Talk about Jesus without Freaking Out

What is the gospel?

An ex-Christian friend of mine turned to me and said

“Chris, what is the gospel?”

Excitement bubbled up within me.  I’m an evangelist and this conversation was near and dear to my heart.  However, I got too excited.

The end result was confusing half thoughts, and verbal commas: “bluh, bluh, um, uh, it’s ah, hum”

My explanation of the gospel was clear as mud.  I left my friend more confused than satisfied.

You want me to do what?

Other people may have a paralyzing fear when they are asked a simple question like that.  In my evangelism training workshops I will often ask people to share the gospel one with another.

In that little command, the tension in the room rises high.  People stare at me like I just broadsided them.  But they turn to their neighbor and try to explain the gospel.

The general response: Confusion, panic, freaking out, because they suddenly realize that they can’t wing it.

For years, they thought they could explain the gospel but given a moment (even in a workshop) to do so, they stumble over their own words and realize they don’t know how.

Share Jesus without Freaking Out.

Let me give you some principles that can help you.

1.  Make sure that your relationship with God is going well.

Have an active prayer life. Pray about who He would like you to talk to, and ask Him to bring people into your path to talk to about Him. Have an evangelistic prayer list of people you are praying for

Fast as you seek God’s direction.

2. Practice kindness to others you encounter in your daily life.

Take the time to notice people around you and be aware of the people you run into while “on your way.”  Read The Art of Noticing People.

3.  Listen

Take the time to learn the stories of the people you want to talk to about Jesus.

Use Questions.  Read What is the Question Behind the Question?

Ask them questions about their lives and listen actively as they talk. Show genuine interest in them as people.

4. Share stories of God’s work in your life

After you learn about others, tell them about your life.

Then share the story of how and why you began a relationship with Christ and how that relationship has made a difference in your life.

You may want to outline your personal testimony, then edit into text that will take you only about three minutes to present.

Read: 8 steps to using your personal testimony

5.  Share the gospel story

Then share God’s story with people by presenting His plan of salvation using key Scripture verses that address:

• people admitting that they have problems that separate them from God (sin),
• believing that Jesus is the Son of God
• confessing that they believe and
• trust Jesus to connect them to God.

Try to present the gospel as clearly as possible, giving people enough information to enable them to make informed choices when they respond.

Using Gospel Scripts is helpful.

Adapted from How to Talk About Jesus without Freaking Out with Study Guide.  Order your copy from Amazon

Your thoughts

What are some tips that you have found helpful in being able to talk about your faith and the gospel clearly and simply, without freaking out?  Share with us.