encouragement. Look for ways to affirm them.
• If you operate your business with godly principles, share that with prospective employees. Be sure you tell them if you run
your business for Jesus and what that means to you personally. Remember, do not discriminate when hiring.
Specific tips as an Employee:
• Be obedient to your employer. Do what you are called to do: “A day’s pay for a day’s work!” When sharing the gospel, do so on
your own time, i.e. lunch or after work.
• Seek to be the best employee your boss ever hired.
• Be especially mindful of religious holidays for unique opportunities to initiate conversation with others and invite them to a
service.
• Respect your employer. You are under his/her authority.
• Watch your witness. Do not gossip, lie, or demean others. People are always watching, especially on your bad days!
• Learn to be an encourager seeking to be a light in this dark world.
• Be sincere of heart (Colossians 3:22). Work as if you are working for the Lord.
When God opens a door or the right timing off company time, ask them questions such as…"Do you have an interest in spiritual things?” Do you have any special family traditions?” “Tell me about your family,” or “How are things going at home?” And when the season is appropriate, “How do you celebrate Christmas, Easter, etc.?
Listen carefully for the opportunity to carry the conversation deeper looking to talk about their beliefs. Be a good listener and patiently wait for them to ask you something like, “So what about you or your beliefs?” Because you have listened well, the door is open to share your faith, your beliefs and your testimony with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15)
Specific tips as an Employer
• Always pray for your employees, especially for those whom God has given you a burden.
• Never be a threat or intimidate your employees. (Ephesians 6:9).
• Grant justice and fairness (Colossians 4:1). Remember, in the sight of the Lord, employers are treated no differently than
employees.
• Build up employees with encouragement. Look for ways to affirm them.
• If you operate your business with godly principles, share that with prospective employees. Be sure you tell them if you run
your business for Jesus and what that means to you personally. Remember, do not discriminate when hiring.
Specific tips as an Employee:
• Be obedient to your employer. Do what you are called to do: “A day’s pay for a day’s work!” When sharing the gospel, do so on
your own time, i.e. lunch or after work.
• Seek to be the best employee your boss ever hired.
• Be especially mindful of religious holidays for unique opportunities to initiate conversation with others and invite them to a
service.
• Respect your employer. You are under his/her authority.
• Watch your witness. Do not gossip, lie, or demean others. People are always watching, especially on your bad days!
• Learn to be an encourager seeking to be a light in this dark world.
• Be sincere of heart (Colossians 3:22). Work as if you are working for the Lord.
7. Connect by praying for others
Even non-believers welcome prayer, especially those who will not allow you to speak about Jesus. Even hard-hearted people will allow you to pray for them. Initially they may not care if you pray for them or not, but when times get tough , don’t be surprised when they seek you out for prayer. Begin by asking someone this question after you explain the burden God has given you to pray for others…”How can I pray for you?”
• Be faithful to pray for their requests and check in occasionally to see how they are doing in the area you are praying about
• Follow-up with them…Specifically ask, “How’s _____ doing? I’ve been praying for you. Is there anything else I can pray for you
about?
• Make sure you point them to Jesus as the author of any answered prayer.
• Continue to “test the seed” by inviting them to special evangelistic events or church services.
Who can you start this technique with?
Additional Resource: Praying for You by Howard Tryon
• Be faithful to pray for their requests and check in occasionally to see how they are doing in the area you are praying about
• Follow-up with them…Specifically ask, “How’s _____ doing? I’ve been praying for you. Is there anything else I can pray for you
about?
• Make sure you point them to Jesus as the author of any answered prayer.
• Continue to “test the seed” by inviting them to special evangelistic events or church services.
Who can you start this technique with?
Additional Resource: Praying for You by Howard Tryon
8. Share the Roman's Road
Ever wish you could remember or quote Scripture on how to get saved? Mark your Bible in the book of Romans. Better yet, memorize the Scriptures below. It spells out the reason we need a Savior and what happens when in trust in Jesus by faith alone.
Romans 3:23:"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 5:8: "But, God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 10:9:"That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you
shall be saved."
