This year we’ve been focusing on evangelism and discipleship. While the two are connected, evangelism is more about teaching the Gospel with the goal of the hearer becoming a Christian. Discipleship, on the other hand, is more about training a Christian to live more and more like Jesus. The two overlap, one can disciple an unbeliever to start following Jesus, then continue discipling them to better follow Jesus. Sometimes the concepts of evangelism and discipleship can become unnecessarily convoluted. In such cases evangelism becomes a grand plan and discipleship a program to complete.
Evangelism is meant to be a natural extension of who we are as Christians. Like the disciples that Jesus commanded to “go” in Matthew 28:19, we too are to “go.” This is not meant to be a one time action or some special activity. It is meant to be how we express ourselves around others. Every Christian should have a strong desire to talk about Jesus and to share what it’s like to live like Jesus.
I’ve often said that if you are a Christian and you can tell someone how you became a Christian, then that is personal evangelism. If you’ve never shared how you became a Christian then I would like to suggest that you practice your story. Think back to before you became a Christian. What was your life like before Jesus? What made you decide to follow Jesus? Be specific about the details. Talk about how you studied and learned the Gospel. Share how you committed your life to Jesus in baptism. Talk about how Jesus continues to impact your life today.
Making a connection to the Scriptures is important. At appropriate times you can reference how we’re lost in sin (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23); how God loves us (John 3:16); and how Jesus taught us to believe and be baptized to be saved (Mark 16:16). Perhaps you have other Scriptures relevant to your personal story. We should never discount our personal story when sharing the Gospel. Incorporating our personal story with the Gospel is exactly what the Apostle Paul did in Acts 9, Acts 22, and Acts 26. While we are not the Apostle Paul, sharing our story and including Scripture is a personal way to share our faith.
Discipleship for a Christian should never feel like a burden, but a natural expression of our Christ-like life. If I love Jesus and I appreciate all that Jesus has done in my life, then when I see a new brother or sister in Christ I am going to want to help them learn more about the life that Jesus wants us all to have. The same is true if I see a brother or sister in Christ who is struggling in some way. I am going to want to help them through whatever challenges they are facing. Scripturally, we are called to disciple others in Matthew 28:19-20. Practically, we are reminded dozens of times to be concerned with one another and to help one another. Among the “one anothers” we are to: serve one another – Galatians 5:13; bear one another’s burdens – Galatians 6:2; be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another – Ephesians 4:32; teach and admonish one another – Colossians 3:16; comfort and edify one another – 1 Thessalonians 5:11. To be engaged in such “one anothering” is very much what a discipler does when discipling. This is not a program, but simply who a Christian is among the family of God.
Evangelism and discipleship do not have to be planned events or programs. Sometimes it’s necessary to have planned events or programs to get things started or rekindled, but Christians should never have to rely upon them. Evangelism and discipleship are natural expressions of who we are as Christians.
