Five Simple Steps to Share Jesus

We fail to share Jesus because we don’t try.

We don’t try because it feels complicated.

And it feels complicated because sometimes it is—but it doesn’t have to be.

What if it was simpler than you think?

I want to help you.

The Bible can be somewhat confusing on how to share our faith. For instance, take these two verses:

1 Peter 3:15 says: “Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”

Matthew 10:19, Jesus says: “Do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.”

So… which is it? Prepare ahead of time, or trust God to give you the words in the moment?

That tension reveals a common misconception: it seems like we either just jump “all gas, no brakes,” or we wait patiently to complete a degree in evangelism before we go. Yet neither is what Jesus modeled or taught.

At the end of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus says simply: “Go.”

He sent out the twelve, then the seventy-two—with hardly any training. Why? Not because He did not value training—He called them disciples, those who learn from the master. He told them to GO because you learn best by going. You don't learn by preparing alone, you learn by going.

You can start sharing your faith today in 5 simple steps: Pray, Approach, Conversation, Jesus, Listen. Once you do this, are you done? No, you get to spend your whole life preparing to give an account. But you…

…learn best by going.

Start with Prayer

Sharing your faith begins with listening—to Jesus and asking for His help. Start a regular habit of praying that He would show you one person He wants you to witness to. Jesus in Luke 10:2 says, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

You can pray in your neighborhood, before walking into work, before your child’s game—anywhere you’re around people. There are two parts to this. One, God wants to help you, so why not ask Him to? The second is that as we pray regularly, it helps us begin to have a missionary mindset.

I love to garden, and I hate weeds. It is kinda crazy yet once pulling weed became a part of me, I see and want to pull weeds in everyone’s yard. Once I start paying for opportunities to share my faith I start to see the opportunities.   

Prayer is a spiritual discipline that changes our mind to be more like God’s mind—one who loved the world enough to die for them. May we all carry even half a percent of that mindset. Prayer is your first step forward toward that.

Here’s a simple prayer, or use your own:

“Dear Jesus, thank You for calling me to go and share my faith. I want to answer that call, but I’m unsure who You’re leading me to. Would You show me that person and give me the right words to say? Holy Spirit, use me for Your glory. Amen.”

Approach: Be Present and Take a Step

“Jesus can do more through two people talking than two people ignoring each other.” —Greg Finke, Joining Jesus on His Mission

Researchers have found there is something about an open palm being shown that imparts a feeling you are a peaceful person. This makes perfect sense when you think about what a closed fist can do. So what if your first move toward someone was just to wave—aka show them your open palm?

When I lived in New York, I was struck by how apathetic people seemed about others. I remember waiting in a grocery aisle, completely blocked, while no one noticed or cared. My wife and I quickly decided we didn’t want to live that way. So we chose to be intentionally friendly, and we started by being the odd neighbors who waved at everyone.

Yet why stop there? Walk up, say hello, share names, find a way to serve them in a little way. For some, this is the hardest part. Try this in your neighborhood, at work, at your kids’ sports, or school. Basically, the mission field is where people are.

You don't need to feel the pressure to force a Jesus conversation. Just be yourself. If Jesus comes up naturally, great. But for now, focus on connection.

Conversation: Go Deeper, Naturally

There have been a lot of people who have noted that we as Americans have lost the ability to have deep, meaningful conversations. I generally agree, but I believe this is something we can relearn. Here is your entry point into this pursuit.

When forming deeper relationships, start with small talk (weather, work, kids), then ask slightly deeper questions to build trust. These kinds of questions communicate interest and care:

Work & Purpose 

• What do you enjoy most about what you do?

• If you could do anything—no limits—how would you spend your time?

  
  

Family & Relationships

• How often do you get to see your family? Is that enough for you?

• Who’s someone who really shaped who you are today?

  
  

Life Rhythm & Values

• What does a really good day look like for you?

• What helps you recharge when life gets overwhelming?

  
  

Hopes & Struggles

• What’s something you’re looking forward to this year?

• What’s something that’s been tough lately?

  
  

Beliefs & Worldview

• Do you ever think about things like faith or purpose?

• When life gets hard, what helps you stay grounded?

  
  

These kinds of questions don’t force faith conversations—they make room for them.

In college at Oklahoma State, I had my first real experience building relationships with people outside the Christian faith. As an RA, I got to know a resident who was an ex-Catholic and gay, and who felt rejected by both his church and family. We had many honest conversations. I didn’t shy away from the truth, but I also listened and cared about his story. Before I left, he wrote me a note thanking me. He said that because of how I treated him, he was considering returning to church.

When we truly seek to understand people, the love of Christ shows through us. Care about the person first by creating a safe place for meaningful conversation.

Jesus: Let Him Come Up Naturally

Would you walk up to a person you had never met and ask them their greatest health challenge, biggest loss, or deepest regret? I would hope not. We have to understand that for many, faith is on that level of depth.

Yet when you open the door for deeper conversations, Jesus comes up. Why? Because once someone learns that you are a safe person to talk to, you can have conversations on that deeper level.

I am convinced that in a world that cancels, judges, and argues, people actually do want to talk about meaningful things—they are just afraid to do it. What opportunities might be there if people knew you were a safe person to share with?

Would they share their faith or their struggles with God?

When faith does come up—and it will:

• Ask them what they believe.

• Learn about their faith background.

• Listen well.

Then be ready to share what you believe. Share Jesus.

This is where I would encourage you to prepare just a little bit. Write your Jesus witness down on paper. Here is kind of the basis for my witness, but I change it a little every time based on what I know about my friend:

I love to achieve and work hard, but I’ve learned I can’t work hard enough to make my life valuable. I’m so grateful that through Jesus, I know I’m already valuable—apart from anything I do. I am valuable because He loved me enough to die on the cross for me.” Don’t copy that exactly. Make it your own. Keep it short. Make it personal. Get to the gospel: “Jesus saves me. Jesus gives me value. Jesus loves me. Jesus rose for me.”

Once you write it down, practice it with another Christian. Sometimes it is hard to share our faith out there because we don't share in the church. Ask a Christian friend to hear your witness and give you feedback.

Jesus comes up in some unexpected ways. A Jewish friend asked about a print in our home—Caravaggio’s Calling of St. Matthew. I explained how Matthew was a hated tax collector, yet Jesus chose him anyway. It’s a reminder that Jesus loves and calls us, even when we fall short.

Yes, a painting opened the door to share my faith—but it was hours of deep, enjoyable conversation beforehand that allowed that person to hear it and eventually attend church with me.

Listen: Focus on Them

So after you share Jesus, focus on the person. If they seem uncomfortable or change the subject, respect that. Use some emotional intelligence here to examine what you see going on in their life.

Let me give you some grace. If they ask a question you can’t answer, say: “I don’t have a great answer right now—can we talk again sometime?”

Then follow up. Ask a friend or pastor for help.

Part of your goal in witnessing is to get to the point where you can't answer the question—that is the only way you grow. And in fact, sometimes the greatest way you embody your faith is by saying, “I don't have all the answers, but I still believe.”

When you can’t answer a question, that means you are ready for Part 2. And this is the lifelong adventure I want to invite you on. Yet you only go there if you start now. TODAY.  

You are ready. Let’s go.

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