Romans 8:1: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
The Romans Road shares both the good news and the bad news:
The bad news:
• No one is perfect; we are all sinners. (Romans 3:23)
• The result of our imperfection is eternal separation from God. (Romans 6:23)
The good news:
• God knew we could not save ourselves, yet because of His great love for us, He died in our place. (Romans 5:8)
• We can receive eternal life with God by believing when we pray and ask Him to be our Lord and Savior. (Romans 10:9,10)
• God then wipes away the penalty of our sin and does not condemn us for our sin. (Romans 8:1)
Tips
• Have the other person read the verses aloud from the Bible.
• Make a cheat sheet and memorize these verses so you can share the Word anytime and anyplace.
• Include your personal testimony and how these verses led you to a new life (relationship) with the living Lord.
Romans 3:23:"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 5:8: "But, God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 10:9:"That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you
shall be saved."
Romans 8:1: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
The Romans Road shares both the good news and the bad news:
The bad news:
• No one is perfect; we are all sinners. (Romans 3:23)
• The result of our imperfection is eternal separation from God. (Romans 6:23)
The good news:
• God knew we could not save ourselves, yet because of His great love for us, He died in our place. (Romans 5:8)
• We can receive eternal life with God by believing when we pray and ask Him to be our Lord and Savior. (Romans 10:9,10)
• God then wipes away the penalty of our sin and does not condemn us for our sin. (Romans 8:1)
Tips
• Have the other person read the verses aloud from the Bible.
• Make a cheat sheet and memorize these verses so you can share the Word anytime and anyplace.
• Include your personal testimony and how these verses led you to a new life (relationship) with the living Lord.
9. Recount your personal testimony
We are always to be prepared to give an account of the hope we have in Christ Jesus TO ANYONE WHO ASKS US, with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15) You can get anyone to let you share your personal testimony with them by following a few guidelines:
• Begin by asking someone “Have you ever had a spiritual experience”?
• Listen closely for their hidden need that a personal relationship with Christ can fill.
• Ask if you can share your spiritual experience in the area of their need.
• Share your testimony, making sure you adjust your personal experience with Christ to their hidden, but now exposed need.
Do’s and Dont's!
• No religion bashing, never talk about a denomination, stay focused on your personal relationship with Jesus.
• Avoid using any Christian buzz words.
• Don’t roll your eyes when listening to their experience no matter how crazy it might be, we are to be respectful!
• Don’t interrupt others when they are sharing…let them talk while you listen.
Remember: Share your testimony with gentleness and respect!
Share the following: Your past (sin) Your need (why) Your change (results)
• Begin by asking someone “Have you ever had a spiritual experience”?
• Listen closely for their hidden need that a personal relationship with Christ can fill.
• Ask if you can share your spiritual experience in the area of their need.
• Share your testimony, making sure you adjust your personal experience with Christ to their hidden, but now exposed need.
Do’s and Dont's!
• No religion bashing, never talk about a denomination, stay focused on your personal relationship with Jesus.
• Avoid using any Christian buzz words.
• Don’t roll your eyes when listening to their experience no matter how crazy it might be, we are to be respectful!
• Don’t interrupt others when they are sharing…let them talk while you listen.
Remember: Share your testimony with gentleness and respect!
Share the following: Your past (sin) Your need (why) Your change (results)
10. Use the "Chocolate Chip Cookie" Illustration
First, ask these questions, taking notes along the way.
“How does someone become a Christian?”
“How does someone get into heaven in your view”?
“If we were to make a recipe of what a Christian looked like, what would be the ingredients”?
Now ask for the ingredients of a chocolate chip cookie and write them down:
Your paper should look something like this when you are done…
CHRISTIAN
Goes to church, gives money, does good works, has a Bible, reads the Bible, prays, knows about God, knows Jesus, wears a cross
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE
chocolate chips, eggs, flour, milk, butter, sugar, brown sugar, shortening, pan, oven, heat
Here comes the fun part: I have yet heard anyone say “Faith in Jesus” as the means or necessary ingredient for becoming a Christian and getting into heaven. Faith is a nice ingredient of a Christian (if they mention faith), however faith must have an object (Jesus). I usually point out how good they did in getting the MAIN ingredient right in our cookie recipe (Chocolate Chips), because without this item you won’t have a chocolate chip cookie!
