In his first letter, the Apostle Peter wrote we should always be ready to share the hope we have in God. When writing to Timothy the Apostle Paul said to be ready in season and out of season to preach, correct, and encourage. Meaning to be prepared to do so even when it may not seem like the best time or be convenient for you. Are you prepared at any time to share your faith with anyone who may ask? If someone asked you why you believe what you believe could you answer quickly? Giving an answer that offers real biblical depth and goes beyond the basic answer of I just know God is real?
1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
2 Timothy 4:2 (ESV)
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
It is of the utmost importance that we do prepare for such scenarios. Because what we have to share with others is not simply an issue of opinion or just another one of life’s minor issues. Our ability to accurately share our faith in an impactful way can save souls. It truly is a life or death issue. What we say can save someone from hell and usher them towards the gates of Heaven. Or if we seem to have no idea why we hold to our faith then it can cause them to turn farther away from God.
When the opportunity to share our faith comes we don’t need to appear lost. Unable to put into words the faith we hold so dear. Or stumbling over ourselves trying to find the right passage of scripture to make our point. Only causing the person we hope to convert to not trust anything we do say when we finally locate the verse we were searching for. While we may have the only truth it doesn’t matter if we are not prepared to share it.
Just imagine if someone tried to deconstruct your faith but couldn’t remember the reasons why you are wrong and they are right. You wouldn’t believe anything they said. Because they couldn’t even tell you what they believed. It is no different when we attempt to share our faith. But by simply being prepared we can have the greatest impact on the lives of others. The good news is that it isn’t that difficult to be prepared to share what we believe. Scripture records that the Apostle Paul began sharing his faith immediately after his conversion.
Acts 9:17–20 (ESV)
17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened.
For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”
How was Paul able to do that? He simply shared what he had just experienced along with what he knew to be true from the Bible. I have always held that if you are truly saved then you know how to lead others to salvation. You know what caused you to finally see Jesus as Lord. You also know the steps you took in the plan of salvation. Due to that, you should know where to find the teaching about salvation in your Bible. If you don’t then you must ask if you are truly saved and settle that with God before you even begin to reach out into the lost world.
While there are many subjects and issues in our Bibles that take time to learn and fully understand that isn’t the case with salvation. Nor is it even the case for why we place our trust in the God of the Bible. These are simply issues that can be understood with brief explanations and a few passages of scripture.
To show others their need to be saved and the plan of salvation we must start with how we are all sinners. Explaining the need for a sacrifice to cleanse us and make us right with God. Point to the fact that Jesus is that sacrifice and that He came to save imperfect people. Then simply walk them through the plan of salvation as taught in scripture. Which starts with faith, then leads to repentance, followed by baptism in Jesus name and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Romans 3:23 (ESV)
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 5:12 (ESV)
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—
Romans 5:17–19 (ESV)
17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.
John 3:16 (ESV)
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Ephesians 2:8 (ESV)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
Acts 2:37–38 (ESV)
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Mark 2:17 (ESV)
17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
That may seem like a lot of scripture to remember but you don’t have to perfectly memorize it. You simply need to know what the Bible says about each issue. As well as know where to quickly and easily find the passages. So the person you are sharing with can see it in God’s word and not only hear your words.
A great way to prepare to share your faith is to mark these verses in your Bible. Even flag the really important ones you share often so you can get to them even quicker. Or if you use a digital Bible have the verse saved and grouped together. Whatever allows you to best use the time you have when sharing your faith with someone else. Because the truth is even the most interested person won’t listen forever.
Colossians 4:5 (ESV)
5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
Now I said that knowing what to share about your faith with others is easy but that doesn’t mean we don’t need to prepare. I don’t believe that Paul just walked into the Synagogue and let things unfold however they did. I believe he had a plan as he went there that day to hopefully point people to Christ. He knew what he wanted to say, what scriptures he wanted to share, and possibly even what he would say when faced with opposition. There is a vast difference between knowing information and being able to present that information to someone else.
Take time and plan what you will say. Don’t find yourself in the perfect situation to share your faith but have no idea where to start. Follow the advice given by the Apostles and be prepared to share your faith. You may only get one chance to share your faith with someone and you must make it count. Take the time to really think about how you want to share your faith and try to even put yourself in their shoes. Just be sure you follow the Bible’s teaching and example. Always meeting those who may oppose you gently and humbly. Because no matter who they are or what they may say to you they are still worthy of salvation.
2 Timothy 2:25 (ESV)
25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
The best way you can prepare for sharing your faith is by spending time in God’s word and prayer. Studying allows you to first and foremost be sure of what you believe. As well as the fact that the more time you spend in God’s word the better you will be able to explain it to others. While prayer allows you to grow closer to the Lord. Giving you a heart like His and allowing you to better reach people in love. You can even pray for the Lord’s help as you begin to share your faith. Asking God to take the lead and help you meet them the best way possible.
2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV)
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Joshua 1:8 (ESV)
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Philippians 4:6–7 (ESV)
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV)
17 pray without ceasing,
Whatever you do, just ensure that you are prepared to share your faith with others. Jesus called every believer to make disciples and that starts with sharing your faith. Don’t hurt your testimony or potentially cause someone to question Christianity even more by not being prepared. Just a little time spent in preparation can provide dividends that continue to pay off for years to come.
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