I recently wrote an STS Article called “10 Ways to Encourage Others in Christ.” As I reflected further, what amazed and encouraged me was the realization that the same list can be used to witness to unbelievers. I suppose it shouldn’t be surprising to us that the ways we encourage other disciples are the same ways we can encourage people to become disciples. Below is the list I shared in my previous article, this time pointing out some of the ways these forms of encouragement can be effective in the lives of unbelievers. I pray this will help us by providing some practical ways we can be more missional in our daily lives.

1. Share your excitement in the Lord with others.

Simply share with unbelievers the ways you see God working in your heart, ways he has answered your prayers or how he has been providing for you. If you’re genuinely excited about these things, it’s a great opportunity to naturally share about God in a way that also allows your unbelieving friend to get to know you better.

2. Thank others who encourage you with their excitement in the Lord.

This is in the context of a mixed group of believers and unbelievers (it’s a great thing to have gatherings where those who don’t know Jesus mingle with those who do). When you thank a believer in the group for sharing their excitement in the Lord with you, those who are unbelievers will witness Christian community in action.

3. Tell stories of what God has recently done for you.

We believe in a God who is sovereign in all things, so why not give him the credit for what he’s done? And why not do so in conversation with an unbelieving friend? It’s a natural and low-pressure way to speak about God, and it testifies to your unbelieving friend of a world in which God is constantly, graciously active.

4. Share with others what God has been showing you in his Word.

Genuine friends share with each other the things that excite them. As God shows you marvelous things in his Word, why not share your excitement with those who don’t know God? This gives your unbelieving friends a glimpse into your heart. It also shows that you prioritize daily walking with the Lord as opposed to limiting your relationship with the Lord to Sunday morning church attendance.

5. Point out ways you see others growing in the Lord.

This is most effective when you have a mixed group of believers and unbelievers and you point out ways that another believer is growing in the Lord. The unbeliever gets to witness the love Christians have for one another in encouraging each other.

6. Thank others for specific ways their actions have pointed you to Christ.

In doing this with unbelievers we’re pointing out ways they’re acting in a Christlike fashion even though that wasn’t their intent. We’re giving glory to Jesus and helping them to see connections between their lives and Christ.

7. Acknowledge the God-given giftedness you see in others.

Unbelievers don’t know that it’s God who has gifted them, but you’re showing that you are mindful of their gifting and you’re helping them to see the source of their giftedness.

8. If someone is hurting, take the time to pray with them right then and there.

I find that even unbelievers don’t refuse prayer when they’re in need. Taking the extra minute or two to pray for them in the moment, rather than telling them you’ll pray for them later, provides an opportunity for you to approach the throne of grace on their behalf.

9. Share your own struggles and how they have grown your dependence on God.

Unbelievers and believers alike value transparency. Being transparent with our weaknesses gives us the perfect opportunity to boast in our God’s strength.

10. Help others see how God’s Word speaks into their current situation.

Pointing others to the relevance of God’s Word encourages them to seek God for themselves and points to him as the only one who can satisfy our every need.

As we seek to encourage our non-Christian friends in these simple ways, speaking naturally and authentically about God to them, God will sometimes provide further opportunities to speak gospel words and share with them the love of Christ.

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