Now comes the AH HAH moment: When someone understands the importance of chocolate chips for making a cookie of its namesake, they will see the importance of faith in Jesus as the ONE THING you MUST HAVE if you want to get into heaven…If it’s not on the list for a Christian, then they totally missed the mark! Watch the light bulb go off when you share (Ephesians 2:8-9) at this point.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast."
REMEMBER: It’s not what’s on the outside that makes a Christian, it’s who is in the inside (Jesus).
"He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life." (1John 5:12-13)
“How does someone become a Christian?”
“How does someone get into heaven in your view”?
“If we were to make a recipe of what a Christian looked like, what would be the ingredients”?
Now ask for the ingredients of a chocolate chip cookie and write them down:
Your paper should look something like this when you are done…
CHRISTIAN
Goes to church, gives money, does good works, has a Bible, reads the Bible, prays, knows about God, knows Jesus, wears a cross
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE
chocolate chips, eggs, flour, milk, butter, sugar, brown sugar, shortening, pan, oven, heat
Here comes the fun part: I have yet heard anyone say “Faith in Jesus” as the means or necessary ingredient for becoming a Christian and getting into heaven. Faith is a nice ingredient of a Christian (if they mention faith), however faith must have an object (Jesus). I usually point out how good they did in getting the MAIN ingredient right in our cookie recipe (Chocolate Chips), because without this item you won’t have a chocolate chip cookie!
Now comes the AH HAH moment: When someone understands the importance of chocolate chips for making a cookie of its namesake, they will see the importance of faith in Jesus as the ONE THING you MUST HAVE if you want to get into heaven…If it’s not on the list for a Christian, then they totally missed the mark! Watch the light bulb go off when you share (Ephesians 2:8-9) at this point.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast."
REMEMBER: It’s not what’s on the outside that makes a Christian, it’s who is in the inside (Jesus).
"He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life." (1John 5:12-13)
11. Give away a Bible as a gift
This is a real non-threatening way to share your faith with others. Take a new Bible and mark your favorite salvation verses with a highlighter pen.
• Include a card saying, “With Love, P.S. I marked a few of my favorite verses for you. Turn to page _______.” Don’t use a verse,
because most non-believers have no clue how to find the verse you want them to see, just give them the page number where
you have highlighted a verse.
• Be sure and mark “Good News” verses, so your intention is not misinterpreted.
• On the first page, put a note directing them to your next favorite passage on how to get saved. Remember to use a page
number.
• Continue to use post-it notes with page numbers written on them to help your friend navigate through the truth of God’s
salvation message.
• Don’t use too many verses (5 maximum), so your friend doesn’t tire of this exercise. Trust in God’s Word to do the work for
you, praying faithfully.
• Finally on the last verse, write a note to let them know you are praying for them. Ask them to let you know if they would like
to or have made a choice to trust in Christ Jesus alone for salvation.
• Include a card saying, “With Love, P.S. I marked a few of my favorite verses for you. Turn to page _______.” Don’t use a verse,
because most non-believers have no clue how to find the verse you want them to see, just give them the page number where
you have highlighted a verse.
• Be sure and mark “Good News” verses, so your intention is not misinterpreted.
• On the first page, put a note directing them to your next favorite passage on how to get saved. Remember to use a page
number.
• Continue to use post-it notes with page numbers written on them to help your friend navigate through the truth of God’s
salvation message.
• Don’t use too many verses (5 maximum), so your friend doesn’t tire of this exercise. Trust in God’s Word to do the work for
you, praying faithfully.
• Finally on the last verse, write a note to let them know you are praying for them. Ask them to let you know if they would like
to or have made a choice to trust in Christ Jesus alone for salvation.
12. Pray for God to use you
Never underestimate the power of prayer and the power of God to use YOU! Any of these methods will work, in fact they all work, as I have had the privilege of seeing many people come to Christ using these methods personally. Our greatest challenge is to actually take advantage of the opportunities God puts before us. He is the one who saves and the only thing we can do wrong is to do nothing!
Pray this prayer: ”Lord please use me to do your work, give me the strength and give me the words to say according to your Holy Spirit, Amen”.
Pray this prayer: ”Lord please use me to do your work, give me the strength and give me the words to say according to your Holy Spirit, Amen”.
