However, most people would agree that engaging in street evangelism or faith conversations can be daunting. You wonder, “What should I say?” “How should I start the conversation?” In this study, we will answer these questions.

It is important to know and establish that there are different sects of people— believers and unbelievers alike, who believe various wild and false things about the Bible, about Jesus and salvation. This is why we must be intentional in our evangelism, learning what to say, how to present it, and why we preach.

Acts‬ ‭8‬:‭‬31
New King James Version ‬‬

30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.”‭‭

For context, this scripture tells the story of the Ethiopian Eunuch reading scriptures while riding in his chariot. Then, the Holy Spirit led Philip to meet him. When Philip met him, he didn’t understand what he was reading.

In our day, some people are like this; people who either have heard of God or know some things about God but do not believe in the truth of the gospel. Some people don’t even know the message of the gospel. And this is why we have to ascertain what they believe and then present the true and sound doctrine to them.

The Bible shows us in Acts 8:35 that Philip opened his mouth and began preaching Jesus to him. As you step out as labourers in God’s harvest, there is a message you are going out to preach. What is this message? The gospel.

What then can you say about the gospel? It is important to mention these details while preaching:

1. The nature of God.

There are attributes of God. This means that when we look at God, we can tell some characteristics of His based on His relation with man. Some of these attributes are love, holiness, and justice.

2. The Sin Problem.

Along with knowing that God is just, we need to know that this justice pertains to us too. We have all done wrong because the Bible says:

Romans‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬ ‭‬‬
New King James Version

23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

‭‭When Adam sinned, the propensity to sin entered the fabric of humanity. We are all sinners, imperfect. Nobody can escape this.

The Bible says in:

Romans‬ ‭6‬:‭23‬ ‭
New King James Version

23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

‭‭The world is tending towards death. And this is why there is a problem. People need to understand that without Jesus, damnation is humanity’s destiny. This is why they need the good news.

3. The Good news

Now, what is this good news?

The only person who is without sin and can take the sin of man is God himself— this is why God came as Jesus. Jesus was born perfect, without sin. And because of His perfection, He was able to take all our sins and be a substitute for us.

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭21‬ ‭
New King James Version ‬‬

21 “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

How did He do this? Essentially, we owed a debt we couldn’t pay and Christ paid a debt He didn’t owe by dying on the cross with our sins.

4. The Need to Believe

You need to communicate to people that the only way that the things that Jesus has done for them can be written to their account is by believing that Jesus died and rose again. Believing that Jesus died is believing that He has paid for your sins and you are now saved.

As good as this is, how you present this message is also important. You can practice several evangelism methods.

Sometimes, people can be receptive and in those cases, you can go straight to the point and explain the gospel message.

For others, conversation starters are questions or phrases that can lead you to the gospel without making it obvious. For example, “Where do you think we are going when we die?” and then based on the answer you can ask, “So, how do you pay for your sins?”, and then go ahead to present the gospel message.

Another good conversation starter is, “Are you a good person? ”Depending on their answer to that, you can go on to ask “Do you ever feel accountable for the bad you have done?”

Conversations may not always go smoothly. People may argue but don’t get entangled. Keep bringing the conversation back to the gospel. If conversations always end in arguments, you’ve lost focus.

Remember that this is a mandate given to you by God and you are to treat it as important. You are a key labourer in the harvest of souls in this generation, so you have to step up, speak out and play your part in reaching souls for the gospel.

Prayer Point:
Father from today, I step out with boldness into my community, preaching the truth of the gospel and carrying out the mandate I have been given. The gospel spreads and prevails on my account.