Evangelism, Simplified

Sometimes we make missions and evangelism too hard.  We think of it as something that requires us to go somewhere we ordinarily wouldn't go to do something we ordinarily wouldn't do.  I think for most people it is much simpler than that, it is a matter of thinking about all of life, every relationship, whether intimate or casual, in an evangelistic way. 

If you have a job, family, kids whose activities bring you into contact with others, hobbies you share with others, gym membership where you meet other people in any way, if you go to the grocery store, eat in the same restaurants regularly, anything you do that brings you into contact with other human beings who are created in the image of God, you have an opportunity to share the Gospel in some way. 

The old saying is that we should talk to God about our friends and then talk to our friends about God.  That is good advice and a good place to start your evangelism.  If, as I do, you believe in the sovereignty of God and you believe that it is the movement of the Holy Spirit operating in someone's life that brings them to saving knowledge of Jesus is there a better way to start evangelizing than praying that God will move in that person's life?  The most important thing we can do for others is to pray for them, asking the Lord to manifest Himself to them, and then asking Him to grant you the grace to be whatever part in that process that He deems fit.

The other really important thing we can do is to be distinctively Christian wherever we are.  That requires thought and it requires a knowledge of Scripture and of Jesus.  Being immersed in the Word, both written and in Christ, is key to effective evangelism.  If we allow the Word to dwell richly in us and we abide in Him then we are more likely to live Christian lives.  It also helps to have tight relationships with other Christians who love you and whom you trust who can hold you accountable and speak into your life when they see something in your attitudes or actions that is problematic. 

Are you already praying, already in the Word, already in accountability relationships?  If so you are on the right road to be evangelistic.  Now you just have to begin doing all those things, prayer, study and relationships purposefully for the kingdom.  Simple, isn't it?