Sharing Jesus in a post Christian culture
How to share biblical truth without being offensive, aggressive,
or alternatively being weak and boring
We need to share Jesus like we share chocolate. No one wants the truth of chocolate read to them off the back of the packet; they want to taste it for themselves. They need to experience the chocolate. Psalms 34:8 says ‘Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.’ Let’s help people taste that the Lord is good. Sharing biblical truth isn’t about the verbalisation of ideas or knowledge, but a living demonstration that can be experienced in the life of the receiver. 1 Corinthians 4:20 says, ‘For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.’ The postmodern Christian world needs to taste and see the kingdom of God. Help people to encounter God and then introduce them to his words. Why would we share biblical truth with the world and expect people to want it? Why would anyone who doesn't care about God, care about what the Bible says? Why would someone care about biblical truth if they don’t care about God? Even when I was a kid’s pastor, parents wanted me to teach the Bible more and have kids doing more scripture memorisation. But why should people care about a book if they don’t care about the author? Let’s help them care about the author first. So, you need to ask yourself, is sharing biblical truth relevant for the stage this person is at?
Share in a way that people can experience Jesus, not just hear words about him. People need to hear the gospel, but they also need to experience it. Jesus went about doing good everywhere. Let biblical truth flow through you and earn the right to share words with someone whose heart has been awakened for revelation. John Maxwell says that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. You need to add value to someone’s life to gain the emotional right to share.
Powerful truth can lead people to Jesus. Amazing apologetics can transform the hearts and minds of deep thinkers, and the word of God is powerful and alive. But for lots of people, this is not the approach that’s going to help them come to Jesus. And using scripture as a resource in a debate or argument around morality in a postmodern Christian world seems like a waste of time.
What are some practical ways people experience Jesus?
Being loved by your neighbour with friendship and time.
Having a meal brought over by their neighbour, because a biblical truth is to love your neighbour.
Seeing someone cleaning the rubbish around the park, because the Bible says we were given the earth to rule over.
Having someone be kind to you when you know you were just rude to them, because the Bible says to turn the other cheek.
Having their groceries paid for at the counter, because the Bible says it’s better to give than to receive.
Being around someone that you simply respect because of the consistency of their character, because the Bible says we are called to live like Christ.
Receiving a healing because you got prayed for, because the Bible says to lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.
Opening up to a friend about your child not being able to sleep and them offering to pray for a peace over your house at night.
When it comes time for words, use your own. Revelation 12:11-12 says, ‘They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.’ Share your personal testimony. Be honest, be authentic. Have a 30 second version of why you are a Christian, have a 2 minute version and have a 5 minute version. People would often ask me when I was young, why I was a Christian. In 30 seconds, I would tell them about one miracle God had done in my life and from that I knew that He was real, because I had experienced Him. If they wanted to talk more I would share more, letting them lead the conversation. If they were satisfied and wanted to move on, I was happy to. If you are a person whose Christianity is more thinking based than experienced based, you could say something like, “With all the research I've done...”
Remember to always share Jesus with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15-16 says, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” The gospel is offensive. It’s impossible to share something offensive and not have people at times getting offended. But that doesn’t mean you do it in an offensive or aggressive way. If you’re ever sharing out of an emotion other than mercy and love, there’s a good chance you might be coming from an offensive stance, especially if you’re reacting to something online. If you are sharing online, don't react; you need to be compassionate and merciful. If in doubt, don't. If you are becoming defensive, take time before responding to check you are feeling love and in line with the Spirit. Nine times out of ten, it's not the time to prove you are right.
My goal is for people to be able to taste the chocolate and let them come back for more. Because let’s be honest, we often tell ourselves we’ll only eat a little, and by the end of the movie we’re watching, the whole blocks been eaten.