There is nothing more exciting than seeing someone come to faith in Christ, and as Christians, we are to celebrate God’s gift of salvation. At the same time, we often find it difficult to share our testimony and talk about our faith outside of the church. Yet God wants us to tell others the good news of salvation.
Jesus called His disciples to be “fishers of men” in Matthew 4:19. Being fishers of men means intentionally seeking opportunities to share our faith with others, and one of the most powerful tools we have to do this is our own testimony. People might debate scriptures and doctrine, but it is hard for them to argue with your story.
What Did Jesus Mean by “Fishers of Men?”
Many of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen by trade. As Jesus called Peter and Andrew, they left their fishing nets to follow him (Matthew 4:18-20). In the process, Jesus said He would make them “fishers of men.” Just as fishermen intentionally cast nets to draw fish, Jesus calls us to seek out and draw people to Him.
Fishing takes patience, strategy, and persistence. One must get up early, have the right bait, and go where the fish are, but sometimes the fish simply don’t bite despite the best preparation. There are similarities with evangelism. We can prepare and go to people who need Jesus, but they might not always believe.
Ultimately, it is not about “catching” people but about inviting them into a relationship with Christ. It’s not our job to ensure others believe, but it is our job to be living proof of a loving God to a watching world. Sharing your testimony of how you came to know Christ is one way to draw people into a gospel conversation.
Learning to Fish
“For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.” —1 Corinthians 9:19-23
How do you begin sharing your testimony? First, consider your audience. You should adapt your approach based on the person’s background and openness.
Paul was intentional about relating to people as he shared his testimony. He understood that people come to the gospel with various cultural backgrounds, preconceived ideas, and experiences that can affect their receptiveness.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Does the person I am sharing with have a negative view of Christians and the Bible?
If so, offer kindness and compassion, start with the basics of who God is to you, and use your story to help that person move past their closedness. The goal is to spark their curiosity to learn more about God.
- Is the person I am sharing with open to spiritual things and interested in talking more about Jesus?
Then dive deeper into how you have grown in your walk with God and how He can work in similar ways in their life.
This all requires you to build a relationship with a person before sharing your testimony.
Evangelism doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all formula; it requires sensitivity, listening, and prayerful discernment. It’s natural to worry that you might not have all the right words or know all the right scriptures, but rest in the fact that God will speak through you. Jesus told His disciples that the Holy Spirit would give them words in difficult situations (Luke 12:12), and He can be trusted to guide our conversations today.
Tossing Out the Line: Starting Spiritual Conversations
What are some ways you can naturally guide a conversation into sharing your testimony?
Consider these suggestions:
- Pray before meals in public or with friends.
- Offer to pray for someone going through difficulty.
- Ask questions like, “Do you have a faith background?”
- Mention how you are asking God to help you with something in your life.
- Share an answer to prayer you have experienced recently.
Starting small is ideal. Evangelism often starts with a single step, not full gospel presentations. The goal at first should be to develop a person’s curiosity about God, not to preach. As conversations progress, you can share more of the gospel.
Your Fishing Hole: Evangelizing in Your Sphere of Influence
Everyone has friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors they interact with daily. You can share your testimony within the context of these relationships. Each relationship requires thought and sensitivity because the way you talk with one person might look different from the way you share with someone else. Sharing your testimony often requires integrity, patience, and love for the people you’re witnessing to. Remember, they aren’t just listening to your words; they’re watching your actions, too.
Think of at least three people in your sphere of influence who you can pray for and who would benefit from hearing your testimony.
Facing the Fear of Rejection
What happens if you share your testimony with someone and they aren’t receptive? The fear of rejection is one of the biggest reasons Christians don’t share their testimonies. Remember that if a person is closed off to the gospel, they are not rejecting you but God (Luke 10:16). Jesus also experienced rejection during His ministry, so you are not alone.
Our role is to be obedient to God and be living proof of Him to others. God’s role is to save people. Your story might lead to one small step in someone’s faith journey. It might require many people sharing with a person before they place their faith in God, but everyone who shared made a valuable contribution.
People also need to feel they belong with other Christians before they believe. Jesus made sure people felt accepted and that they belonged in His presence. He welcomed people without qualifiers. Likewise, extend grace and hospitality to everyone, regardless of their background. When people feel like they belong, they are open to hearing about what you believe.
Practical Tips for Sharing Your Testimony
Remember that we need to live the message of the gospel before we speak it. People should see Christ in the way we live, and they will not be receptive if the words we say and the things we do are inconsistent.
It’s also important to step out of our comfort zones to reach the people who need to hear about God’s love. Jesus loved outcasts and spent time with them, even though the religious leaders disapproved. Authentic love, hospitality, and kindness open the door for you to share your testimony.
Keep the following practices in mind as you share your testimony with others:
- Pray for those who are lost.
Consistent prayer softens hearts. Ask God for the right words to say at the right time.
- Invite others to church.
An invite is a simple, non-threatening step. Don’t assume someone will say no to joining you at church and let that prevent you from asking. You will be surprised how often people will accept a heartfelt invitation.
- Tell your story.
As you share, remember that your story has three parts: your life before Christ, how you met Christ, and your life after Christ.
Ultimately, no one can argue with your story, and it’s the most powerful evidence of God’s work you carry.
If sharing your testimony still seems overwhelming, practice first. Try role-playing and practicing with other believing friends. Give each other pointers and encouragement. Your skills in evangelism will improve with repetition, and sharing your testimony will become less intimidating the more you do it.
Ultimately, sharing your testimony is about planting seeds, not immediate results.
Casting the Net in Faith
Being fishers of men is about joining Jesus in His mission to reach people with God’s love. God invites us to draw others to Him. Sharing your testimony is a powerful, personal way to do this. Your story may be the very bait someone needs to taste God’s love.
Take one small step this week by either praying for someone, inviting someone to church, or sharing your story with someone. You can start “fishing” within your own circle of influence and trust God with the results.
For more practical tips on evangelism and sharing your testimony, watch the NOW sermon series. It will teach you the fundamentals of reaching others and explaining the gospel message with confidence.