Evangelism is a lifestyle and a process, not an event. Evangelism is sharing Jesus with people, it is not preaching at them...

It was a Saturday afternoon at Newlands cricket ground, the delightful sound of bat on ball, even more delightful was that the wickets of the opposing team were tumbling. Sitting behind me was a Muslim man that was clear from his clothes - the long beard, the fez and the white robes. As I sat there on that Saturday afternoon with my 8 year old son I wondered, how could I ever talk to him about Jesus?

It was a Sunday afternoon, a family braai with everyone together to celebrate an auspicious birthday. We were sitting out on the grass in the sunshine, the children splashing in the pool, when my cousin walked over and we began to chat. Her marriage had recently disintegrated and she was clearly hurting. I wondered how could I talk to her about Jesus?

It was a another normal day at work, another deadline loomed large. As ever there seemed that there were not enough hours in the day for what needed to be accomplished. The kids had gone off to school in a rush and a squabble. Once again I felt the pangs of not giving them enough time nor attention. As I sat behind my computer screen I wondered about my colleague sitting at the next desk. He seemed so driven, so successful, yet so empty. How could I tell him about Jesus?

Read Colossians 4:2-6

1. What does Paul ask the Colossian Christians to do (v2)? How (v2)? What are they to pray about (3 things) (v3,4)? Who is the 'we' that is referred to in v 3? Who does it not refer to?
2. What are the Colossian Christians exhorted to do (other than pray - 4 things) (v5)? What are they not expected to do? Is that a surprise/relief? In the apostle's mind who sets the agenda for evangelism for the Christian?

Think about it:

1. Notice very carefully the difference between the 'proclaimer' and the 'answerer'. Which of these two roles do you think you are? How does that make you feel?
2. How is the Spirit of God going to give people life and bring them to repentance?

Thinking about lifestyle evangelism

1. Take Little Initiatives: Everyone can greet another person. After doing that for a while, ask them how they are...
2. Pray: "The most important use of any person's name is when we repeat it in God's presence." (The Insider, Jim Peterson & Mike Shamy) We can't convict anyone of sin, or convince them of the truth about Jesus. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to do that. When we try to take on these tasks ourselves, we are being stupid (and worse arrogant).
3. Listen: Most often I don't know what to say, so don't say anything. Get them to speak. It is the best way to start a conversation with someone anyway. Ask them to tell you something about themselves. Be curious about other people. Love them by listening to them. Listen hard to the questions and assumptions that are hidden in their conversations.
4. Serve Others: Jesus washed his disciples' feet, then he said go and do the same. Everyone needs to be served in some way. Actively seek to serve the person you want to speak to (don't be afraid to let them serve you too). One important application of this principle is hospitality. Invite people into your home. Eat with them long before you speak with them about Jesus.
5. Conversing your Faith: We don't need to be Bible scholars or trained teachers to talk about our experience of God at work in us. Do that. Be ready to share the gospel in your conversation (for this you need to be clear on the gospel) when it is appropriate. Never get into an argument over some point of theology!!!!!! Rather lose the argument than lose the friend!
6. Let them meet Jesus: Our aim is always to get people to meet Jesus - they will do this in the pages of the Bible. Try and find a way to help your friend read a gospel.
   
   • Invite him/her to read it and then to ask you about it
   • Give him one (not a whole Bible, it may be too intimidating). Buy it or print it out from Biblegateway.com.
   • Offer to read it together.Offer to read it in a Bible reading group (a bit like a book club).
   • Let them ask the questions they want to.

Remember

• Jesus commands us to share what he has done, it is not optional for a Christian
• Evangelism is a lifestyle and a process, not an event
• Evangelism is sharing Jesus with people, it is not preaching at them
• Satan hates you attempting evangelism which makes it very hard
• You won't grow if you are not sharing your faithWe must tell people the truth, share your struggles in be a Christian too
• Faithfulness and perseverance (over the course of your whole life) are more important than success
• Evangelism without prayer is stupid
• Christians need to invest time and effort into making Non-Christian friends (in order to do this you will have to stop doing something else)
• Evangelism without a commitment to personal godliness is a waste of time