I recently celebrated my birthday. While I have many, many friends and loving family, I opted to take myself to dinner. I selected a new-to-me restaurant because they had salmon and grits on the menu.

Upon being seated, I placed my order and had really high expectations. I was thrilled I was not disappointed. My meal was so very, very good. Unfortunately, no one was with me to share in my experience. It was a personal experience. However, I have found I have shared with however will listen about how great my solo birthday dinner was.

As believers, we sit in a truly special place as children of God. God is our Father. This is the same God who is the creator of the universe. This is the same God who Moses walked with and watched Him split the Red Sea so that an estimated 600,000 people could cross, while their enemies drown. This is the same God who sent Jesus via a virgin birth, set it up for Him to die a brutal death and rise again. All because He loved us so much and wanted us to be reconciled to Him. This is the same God who took a man that was persecuting Christians, converted him, and led him to write so much of our doctrine. That God is our Father.

We have relationship with God – the King of kings and Lord of lords – because of Jesus Christ. It’s exceptional to be able to do life with the One who created and established life. Considering our personal experience, hopefully it encourages all of us to share with those who have not had their own personal experience with this valuable relationship and how they too can have their own personal experience.

We can get good with telling. I’d like to offer you three steps.

1. Know your why

“Once you know your why, you can survive almost any how.” – Author Unknown

Often times in evangelism, there is fear on the part of the believer. But when you know why you are sharing the gospel, it can motivate you to push past the fear. What are some good whys for sharing the gospel? Maybe one is the benefits of being a Christian, such as access to peace, joy, and answered prayers. Another may be having the same love and concern for others that God does, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9. Dr. Larry Moyer has been known to say, “the only thing you can take to heaven with you is a friend.”

Consider your why.

2. Get training

“I am still learning.” – Michelangelo (age 87)

Anything you want to do, someone has to show you how. A baby speaks and walks because they mimic their caregivers. Athletes achieve their success because they were taught their respective sports and have coaches. You perform your job because you had training.

When it comes to sharing the gospel, yes, you can approach it in a similar manner as a conversation about a great birthday meal you had at a new-to-you restaurant. However, there is something to be said about having a method or framework to present a clear gospel message. Once you present the gospel, what happens if the person has questions or even objections? At some point, it will happen and it’s okay! When you have effective training, you are taught how to handle those things.

EvanTell is the best at evangelism training. Their training is grace based and biblically sound. They’ve been doing this for more than 50 years and are an incredible partner to walk alongside you as you develop in evangelism – personal, for your church, or group.

Even if you’ve been a believer and shared the gospel within your sphere for many years, there is opportunity to continually learn, especially as our society changes.

3. Go practice

“Strategy is important, but execution is everything.” – Jeff Haden

We know our why. We’ve been trained and have a plan. Additionally, we have the Holy Spirit within us. Now, we become tools in the Master’s hands.

We are charged with sharing the gospel (see Mark 16:15). All of us – not just our pastor or the evangelism team. Many years ago, I became discouraged as I was sharing the gospel, I was not seeing people convert right then. I came to a place of relaxation because of a secret I’m going to share with you. Our responsibility is to tell. It’s His responsibility to convert. Talk about a pressure reliever!

The more you share, the easier it can become to turn conversations into spiritual things. God has not asked you to do the converting, just the telling and praying.