In our personal devotionals or at church, we can easily express our love for God. But we often feel embarrassed, scared, or uncertain about sharing our beliefs with others. How can we live with integrity as disciples when we struggle to tell people about Jesus?
In our personal devotionals or at church, we can easily express our love for God. But we often feel embarrassed, scared, or uncertain about sharing our beliefs with others. How can we live with integrity as disciples when we struggle to tell people about Jesus?
To develop an authentic, faithful approach to witness that honors God and builds trust.
At one family gathering, someone joked, "Evangelical Christians are America's version of the Taliban."
I was stunned. Did they think that I and my family were somehow like a terrorist organization? Their statement was so shocking that I didn't respond.
In your circumstances, have you ever felt like hiding your faith?
How many of us are living as secret Christians?
Do we change how we live based on whether we're at church, work, visiting family, or walking around our neighborhoods? We want to tell people about Jesus, but we're afraid of damaging relationships, losing opportunities, or facing pushback.
A few years ago I heard a passionate and convicting sermon on evangelism. The pastor clarified the stakes: Our evangelistic efforts would determine if our family and friends go to heaven or hell. By the end of the sermon, we felt convicted to proclaim the gospel! But sadly, none of us gained any insights on how to do this.
But the larger the gap grows between obligation and obedience, the more shame and guilt we feel. We keep judging ourselves, "If I really loved Jesus, I'd tell others about him, but I didn't."
Over time, unaddressed shame can disrupt our sense of identity. Instead of experiencing ourselves as disciples of Jesus, we feel more attached to our professional titles, socioeconomic status, or network.
I'm grateful that not everyone in the Bible managed to live with such courage. Moses tried to avoid God sending him to Pharaoh. He even said, "Please, Lord, send someone else" (Exodus 4:13). The prophet Jeremiah tells us that he tried to stop prophesying. The apostle Peter famously denied Jesus three times.
But my favorite story is about the prophet Jonah. At no point in the book does he appear to cooperate with God. Nevertheless, God used his most reluctant prophet to bring salvation to Nineveh!
If we acknowledge our struggles, and see that God's people have always contended with the same issues, then perhaps we can approach evangelism in a more vulnerable and open-hearted way.
The first and greatest challenge is to acknowledge that Jesus' example makes it clear that there is no way to witness without sacrifice. His family said that he was out of his mind, religious leaders called him demon-possessed, and he was mocked, humiliated, and crucified.
So let's consider some of the wise ways that Jesus engaged with people:
**Jesus Prayed.** Before he started his ministry, Jesus got alone to pray in the early morning.
**Jesus Set A Faithful Example.** His integrity was the essential foundation of his message.
**Jesus Built Community.** "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35).
**Jesus Asked Questions.** "Who do you say that I am?" "What do you want me to do for you?" "Do you want to get well?"
**Jesus Engaged Skeptics.** When Thomas doubted the resurrection, Jesus provided evidence.
**Jesus Built Relationships.** Jesus went to dinners with tax collectors and sinners. He seemed to enjoy getting to know disreputable people.
Instead of coming to our family and friends with an agenda, let's ask God to show us how to love them. We're not sitting above unbelievers, dropping gospel bombs on their heads. We're walking side-by-side with people we love and like.
Ultimately, the cost of an authentic witness is less than the cost of living a divided life. It takes a lot of energy to maintain multiple identities.
Johnny Cash's iconic song "The Man in Black" explains why he wore his signature black outfit on tour.
What's one distinctive way you could call attention to Jesus and his care for those who suffer?
Finally, all of you be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another, and be compassionate and humble, not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing... Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear them or be intimidated, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. Yet do this with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience.
In your own words, write down what it would look like for a church to put all of Peter's guidance into practice.
Peter says that when this community of Christians suffers for righteousness, they are 'blessed.' Meditate on this paradox.
This passage is often used to justify extensive apologetic study. What do you see Peter emphasizing?
What does it look like to demonstrate 'gentleness and respect' in talking about Christ the Lord?
Heavenly Father, I am sorry for keeping silent when I should have spoken up. I cared more about protecting my reputation than honoring you. Help me to find my identity in your love rather than in others' approval.
Jesus, you are the Lord of my life. I know you faced the ultimate test, yet remained faithful. Reassure my heart that you are eager to forgive me when I act like Peter, and deny that I know you. Help me to live with a clear conscience and a holy life.
Holy Spirit, you provide all the power for effective witness! Free me from the pressure to perform. Unite me and my brothers and sisters in Christ, so that we might love each other, and our community, in a way that makes people curious. Give us wisdom, joy, and courage that our lives might be a testimony to your goodness.
What does it mean to 'share the gospel' with someone?
Complete this sentence: 'I struggle to share my faith because...'
Are we prepared to help a friend investigate, challenge, and ultimately, decide to become a Christian? If not, what do we need to do to become prepared?
What would it look like for our community to love each other in a way that reminds people of Jesus?
How has shame about your witness (or lack thereof) affected your relationship with God?
What's one false belief about evangelism that you want to discard?
How does the Lordship of Jesus change your approach to evangelism?
Identify one relationship where you've been hiding your faith. What's one question you could ask to open up a conversation?
Identify one relationship where you don't know what someone else believes. What's one question you could ask to learn about their life convictions?
How will you integrate witness into your Life Plan?
What support do you need from your community to follow Jesus with integrity?
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