Too Scared to Share Jesus?
Get Billy Graham's "My Hope America" for evangelism help
By Debra Torres
The furniture deliveryman called me right on cue. He told me they were a half-hour away and would be at my house shortly.
I was excited to get the new family room furniture.
It came as an unexpected gift from my sister-in-law and would replace the worn-out, duct-taped pieces we’d used for years.
But one thing concerned me about the deliverymen that made me anxious about their arrival.
You see, I didn’t have a tip for them.
My husband had worked in furniture delivery years before I knew him and told me that you always tip for this backbreaking job.
But funds were tight, and I had nothing to give the men.
They came in and brought my couches one by one, being careful not to scuff my walls. And they meticulously set up the pieces. They were punctual, respectful and worked well as a team.
Ugh! And I had no tip. What was I going to do?
When I was signing my receipt, I was honest about my dilemma and they waved me off, telling me that it was fine. But then, out of my mouth came the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
And I gave the men a spiritual tip.
They received it, thanked me and went on their way. And as I checked out my beautiful new furniture, my heart sang with the realization that I had shared Christ with two complete strangers.
The furniture deliveryman called me right on cue. He told me they were a half-hour away and would be at my house shortly.
I was excited to get the new family room furniture.
It came as an unexpected gift from my sister-in-law and would replace the worn-out, duct-taped pieces we’d used for years.
But one thing concerned me about the deliverymen that made me anxious about their arrival.
You see, I didn’t have a tip for them.
My husband had worked in furniture delivery years before I knew him and told me that you always tip for this backbreaking job.
But funds were tight, and I had nothing to give the men.
They came in and brought my couches one by one, being careful not to scuff my walls. And they meticulously set up the pieces. They were punctual, respectful and worked well as a team.
Ugh! And I had no tip. What was I going to do?
When I was signing my receipt, I was honest about my dilemma and they waved me off, telling me that it was fine. But then, out of my mouth came the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
And I gave the men a spiritual tip.
They received it, thanked me and went on their way. And as I checked out my beautiful new furniture, my heart sang with the realization that I had shared Christ with two complete strangers.
Was that really me back there?
Ten years ago, it wouldn’t have been. Oh, I knew I was supposed to share Christ with people, but it was so hard and a bit frightening to be honest with you.
What if I didn’t know what to say and messed up my words? Or worse, what if the person turned around and started asking me questions I couldn’t answer?
No. Better let God pick someone else to do that job.
But lately, sharing my faith has been getting easier for me. And I’m amazed at the headway I’m making in this area of my walk with God. No one’s exempt at sharing the Good News with others – no matter how shy or fearful we are.
Right before he left this earth, Jesus gave marching orders to all of us saying: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 28:19.
Ten years ago, it wouldn’t have been. Oh, I knew I was supposed to share Christ with people, but it was so hard and a bit frightening to be honest with you.
What if I didn’t know what to say and messed up my words? Or worse, what if the person turned around and started asking me questions I couldn’t answer?
No. Better let God pick someone else to do that job.
But lately, sharing my faith has been getting easier for me. And I’m amazed at the headway I’m making in this area of my walk with God. No one’s exempt at sharing the Good News with others – no matter how shy or fearful we are.
Right before he left this earth, Jesus gave marching orders to all of us saying: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 28:19.
I shared my story during Sunday School that week and after that an elder in our church told us about “My Hope America,” the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s nationwide campaign that also marks Billy Graham’s 95th birthday.
The campaign starts in November and encourages people to share their faith on the ground level with the people in their lives: friends, neighbors and co-workers. It encourages all of us to get serious about praying for them, building relationships with them and planning a social event where we can tell them about our faith and share the Good News.
Our elder said this to those of us who may be nervous about this type of evangelism: “Don’t be afraid to get outside the realm of your safe house. What (the Billy Graham Association) is suggesting is that you invite your friends and neighbors who don’t know Jesus. They’re looking for people who will go outside of their realm of safety.
"I tell people, don’t be afraid – it’s not about you anyway!”
The campaign starts in November and encourages people to share their faith on the ground level with the people in their lives: friends, neighbors and co-workers. It encourages all of us to get serious about praying for them, building relationships with them and planning a social event where we can tell them about our faith and share the Good News.
Our elder said this to those of us who may be nervous about this type of evangelism: “Don’t be afraid to get outside the realm of your safe house. What (the Billy Graham Association) is suggesting is that you invite your friends and neighbors who don’t know Jesus. They’re looking for people who will go outside of their realm of safety.
"I tell people, don’t be afraid – it’s not about you anyway!”
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association calls the upcoming national outreach “Matthew and Friends,” because the Apostle Matthew invited people into his home to eat with him and Jesus.
I like this approach. Often, when I get the “nudging” of the Holy Spirit to share the gospel with someone, I ask God to give me some common ground first – something that could open a door to a conversation about Him.
With friends, neighbors and family, we’ve got a lot of common ground already, don’t we?
So how about it? Let’s join Billy Graham and do our part in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those we rub shoulders with everyday. You can learn more about it and the special programming offered over at: www.myhopewithbillygraham.org.
Our elder has a farming background and I think he put it best when he said, “I want to help being the harvest home. I’m a Jesus combine – what kind are you?”
I like this approach. Often, when I get the “nudging” of the Holy Spirit to share the gospel with someone, I ask God to give me some common ground first – something that could open a door to a conversation about Him.
With friends, neighbors and family, we’ve got a lot of common ground already, don’t we?
So how about it? Let’s join Billy Graham and do our part in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those we rub shoulders with everyday. You can learn more about it and the special programming offered over at: www.myhopewithbillygraham.org.
Our elder has a farming background and I think he put it best when he said, “I want to help being the harvest home. I’m a Jesus combine – what kind are you?”
Here are some Bible verses that'll help you on your journey:
Matthew 9:9-10 New International Version
9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.
Matthew 9:37-38 King James Version
37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Acts 1:8 New International Version
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.
Matthew 9:37-38 King James Version
37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Acts 1:8 New International Version
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”