1. Prayer - prayer is vital in preparing the hearts of people to receive the word of God. All evangelism should start and finish in prayer.

If we think about it, most of us who know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior can probably look back and think of someone who prayed for them to be saved. It might be an elderly grandmother or another family member, even a friend or a work mate.

• Prayer softens people and makes them open to the message. Even the hardest heart can soften over a period of time. Never give up when praying for someone - remember the apostle Paul, he once persecuted Christians!
• I always pray 4 things when I am praying for a particular persons salvation - 1. Holy Spirit draw them to Jesus. 2. Holy Spirit convict them of their sin. 3. Holy Spirit show them their need for a Savior and 4. Lord unveil their eyes.
• Prayer also helps you to know who to speak to and how to approach sharing the gospel. Speaking to the right person in God's time brings success, speaking at the wrong time can turn someone off drive them away.

2. Build relationships - The greatest evangelistic tool is love nothing brings people into God's kingdom more effectively than building relationships.

• Be interested in people and find out what they enjoy doing and do it with them. This brings you to a new level in your relationship. If you know someone from work, you can only know them to a certain point, but when you have them over for a meal or do something socially things go just that bit deeper. If someone likes golf I will put myself out to have a game!
• Building relationships allows us to get to know people and then enables us to speak into their lives. You will soon realise that when they have a problem in their lives you are the one they come to.

3. Use various tools - There are a variety of evangelistic tools that you can use to reach people. A tract with a simple gospel message, an audio or video tape, or book is a great way. I always have a tract in my wallet.

• Sometimes it is not easy to talk to someone or you may not have time. A simple tract may be all you need.
• I actually got saved through a tract a friend gave me. We had built a relationship and I got to the point where I was searching and asked if he had anything I could read. He pulled a tract out and I took it home to read. It made sense and I prayed and asked Jesus in to my heart.
• Having something with you at all times can come in handy. Sometimes people seem to want to talk about things at the strangest times. Having something on hand can help.

4. Testimony - The Bible says people will be saved "by the word of your testimony". A testimony can bring the Bible to life. People can always argue with something in Scripture or try to get you side tracked, but people can't argue with your experience. People love hearing stories of how God has done great things.

• A good place to start is something good the Lord has done for you. It doesn't have to be your life story, just something short and to the point.
• I actually have several short testimonies ready, depending on the situation. If it is someone who is suffering I might share about how God healed me of my RA. If they are lonely or depressed I share the difference Christ has made in my life. If they can't see anything good in the future or have lost hope, I share how Christ has given me hope, direction and a purpose for living.
• When preparing a testimony try to break it into three sections. 1. Before Christ - what your life was like before Christ. 2. Your conversion - How you came to ask Christ into your life? 3. After Christ - How you life has changed?

5. Prepare a statement of faith - Most churches or Christian organisations have a statement of faith.

• Some use really big words that I can't even pronounce, but it is important to have something in place to show what they stand for and so like-minded people can join or support them.
• Just as churches have statements of faith, as individual Christians it can help us too. I have a simple 4 point plan. When I am sharing I try to touch on one or all of these. 1. God created everything 2. Man sinned and was separated. 3. Jesus died and paid sins price 4 Faith in Jesus brings restoration.
• These can be expanded on depending on time or as you are lead. But they are a good foundation to keep in mind.

6. Know relevant Bible verses - Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, Acts 4:12, Revelation 3:20, John 1:12, Romans 10:13. Write them in back of your Bible.

• Memorise them. Work out a simple presentation by putting a few verses together, practice it to an audio tape and listen back.
• If you can't remember them all, remember the first one and put references to the next one in your margin of your Bible.

7. Think about questions people may ask - Many people have big questions that act as sticking points, which prevent them from going further in accepting Christ. Some can be like a minor bump in the road, others can be like a roadblock. If you can put these questions to rest, they can

• Why is there so much suffering in this world if there is a loving God? How could a loving God send people to hell if they don't believe in Him? Why is Christ the only way?
• It is a great idea to have answers ready, especially Biblical answers. Just remember to keep bringing the conversation back to Jesus. It is very easy to get caught up in side issues.

Summary

Sharing your faith doesn't have to be a scary thing. If you take some time and be prepared it will be a lot easier and can actually be enjoyable.

Closing Prayer

Lord,

We just thank you now for what You have done for us.
We thank You that You came and died for us on the cross to pay the price for our sin.
We thank You that You loved us so much that You reached out to save us.
We pray today Lord for our friends and family who don't know You.
We pray that You will reach out to them with Your love.
Holy Spirit draw them to Jesus Christ.
Holy Spirit convict them of their sin.
Holy Spirit show them their need for a Savior and Lord unveil their eyes.
We also pray Lord for ourselves.
We pray You will help us to be prepared for when an opportunity arises.
Give us courage and wisdom, help us to know what to say and help us to be a link in the chain that leads our loved ones to Christ.

We ask this in Jesus name,
Amen