It’s time. Time to minister the gospel to a lost world. Time to not only speak out for change in our nation but to bring change through the greatest transforming power of all time. It’s time to step up our game in the area of evangelism. Most people want to bring people to the Lord, but fear and intimidation keep them from knowing where to even start. That’s why we’re sharing seven surprisingly simple ways to evangelise that have been taught by our own Riley Stephenson at KCM Evangelism Training events and are now available to you!
The word of the Lord through Brother Copeland is that 2021 is the Year of the Local Church. We, as the Church, are being called to rise up and be the Church in the world. That involves many different things, but bringing people to Jesus and teaching them about their identity in Christ is always at the heart.
We, the Body of Christ, make up the local church. It is our job to be the change—not our pastors, ministers or elders. Some people say, “I don’t have the gift of evangelism.” But according to KCM’s minister of evangelism, Riley Stephenson, there is no such gift recorded in the Bible. Of this he says, “It’s not your pastor’s job to fill the empty seats in your church. It’s not your pastor’s job to reach your city. It’s yours.”
1. Speak to the Spirit of a Person
“For the word of God is living and powerful…even to the division of soul and spirit.” –Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)
When we evangelise, we call it “winning souls,” but the Word of God divides between soul and spirit. It isn’t the soul that is redeemed; it is the spirit of a man. When we speak the Word of God to people, we’re speaking to their spirit man and exposing their innermost thoughts and desires.
That’s why Riley says, “We don’t need to tell people they’re going to hell. They know that.” Instead, he says when we speak the Word of God to them, it will not return void because faith comes by hearing the Word of God. So, we share the Word with them, and the Word will do the work for us. And that is a surprisingly simple way to evangelise!
2. Just Talk—Don’t Debate
“Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticise you.” –Philippians 2:14-15
Many people are intimidated by the idea that evangelising may involve some level of debate, but here’s the surprisingly simple truth: We are called to reap a harvest of people’s souls (Mark 16:15)—not debate with other religions or even other Christian denominations.
Many believers feel it’s their responsibility to “defend the Lord” when they’re witnessing. But our job is simply to give out His Word and to allow the Word to do the work. Remember, His Word is His power (Romans 1:16). Going beyond that by arguing and debating is a distraction and a time waster, and it should be avoided. So, don’t debate! Just share the truth in love.
Watch Riley Stephenson teach you how to overcome the fear of rejection when you evangelise.
3. Choose the Right Time
“Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken at the right time.” –Proverbs 25:11 (AMP)
When people are working or obviously in the middle of something that requires their full attention is not the time to start sharing the gospel. That will only frustrate people and turn them off to your message. To be effective, be sure to choose good timing. Choosing the right timing is a surprisingly simple way to evangelise effectively. However, even when people seem available, purpose to make it short and sweet. The steps in Riley Stephenson’s soul winning card take less than three minutes.
4. Avoid Using Christian Jargon
“I will give you the words I want you to say.” –Isaiah 51:16 (NCV)
When witnessing to the unsaved, it’s important not to speak “Christianese.” In other words, using a lot of words that are familiar only in Christian circles, or using too many Christian “catch phrases” is almost like speaking a foreign language to those with whom you are sharing!
The unsaved have difficulty enough understanding or discerning these things without confusing them with words like “hallelujah,” or “I’m saved and sanctified,” or “I’m redeemed.” However, the Spirit of God can minister life to them if we’ll keep our message very simple and direct, don’t use Christian jargon, and deliver it with compassion instead of in a “preachy” way. Speak simply—for both your sake and theirs.
5. Leave Something in Their Hands
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel.” –Mark 16:15 (NKJV)
Giving someone something that will do the talking for you is as simple as it gets. It’s a good idea to leave a tract of some kind with people that they can read later. You can keep them in your car, wallet or purse. Remember, a tract is not a substitute for sharing the good news personally and praying the prayer of salvation with others. Nevertheless, it is an important tool to use when we evangelise.
There will be times when you will not be able to share what’s on the pocket card or pray with the person. For example, you might catch a businessperson on his or her way to a meeting. In a case like that, it’s wonderful to be able to leave something in their hands and say, “Read this when you get a chance.”
6. Be Friendly and Smile!
“A man who has friends must himself be friendly.” –Proverbs 18:24 (NKJV)
It doesn’t get much simpler than smiling! Being friendly and approachable will attract people to what you have to share. So, have fun sharing the Word of God with others! After all, it’s not you saving the person or doing the work. God’s Word is His power, and He does the work. Your only job is to share God’s Word and pray. God will do the rest—transforming people’s hearts from darkness to light!
People will not be open to you or your message if you are unfriendly toward them. So determine to be friendly and smile, and allow the joy of Jesus to shine from your heart outward to others. Your joy will be contagious and difficult to resist!
7. Pray
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me.” –Acts 1:8 (KJV)
The key to evangelising is not good preaching—it is PRAYER. The disciples never asked Jesus to teach them how to preach—they asked Him to teach them how to PRAY. They knew that’s how He activated His power. You can do the same.
Activating the power of the Holy Spirit to win souls will make your efforts surprisingly simple. After all, He can accomplish far more than we ever could on our own!
To do this, spend time meditating on God’s Word and in intercessory prayer for those to whom you will minister. These steps will bring about boldness in your witnessing. Plus, you won’t lack for words when you’ve filled your heart with the Word and prepared the other man’s heart by interceding and pulling down strongholds that would blind his mind (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
If the Word is in you, it will make a way out. The Bible says to take no thought of how or what thing you will answer or what you will say, because the Holy Spirit will teach you in the same hour what you should say. As you acquire a thorough knowledge of God’s Word, then your Helper and Teacher, the Holy Spirit, will bring all things to your remembrance when you need it.
When we rise up as the local church and determine that we will fulfil the Great Commission, these seven surprisingly simple ways to evangelise will be important tools as some navigate evangelism for the first time. We can make a great change in the world around us if each one will reach one with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Year of the Local Church is here!
Watch Riley Stephenson teach you how to minister to your family.
