We believe that four spiritual disciplines are essential to becoming a fully devoted follower of Christ. The fourth discipline is sharing the message of Jesus Christ with those who do not yet know Him personally.

The Bible makes it clear that sharing our faith is a non-negotiable part of being a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. In Mark 16:15, Jesus tells us to go into all the world and preach the message of Jesus Christ to every person. In 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul instructs Timothy and us to “preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season,” and in 2 Timothy 4:8 to “do the work of an evangelist.” The risen Lord Jesus Himself told us to go share His message with people, and His orders supersede all other orders.

Every human being that is alive is facing God’s judgment for sin. Romans 3:9 tells us that Jews and Gentiles alike are under sin, and Romans 3:23 tells us that we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. None of us can escape God’s judgment by human performance. Romans 3:20 teaches us that “…no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by observing the Law,” and the only way to escape God’s judgment and gain eternal life is through Jesus Christ. Romans 3:21-22 says that now, God offers us a righteousness from Himself, apart from human performance, through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. Those who do not accept Christ are left to face God’s judgment unprotected and face eternal punishment in hell. The early church had an unflinching commitment to sharing this truth, and we need to do the same. Jesus is our role model for the discipline of sharing. Jesus spent three years meeting physical, emotional and spiritual needs. He commanded people to repent and place their faith in Him. He modeled the discipline of sharing for His disciples and commanded them to do likewise.

A lifestyle of sharing the gospel requires discipline. We must learn to clearly articulate our testimony and answer questions and objections to Christianity. While we don’t have to have all the answers, we should strive to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15).

We must intentionally cultivate relationships with non-believers and pray for their salvation. We must have the courage to obey when the Holy Spirit prompts us to speak up, even in uncomfortable situations. We must lead lives of character and integrity, since our actions speak louder than our words.

Jesus declared in John 14:6, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” So sincerity, zeal for God or good works will never be the basis by which one gains eternal life, and we must share this news with everyone we meet. John 3:36 echoes this, “Whoever believes in the Son (Jesus Christ) has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”  Romans 1:20 teaches us that “…since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen…”  The Bible tells us that there is enough about God revealed in the natural world and in creation that every human being alive should recognize that there is a mighty creator God in the universe.

Fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ know that apart from Jesus Christ, every single person they encounter is separated from God, under God’s judgment and headed for disaster when they enter eternity. Fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ are passionate about reaching these people – we want you to be, too.

Resources to help you share

McLean Bible has many ministry resources to help you share the message of Jesus Christ. For example, McLean University offers Christianity 301, which helps you articulate your testimony, identify your evangelistic style, and learn to answer basic questions and objections to the Christian faith.

Our Impact Loudoun team develops outreach events, activities, and promotional materials to provide opportunities for secular neighbors to engage with Christ.

In addition, we hold many events and worship services that are specifically designed for you to invite friends who do not yet know Christ. These include special services at Thanksgiving.

To hear Lon’s message on Sharing the Message of Jesus Christ, click here.

To take a short self-assessment about your personal evangelism, click here.