I think I could count the number of times I have directly shared the gospel prior to coming to Mexico. Not necessarily a resume builder when you think of a missionary. I have spent some time thinking over what the reason for that may have been. Maybe a lack of confidence, a fear of rejection or judgement, but I think the simplest reason was a lack of understanding. Those of us that have grown up in church or been surrounded by Christian family members have no doubt heard the Gospel many times over. But I would guess in a specific context. As a message of good news for the unbelievers, for the Gentiles of the world. One of the coolest parts of my time here so far has been rediscovering the gospel and using it as a tool to reach both the Gentiles and Israelites. I hope this may provide you some encouragement to share your faith with others!
Each month my team reads a book together. I appreciate the emphasis placed on continued education. Throughout March we read a book called “Gospel Fluency” by Jeff Vanderstelt. I would really encourage you to read it if you are looking for more opportunities to evangelize wherever you may be! There were several sections to the book. The first addressed our own unbelief. Chapter 1 opens with a real slap in the face, “I am an unbeliever and so are you”. His point throughout the first section of the book is to address the areas where we know the truth of God’s word but still choose to be unbelievers. We know that His sacrifice was enough to save us all, but we still live with the constant oppression that comes with guilt and shame. We know that we can only be saved through his abounding grace but still try to work tirelessly to earn our salvation. We know that he calls us to love above all else but still hold pent up anger from years of holding onto a grudge. The author’s advice? Preach the gospel to yourself. Ask to understand it’s truth and believe in the power it possesses. Also, preach the gospel to more than just strangers or only people you think need it. Look for opportunities throughout the day to weave the gospel into everyday conversations. It will be difficult at first, as we are not yet fluent in this language. But with practice it becomes more natural.
Another important area of the book is quite simple, but cannot be understated. In order to be fluent in the gospel, you have to know it, inside and out. Reading it over and over again is a great start to truly understanding the hope we have been given. The author discusses that as we become more familiar with the context we can start to see small opportunities to share little parts in a natural way. I think a lot of us, as did I, have the idea that in order to share the gospel we need this profound amount of time where we place our hand on someone's shoulder and tell them we have a story to tell them. And while yes, there may be a time and a place for this, I have come to notice that in relational evangelism (sharing the gospel through relationships) this is not the majority of the time. The majority of the time it comes through listening, to the specific words being spoken, but also listening for the emptiness or brokenness in your friend’s life and then being able to think of the gospel application that they can relate to most deeply.
Here is a cool story from just two weeks ago. It started in early February. My friend “Jeff” stumbled upon our english club and asked to join. He’s young, tall and lanky, studying here at UNAM. Throughout the conversation that day religion came up, as it usually does, and Jeff found out that I am a Christian; he was sure to share with me that he was not. We talked a little more about all that but not much more came of this conversation. Flash forward a few month and he returned to English Club. After, he came to eat in the cafeteria with us where I was able to ask more questions about his family and childhood. He parents were both Mormon, but he said that he just couldn’t believe in that. He had tried. He read the books, and did the things but it never turned into faith for him. He told me about the rejection that had created in his family and the painful years he had gone through as a teenager and still today. I hesitated, but eventually said, at least you know that your parents love you. He paused a moment and said, “Well, my mom”. The pain in his eyes was evident. This young man, 19 or 20, had been rejected by his family, specifically by his father because he did not believe as they did. I knew I had an opportunity here and I was going to take it. I told our friend Jeff about the Father in heaven that I have. One that loves us so incredibly much, that even while we are sinners, apart from him, he sent his one and only son to die for us. So that we may have an opportunity to spend eternity in heaven with him surrounded by his unending love. I told him that this Father has already accepted us for who we are, he has forgiven our sin and sees us only as his children and that he loves us unconditionally. I also shared with him, that as his children, as Christians one of our greatest commandments is to love others as ourselves. Especially when we disagree with life decisions. Not to reject, but to love. He sat there silently, on the edge of his seat taking it all in. He was blown away and stated that he had never heard this side of Christianity before. He was full of questions and I ultimately invited him to our bible studies where he could learn more about what we talked about and that I would be happy to share more with him at our next English club. While our friend Jeff did not accept Christ that evening, I know that the seed has been planted and I hope you will join me in praying for “Jeff” as this semester comes to a close!
If you would like to read Gospel Fluency and are having a hard time finding it, let me know and I can send you a link!