In today’s world, the use of technology is rampant, and now more than ever, people are using it to communicate. I even know of people who text words such as, “Good night. I am going to bed now,” to family members who are in nearby rooms of the house.
Whether we like it or not, it is becoming more and more important to learn how to reach people via an additional medium: the Internet. Some ways of going about that might appear somewhat obvious, for instance, reading blogs about evangelism. However, here are some more helpful ideas below.
Tips for Evangelism
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Be direct and to the point. People usually don’t spend a lot of time reading long articles, but they might take the time to read a short comment or post. (Admit it. Would you read all of this post if it contained heaps of mega-paragraphs? I even bet some of you are only skimming this one.)
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Be natural. Sometimes we are so eager to share the gospel that we write too abruptly and without good connecting words or thoughts. That is awkward enough in face-to-face conversations and even more so in written communications. When the gospel is presented abruptly, it can look like we were just waiting to pounce on someone. Learn to let your words about Christ flow naturally out of your heart and your daily life experiences.
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Beware of how you use controversial political topics to share the gospel. Nothing sparks more debates than religion and politics. There is a proper place and time to stand up for our political beliefs, but it needs to be done with care. We often appear harsh and judgmental when we criticize someone’s political view and then launch into asking someone to trust in Christ.
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Keep track of some of the news going on around the world. Non-Christians (and other Christians, too, for that matter) listen better when they see that we care about things that are happening outside of our immediate circles.
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Be careful of focusing too much on one person’s sinful actions. Sin should not be ignored, but make sure that you communicate that all of us are sinners.
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Stress grace over judgment. Yes, God is both merciful and just. However, many of us have stressed God’s judgment so much that his grace has been forgotten. A sinner is not saved by doing or not doing any specific deeds, but by grace alone.
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Consider writing a note about your own testimony and what Christ has done in your life on your Facebook profile or blog. (For tips on sharing your testimony, see EvanTell’s “3 Parts of an Effective Testimony”)
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Read blogs online of friends and/or strangers, and respond with the gospel when appropriate. Check out Examples of Good and Bad Online Evangelism.
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Post the “Good News Bad News” video on your own blog, Facebook, MySpace page, etc.
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Start a Facebook group or blog with your friends, small group, or Adult Bible Fellowship specifically for sharing testimonies and encouraging one another in evangelism.
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Pray for opportunities to witness. Prayer will also help us grow in evangelistic fervor. The more we pray for the lost, the more our hearts will develop a love for the lost and a desire to do God’s will.
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And remember, practice makes perfect! The more you do, it the easier it will become.
