Every Christian is responsible to fulfill the Great Commission. Making disciples is not the sole responsibility of pastors, leaders, extroverts, professional communicators, or any other kind of ministry specialist. It is the job of every Christian. Most Christians know this is true and yet continue to find the task of evangelism disorienting and unattainable. Fears and insecurities cripple us (even pastors). How are we able to share Jesus with others in a way that is both faithful and winsome?

In New England, our communities are often disengaged, disinterested, or disapproving of Christian witness. It is not easy to share the gospel of Jesus with others. Moreover, many instinctively believe that “real evangelism” must entail standing on a street corner and engaging strangers that seem neither interested nor open to such efforts. Although some are called to such means, it might encourage you to consider that the most fertile ground for gospel conversations is often not in spontaneous presentations with lost strangers but in intentional conversations with lost friends.

Relationships are the most fertile ground

If you were to consider where you have been most deeply helped to follow Jesus, you probably would not say it was while attending big events or in chance meetings with strangers. You would probably say it was when a person (or two) poured themselves into you relationally, walked with you, knew you, and helped you follow Jesus. When the Scriptures talk about our missional task, they assume that ongoing relationships are where such disciple-making will happen. In Matthew 28, Jesus commanded his disciples to “Go therefore and disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). Notice Jesus does not say, “teach them all I have commanded.” He says, “teach them to observe all I have commanded.” The goal is not information-transfer. The goal is life-on-life discipleship where we walk alongside others and show them how to follow Jesus. That requires relationship.

Paul spoke of our missional task this way: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person” (Colossians 4:6). Every person you meet is different. They have unique desires, passions, questions, struggles, knowledge, and experiences. Paul is stating that our gracious speech about the gospel must be “seasoned” for each person. This must mean knowing the person so that we know how to best share the gospel of Jesus with them. Missional faithfulness that communicates the gospel clearly to “each person” seeks to become a “friend of sinners” like Jesus was.

Consider your spheres of influence

God’s vision for the world is one where the earth is filled with the “knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Habbakuk 2:14). God intends to saturate every square inch of the world with his glory. Could it be that your place in that big vision is to saturate the few square miles that most of your life happens in? Perhaps it is among the people you work alongside, see at the local park, live down the street from, or see at your kid’s sports games. Why else would God place you (an ambassador of the kingdom of heaven) in their sphere of influence? Perhaps it would be a good thing to get a piece of paper and make a list of people in your life that do not follow Jesus, start praying for them, and look for ways to nurture a deeper relationship with them.

Be yourself, as a Christian

We are in a cultural moment that craves authenticity. As Christians, our identity in Christ is the most life-defining reality for us. You do not have to “earn the right to talk about Jesus” with your lost friends (as some unfortunately say). If you go out to lunch with them, ask if you can pray over the meal. If they ask how your weekend was, tell them how encouraging the church service was. If they share something hard with you, ask if you can pray for them. Friends give advice to each other. Give counsel that points them to Jesus. Share how you deal with grief, disappointment, hurt, or joy as a Christian. Be curious and ask good questions. Do not feel a need to squeeze in every thought or truth into the same conversation. It is okay to think about the next ten conversations, not just this one. Invite them over for dinner and do all the Christian things you would normally do. This is who you are. Show and share Jesus (in word and deed) by being a “Christian” friend.

You are not a salesperson. You are a satisfied customer.

Many Christians feel crippled in evangelism because they believe they must memorize a five-minute sales pitch about the gospel and be ready to answer any objection to the Christian faith. However, that is not our tone. You are not like a car salesman telling all the wonderful things about a car so someone will buy it. You are more like the customer showing off what you enjoy about the car you purchased yourself. In the same way, we can rejoice in the gospel of Jesus, the character of God, the wisdom of the Bible, and the satisfying power of salvation in a way that communicates that we have truly been satisfied by it.

If you are worried about knowing all the right answers or messing things up, be encouraged. You do not need to defend the claims of Jesus (or the gospel). You just need to present them clearly. As Spurgeon eloquently put it, “The best [defense] for the gospel is to let the gospel out. Never mind about defending [it]; preach Jesus Christ and him crucified. Let the Lion out, and see who will dare to approach him.” You have already been changed by Jesus. Be honest about what you find most beautiful, compelling, and satisfying about him. As you nurture intentional relationships with lost friends, be honest about Jesus, ask thoughtful questions, and be brave as you declare who Jesus is. Your responsibility is not to save them. It is to share faithfully of the One who can save them. Show it with your life. Share it with your words. I believe that seeking to communicate who Jesus is through intentional relationships with unbelieving friends is both faithful and fruitful, especially in small New England communities.

I recently had the joy of seeing a friend follow Jesus that I’ve been witnessing to for years. He hadn’t been to a church for 30 years and one Sunday, he showed up. He came off and on to the services and I kept talking with him about Jesus. It was Father’s Day and he was overwhelmed with guilt. I came and sat down next to him. He said, “Micah, I haven’t been a good dad. I’m such a failure.” I put my arm around him and I said, “I’m a failure too. But you know what? Jesus loves failures. Don’t you think it’s time you gave your life to him?” As tears rolled down his cheeks, he said, “Yes. It’s time.”

You already have everything you need to faithfully share Jesus with others. What saved you is what can save them. Trust in Jesus and be a “friend of sinners” like him.