Evangelism can feel intimidating, but for most of us, itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s not a lack of willingnessòòò½ÊÓƵ”itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s a lack of understanding. Simply put, evangelism is sharing the Gospel.
Thatòòò½ÊÓƵ™s it! And according to Jesus, itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s not a suggestionòòò½ÊÓƵ”itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s an expectation: òòò½ÊÓƵœGo into all the world and preach the gospel to all creationòòò½ÊÓƵ (Mark 16:15).
But how do we actually do this in our everyday lives? Jesus gives us a powerful model in His interaction with the Samaritan woman in John 4:1òòò½ÊÓƵ“26.
It starts with something simple: slowing down. Jesus was on a journey, yet He
paused at a well in Samaria. He was tired, yet unhurriedòòò½ÊÓƵ”not distracted or in a rush. In fact, throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus continually living with intention and marginòòò½ÊÓƵ”stopping for a leper (Mark 1:40òòò½ÊÓƵ“42) and pausing for a bleeding woman (Mark 5:25òòò½ÊÓƵ“34). He created space for divine encounters.
As Adrian Rogers said, òòò½ÊÓƵœIf Satan canòòò½ÊÓƵ™t make you bad, heòòò½ÊÓƵ™ll make you busy.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Sometimes our greatest opportunities to share the Gospel will come in what feel like interruptions.
At the well, Jesus also broke through barriers. Speaking to this woman was socially, culturally, and even morally unexpected. Jews rarely associated with Samaritans, men didnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t casually speak with women in public, and holy teachers certainly didnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t engage with women of questionable reputation. Yet Jesus wasnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t concerned about societal normsòòò½ÊÓƵ”He was concerned about the womanòòò½ÊÓƵ™s soul.
So, He built a bridge instead of a wall. He showed us that connection should come before correction. Evangelism isnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t about drawing lines between òòò½ÊÓƵœusòòò½ÊÓƵ and òòò½ÊÓƵœthem.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s about drawing near to othersòòò½ÊÓƵ”just as Jesus did.
Then, not only did Jesus build a bridge, but He also led the conversation with listening. Jesus didnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t launch into a sermon immediatelyòòò½ÊÓƵ”He began with a question:
òòò½ÊÓƵœWill you give Me a drink?òòò½ÊÓƵ (John 4:7). His longest recorded conversation in Scripture began with simple human interaction.
In a world full of opinions, listening is one of the most powerful ways we can show love. We donòòò½ÊÓƵ™t need perfect words; we just need a present, listening heart.
John 4:13-14 contains one more lesson on evangelism. When He finally responded to her needs, Jesus offered life, not a lecture. He acknowledged her
brokenness without shaming her. He spoke truth, but He did it in love, offering her living wateròòò½ÊÓƵ”Himselfòòò½ÊÓƵ”something her soul had been thirsting for all along.
I love that Jesusòòò½ÊÓƵ™ message to this woman wasnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t, òòò½ÊÓƵœClean up first,òòò½ÊÓƵ but òòò½ÊÓƵœCome to Me and live.òòò½ÊÓƵ He didnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t crush her with her past; He invited her into a beautiful future.
This is the Gospel in motion: grace, truth, and the opportunity for change wrapped in kindness.
When we follow Jesusòòò½ÊÓƵ™ leadòòò½ÊÓƵ”by slowing down, breaking barriers, listening well, and offering hope instead of shameòòò½ÊÓƵ”we wonòòò½ÊÓƵ™t just share information. Weòòò½ÊÓƵ™ll share the hope of transformation! And as a result, many lives will changeòòò½ÊÓƵ¦ including ours.
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