Do you want to share the gospel more frequently and more effectively?
Do you sometimes struggle with a lack of compassion or boldness?
The first half of this is funny and the second half is very helpful.
Use this great advice to find needy hearts and open doors.
It is taken from an interview with Pastor J.D. Greear
How do you initiate Gospel conversations with people you interact with on a daily basis (waitresses, etc)?
I look for subtle metaphors to bring in spiritual things. For example, when I hand a coupon to the lady at the supermarket register, I say, “How much did I save? Speaking of saving, have I mentioned that great eternal coupon offered to each of us?” Or, when buying clothes, I say, “Here are the shirts I choose to buy. I did not, however, choose them from the foundation of the world like I was chosen…” Or, when my barista hands me my cup of hot coffee each morning, I say, “Wow, that’s hot. Speaking of hot, how would you like to live in a scalding hot pot of coffee for all eternity?” Etc. People really seem to appreciate how aware I am of metaphors for their salvation.
Seriously, this is a good question, and I’d love to hear some other answers. Here are a few things I practice.
- I frequent the same places. People in our society don’t respond well to strangers, so I try to eat, drink coffee, buy gas, get my car worked on, and shop, etc at the same places. Relationship is not essential for evangelism, but it sure helps. At most of those places I mentioned people know me by name. Inevitably a chance comes up to pray for them, ask about their lives, invite them to church, etc. For example, several of the people from my local coffee shop have started to come to our church, and a few have become believers and gotten baptized. My mechanic has recently attended our church.
- Where relevant, I leave BIG tips. Especially if I know someone is having a bad day. I’ll jot a little note and tell them I’m praying for them.
- I ask people, sometimes, how I can pray for them. Most people don’t mind to be prayed for, and if they don’t want to talk, they answer shortly and I let it drop.
- I invite them to church. Over and over.
- When in a conversation, I use an acrostic I learned years ago to help guide the conversation. F- Family; I- interests; R- Religion; E – Evangelism. Yes, that can seem wooden, I know… but it can also help you move a conversation along. Sometimes in talking about religion I’ll say, “Do you feel like you have a relationship with God?” I get the most interesting responses back to that question. And usually, it provides me a chance to tell them my story… how I grew up in church but came to know God personally later. As I talk about how I came to know Christ, I make sure to give the Gospel along the way. People don’t like to be preached to, but they do like to be asked their opinions, and they do like to hear your story.