There are only two concepts in Scripture about verbally sharing the faith.
Before we look at what they are, focus on what they are not:
- Preaching at people
- Debating with people
- Being pushy
- Speaking in a vacuum—no relationship with the person
- Arguing about faith
- Talking about “religion” (which is the practice of faith)
- Inviting people to church.
One of two concepts about sharing faith is evangelism.
- It’s a spiritual gift.
- It’s listed as a leadership gift in Ephesians 4. Evangelists equip others who have the gift. (These are the other gifts/roles listed there: pastor, teacher, prophet, apostle).
- The evangelists, like the other four roles, are leadership gifts to the church.
- They are specialists with the primary role in the Christian movement: to equip God’s people for the work of ministry.
- As mentioned before, 10% of those in the average church have the gift and leadership role of evangelist.
The second category for faith sharing is witnessing.
- Jesus said, “…you (all) will be witnesses for Me, witnesses of Me; (1) in your hometown, with people like you; (2) in your greater geographical area (which may include where you work or go to school); (3) cross culturally—those in other cultures both nearby and faraway, and; (4) to the ends of the earth (on a mission trip, or as a missionary in another country or in other cultures, or different areas of your city that consist of different cultures.
Tomorrow, the focus is on What is Witnessing? If you would like to know more, you can also subscribe to my podcast on Apple Podcast and Google Play. We will expand on this theme further in our series beginning on March 6, 2018.
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