It's Harvest TimeSample

I used to hear the word evangelism and at times wanted to immediately turn the other way. Not because I didn’t want people to know about Jesus, but because I was afraid that would mean I had to awkwardly stand on a corner and yell in a blow horn, “Jesus is coming, repent and be saved.” And since I am more of an introverted extrovert, awkward moments make me sweat hard.

Although some are best confronted with the truth of God this way, in the New Testament, Jesus shows us that there are many other ways to lead people to the knowledge of who He is. There is only one way TO heaven, but there is more than one way to tell people about heaven.

Before I refresh your mind on ways to communicate Jesus for this harvest, let’s agree on this:

Telling a stranger about Jesus may feel awkward, but they're worth the risk.

Telling someone you know about Jesus may be awkward, but they're worth the risk.

You don’t have to be a Bible scholar to tell others about Jesus, however, the first step in telling someone about Jesus is knowing him yourself. Once you have spent time learning more about the One you are getting ready to introduce to others, here is what you can do:

1. Start a conversation about something of common interest and allow connection to help you go deeper.

2. Listen for an opportunity to insert God into your conversation in a non-aggressive and natural way.

3. Ask someone while you are out, “Are you a Jesus follower?” (This is what pastor Steve Witt does, to the extent he created IMAJF, which stands for “I'm a Jesus follower”—merchandise that prompts questions like, “What is IMAJF?”)

4. Reach out to someone on social media who has been posting things that indicate they are going through something and ask them if you can pray with them.

5. Send a text to someone you know who doesn’t follow Jesus but needs to be reminded that He loves them. Send something like this: “Hey, I was thinking of you, and just wanted you to know Jesus loves you! Have a great weekend!”

6. Say a silent prayer for someone who you see is in pain, and when you see them let them know, “I saw you in pain the other day, I said a prayer for you. How are you?”

7. Move forward in whatever God has told you to do for His kingdom so your completion of the assignment can create a pathway for the harvest he wants to send you. Then boldly share within your sphere of influence.

Have I given you enough to get ready and go? I hope so!

Remember, the heavenly applause far outweighs the earthly awkwardness.

It’s harvest time!

If you enjoyed this reading plan by Rachel G. Scott, you'll love the complementary guided journal she created called, Where to GROW from Here?:A 14-day guided journal to help you grow in your walk with God.Grab your copyHERE.