Where do I start?

One of the great joys of being a Christian is sharing your story. The story of how you came to faith in Jesus Christ. But one of the greatest challenges as a Christian is how to begin the conversation of Christianity with friends and family that you have known for years.

Recently I had a friend named Mark that shared a serious concern with me about his brother who tragically had been diagnosed with cancer. They both had grown up in a family that was unchurched. As a child, he did not remember his parents taking them to church on Sundays. In college both young men chose different paths. My friend Mark came to faith by trusting Christ as Lord and Savior. His brother chose a path of living a fairly moral life, yet a life without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Religion and church attendance had come up a few times in conversation at family gatherings. Mark’s brother seemed to never be interested in talking about spiritual matters.

The realization that Mark’s brother had cancer and possibly would not survive even with treatments caused Mark to take his brother’s lostness very seriously. Mark realized he had to tell his brother about how to become a Christian. His question was, “Where do I start? He’s my brother, he knows me well; my strengths and my shortcomings. At times I have blown it. I’ve even hurt my witness in front of my brother.”

I think a lot of people are faced with this challenge. We’ve gone years and yet have not had the most important conversation of how to become a believer in Christ with people that we love.

You might ask the question that Mark asked, “Where do I start?”

Start here:

1. Pray for the Holy Spirit to touch their life; that they will be open to the gospel story.

2. Let them know that there is something very important to you that is heavy upon your heart that you want to share with them.

3. Be honest, if you’re embarrassed, that you haven’t already shared the spiritual truths about Christ with them. Let them know that this is something you should have shared with them a long time ago and that you want to share with them now.

4. Let them know how much you love them and how important they are to you.

5. Tell them your spiritual story of how you became a Christian. Explain that you were a sinner and that you needed God’s forgiveness and that you wanted a personal relationship with God through his son, Jesus. If they have their Bible nearby, share with them the Romans Road.

6. Then ask them, “Can I ask you a question?” Almost always they are willing to hear your question. “Have you ever prayed and asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life to be your Lord and your Savior?” If they say yes, I have, ask them to tell you their story. If they say no, I have not done that or I don’t remember, let them know it would be an honor for you to pray for them. Ask them if you can pray for them and then help lead them in prayer so they can pray and trust Jesus for cleansing and forgiveness of sin, and by faith trust Jesus Christ to come into their life to be their Lord and Savior.

7. Remember, let the Holy Spirit draw them to himself. Be assertive but not pushy. Always strive to keep the conversation open for other opportunities to share God’s truths about salvation.

Please pray for Mark as he goes and shares with his brother the good news that Jesus loves him and will forgive him and will save him.

Thank the Lord for a brother that will share the gospel with his brother.


For more information on No Sweat Evangelism, go to nosweatevangelism.com. The Georgia Baptist Mission Board has an Evangelism Consultant in your specific region that can help you in leading your church members to follow Jesus and work in His harvest fields. For more information, please contact the Evangelism team of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board and schedule a consultation. You can also join the conversation on Facebook!


Published April 7, 2021