Sharing the Gospel – ‘God Talk’
Having understood the gospel, many of us are bursting to share the gospel with our friends – but where do we begin? It may seem weird to suddenly launch into a conversation with our non-Christian friends about Christianity. We could wait for our non-Christian friends to ask about our faith, but that may never come. To address this, Philip Jensen & Tony Payne (2003) challenge the participants of the Two Ways To Live course1 to pray fervently and add ‘God-talk’ to their everyday conversations.
1. Pray fervently
It is of utmost importance that we pray fervently as we seek to share the gospel. For we know that God is sovereign in bringing people to faith in Christ by his Spirit. But what should we pray?
a. Pray for opportunities to share the gospel
Paul regularly asked for an “open door for the word” (Col. 4:3) and that “the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honoured” (2 Thess. 3:1). We should pray that God would give us opportunities to speak the gospel to others.
b. Pray for boldness to seize opportunities when they come
Too many times we lose an opportunity to turn a conversation toward Christ. This may be because we are not actively seeking out such opportunities, but it may also be because we fear a loss of popularity or a breakdown in relationship. Praying that God would give us boldness gives us courage to fear God rather than man. It also helps us to be more alert to opportunities when they arise.
c. Pray for love for people
In the busyness of everyday life, it is easy to forget that the most loving thing we can do for people is to give them the gospel. We must be convinced that sharing the gospel is more important than merely a cup of tea or other acts of kindness. Thus, we should pray that we would love people enough to care about their salvation, and not just their physical needs.
2. Use “God Talk” to share the Gospel
In addition to prayer, Jensen and Payne exhort us to use “God Talk” in our daily conversations. “God Talk” is not the gospel per se, but a particular way of speaking that flows out of a born-again believer. It is speech that could present an opening for a gospel presentation.
a. Include Christian jargon and concepts
Using “God-talk” means that we will include Christian jargon like “God”, “Jesus”, “holiness”, “sin”, “forgiveness”, and “church”. Often we shy away from using these words in our everyday conversation with non-Christians, and thus censor the gospel from our conversations. Using these terms naturally in the course of conversation can open opportunities to explain the gospel more fully. However, we should take care to explain these words as we use them, as many non-Christians may be unfamiliar with them.
Moreover, we can build upon many of the Christian concepts that have influenced modern thought and discussion. We can turn the conversation to subjects like marriage, social equality, anti-racism, and justice. These concepts all arise from the gospel and Christian worldview. Our non-Christian friends continue to speak of them (and may even want to pursue them) even if they do not know the Author of these things.
b. Acknowledge God’s active involvement in his world
Christians should also acknowledge God’s active involvement in the world. It may require too much explanation to talk about God allowing a tsunami to take place (although this may open up another gospel conversation), but we can certainly speak of God sending the rain, holding up a building by His word, or giving us food (to explain why we say grace).
c. A Christian manner of speaking
“God Talk” also means we will speak the truth without guile, deceit, obscenity, foolish talk or coarse jesting (Eph. 4:25). Instead of these things, we should be full of thanksgiving (Eph. 5:4). We should not complain (Phil. 3:14, 1 Pet. 4:9). Our speech should be gracious, seasoned with salt, praising and thanking God for everything (Col. 4:6).
Many non-Christians will appreciate this way of speaking and agree that such speech builds relationships. But Christians have a different motivation for speaking this way. We do not do it to gain friends or popularity. We do it to honour Christ. Our speech is to be an outward expression of who we are on the inside as people changed by the gospel. Nevertheless, such speech will often commend us and the gospel to others.
Adding on to what Philip Jensen and Tony Payne have mentioned above, I would add the following:
3. Care for family and friends
In addition to praying that we might love our family and friends, showing real and practical concern is a great way to eventually engage in gospel conversations. When we are genuinely concerned about the lives of our friends and family, people may reciprocate and want to find out what is going on in our lives too. That’s when it becomes so appropriate to use God-talk! Besides, it is what Christians are called to do – to love others. Through caring for them, we can also find out and help them figure out what makes them happy or sad, worried or excited. Such conversations help us to understand their worldview, and thus the best way to address them with the gospel.
4. Focus on one-to-one conversations
Wherever possible, it is helpful is to engage our family and friends in one-to-one settings. It is usually difficult to steer group conversations (of 3 or more people) towards the gospel unless a huge controversy is brewing in the news. Even then, we may only be able to put forward our perspective rather than get people to examine their own. If we were in a position of authority, we would want to be even more cautious in steering conversations towards the gospel, lest we be manipulating people emotionally, or worse, be seen as an arrogant know-it-all. Hence, in group conversations, it is probably more appropriate to engage in “all-talk” (such as about news and current affairs) so that we are not perceived as poor and uncaring team members who only socialise when there is God-talk. Yet, we should still be alert for opportunities to bring “God Talk” into such situations. Praise God if the conversation opens up an opportunity for a gospel presentation and people listen in.
In group settings, consider opting for one-to-one conversations with the person to your left or right instead of engaging the group. Put to practice what has already been mentioned about prayer, “God Talk” and showing genuine concern for others. Do not be discouraged with regular small conversations with one individual at a time. You may be surprised over time, at how many more gospel opportunities such conversations bring compared to regular large group conversations.
Reference:
- Jensen P. & Payne T. (2003). Two Ways to Live: Know and share the gospel. Kingsford, NSW: Matthias Media
- The image above is taken from John Rothra
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Ming Fei Lau is a member of Bethany Trinity Presbyterian Church in Singapore. He believed the gospel and made many Malaysian Christian friends while studying in Sydney between 2008 and 2013. He is now back in Singapore working as a doctor and studying at the Evangelical Theological College of Asia part-time. He is married to Jeanette and they love going on nature walks and watching Korean variety shows and detective dramas together! But more than that they deeply desire continued gospel growth, especially in Asia.
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