SHARE YOUR FAITH
At One Family Church, we believe that sharing your faith is one of the most powerful ways to love others and live out the mission of Jesus.
The truth is, many people don’t know where to start or how to navigate the process of sharing their faith—and they’re afraid of getting it wrong. We have these conversations all the time, and we’re here to help! Let us be your guide on this journey as you do one of the most important things you can do as a follower of Jesus.
It’s not about having all the answers—it’s about being real, being present, and letting God work through your story. We invite you to lean into four simple steps that can help you make a meaningful impact:
- Accept personal responsibility for your role in the Great Commission (below) to reach people only you can reach
- Develop a personal relationship built on trust and care
- Share your personal testimony of how Jesus has changed your life
- Give a personal invitation to take a next step in faith
Together, we can bring people and God together in love.
THE GREAT COMMISSION
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
1. Accept personal responsibility
Sharing the gospel is a calling for every believer. Jesus commissioned His followers to be His witnesses “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8), and that includes our own neighborhoods, workplaces, and families. This mission is not just for pastors or missionaries and you don't have to go across the ocean, you can go across the street.
Accepting personal responsibility means recognizing that God has placed specific people in your life for a reason. Now it's up to you to be willing and available to share what Jesus has done in your life, and how your life is different having Jesus at the center.
Pray daily for specific people in your life who don’t know Jesus. Write down the names of 3–5 people you feel called to reach. Pray without ceasing.
It takes courage to share your faith story. Ask God for opportunities to share, and for boldness when they come.
Adopt the mindset that you may be the only reflection of Jesus to this person. If you don't share the Good News of Jesus, who will? People who are not following Jesus don't read the Bible, they read you.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be [Jesus'] witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8
2. Develop a personal relationship
People are far more likely to listen when they know you genuinely care about them as a person. Evangelism is most effective when it flows from authentic, ongoing relationships. Take time to listen, be present, and invest in others without an agenda. As trust builds, spiritual conversations will often come naturally.
Remember, Jesus often engaged people personally—He dined with them, walked with them, asked questions, and showed compassion long before revealing who He was.
Invite a coworker to lunch and listen to their story.
Join a local group or activity (sports league, book club) where you can regularly interact with nonbelievers.
Help a neighbor with a need (yard work, meal, childcare) and start a friendship. We preach the Gospel in what we do not in just what we say.
Be consistent—send a check-in text, remember birthdays, show up when it matters.
Don’t be afraid to ask about or discuss spiritual and religious concepts. If they’re considering becoming a Christian or following Jesus, an important question is “Where are you at with Jesus?”
3. Share your personal testimony
Your story is one of the most powerful tools you have. It’s unique, it’s real, and it points to God’s work in your life. Sharing your testimony isn’t about having the perfect words—it’s about humbly and clearly telling how Jesus has changed you.
Our best advice? Take time to personally reflect on how Jesus has changed your life.
- Write it down, then practice sharing it in an impactful way.
- Keep it concise (3-5 minutes).
- Answer a couple questions: What was life like before Jesus? What about your life changed with Him as the center of your life?
Some examples to consider: your priorities, how you spend your time, what you value most in life, how you respond in challenging situations, etc. - Mention spiritual milestones naturally: “When I started following Jesus…” or “One thing that helped me was my faith.”
Keep it focused, be honest, and make sure Jesus is at the center. When others see that your faith is personal and transformative, they may begin to wonder how He could change their lives too.
Keep Scripture handy that’s been meaningful to your journey. Be familiar with the Gospels and willing to explore the truths of scripture together.
4. Give a personal invitation
At some point, it’s important to lovingly and clearly invite someone to take a next step with Jesus—whether that’s coming to church, getting baptized, reading Scripture, praying together, or choosing to follow Him.
An invitation doesn’t have to be pushy or scripted. It can be as simple as, “Would you want to come to church with me?” or “Have you ever thought about what it would mean to know Jesus personally?” Trust the Holy Spirit to work through your courage and sincerity.
At some point, every person who is considering following Jesus has to answer the question “who is Jesus?”
Share the Gospel with them and invite them to make Jesus the Lord of their life.
Ask them to come to church or a small group. Grab an invitation card from the lobby to kick off a conversation.
Offer to read the Bible together (e.g., start with the Gospel of John).
Invite them to an event that’s friendly for those exploring faith (holiday service, family event, service project).
Engage digitally by sharing a sermon, making an encouraging post, or leaving a thoughtful review on social media. A simple post can spark curiosity or open a door to deeper conversations.
DIGITAL INVITATION GUIDE >
SHARE THE GOSPEL
Sharing the Gospel is one of the most important and life-giving things we can do as followers of Jesus. Whether you're new to evangelism or looking for fresh ways to connect with others, this section offers simple, effective tools to help you confidently share the Good News with the people in your life.
-
The Romans Road is a simple, step-by-step method of explaining the Gospel message using verses from the New Testament book of Romans. It’s called a "road" because it takes someone on a journey—from understanding our need for salvation to receiving eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.
-
The Bridge of Life illustration is a visual tool used to explain the Gospel by showing how Jesus bridges the gap between humanity and God.
-
The Big Story is a gospel presentation tool developed by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. It offers a clear, visual summary of God's narrative, aiming to help individuals understand their place within it and respond to the invitation of Jesus Christ.
The Four Parts of The Big Story
-
Designed for Good: In the beginning, God created the world and humanity to be good, existing in perfect relationship with Him, each other, and creation.
-
Damaged by Evil: Through human choice, sin entered the world, disrupting these relationships and introducing brokenness into every aspect of life.
-
Restored for Better: God, in His love, sent Jesus to restore what was broken. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus offers forgiveness and renewal.
-
Sent Together to Heal: Those who follow Jesus are called to join His mission, bringing healing and hope to the world around them.
This narrative framework not only outlines the gospel message but also emphasizes the communal and missional aspects of the Christian faith. It's designed to resonate with a diverse audience, from academic settings to communities experiencing hardship.
For those interested in sharing this story, InterVarsity provides resources such as a free mobile app, printable booklets, and training materials. These tools are designed to equip individuals to present the gospel effectively and invite others to respond. To explore these resources and learn more about The Big Story, visit the InterVarsity Library.
-
-
The Gospel is the Good News of God's love and salvation for humanity, offered through the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s the central message of the Christian faith, offering hope, forgiveness, and reconciliation with God.