Sharing Your Faith

The Question Jesus commanded his followers to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matt. 28:19). But how do we share our faith in a pluralistic, skeptical world without being pushy or disrespectful?

Background The Greek word for witness, μάρτυς (martys), is the root of "martyr" — those who witnessed with their lives. The Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20) and Acts 1:8 ("You will be my witnesses") are foundational to Christian mission. But the method and scope of "sharing faith" have been understood very differently across traditions. The word εὐαγγελίζω (euangelizō, "to proclaim good news") focuses on the content: it is "good news," not threatening news.

🟤 Evangelical View Sharing the Gospel is both a privilege and a responsibility. Every believer is called to be a witness — through words and life. Romans 10:14 asks, "How can they hear without someone preaching to them?" People need to hear the Good News to respond to it.

Effective evangelism is: - Relational — Building genuine friendships, not treating people as "projects." The "oikos" (household/network) model of evangelism recognizes that faith spreads most naturally through existing relationships. - Personal — Sharing your own story (testimony) is powerful. No one can argue with what God has done in your life. - Clear — The Gospel message should be simple and understandable: God loves you, sin separates us from God, Christ died and rose for us, we respond in faith. - Respectful — We plant seeds; the Holy Spirit brings growth (1 Cor. 3:6). We are not responsible for the outcome, only for faithfulness.

Peter instructs: "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" (1 Pet. 3:15).

Key Scripture: - Matthew 28:19-20 — Go and make disciples of all nations - Romans 10:14-15 — How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news - Acts 1:8 — You will be my witnesses - 1 Peter 3:15 — Always be prepared to give an answer, with gentleness and respect

Practical Application:

Identify three people in your life who don't know Christ. Pray for them regularly. Look for natural opportunities to share what God means to you. Invite them to church or a small group. Live a life that makes people curious about your faith.

🟢 Progressive View The best evangelism is incarnational — lived out through love, justice, and authentic community rather than through verbal persuasion alone. Francis of Assisi is often quoted: "Preach the Gospel at all times; when necessary, use words." While the attribution is disputed, the principle resonates: our lives are our most powerful sermon.

The progressive perspective is cautious about evangelism that disrespects other faiths, uses fear or manipulation, or reduces complex human beings to "conversion targets." In a pluralistic world, interfaith dialogue, mutual learning, and humble witness are more faithful than aggressive proselytizing.

This does not mean being silent about Christ. It means letting our actions authenticate our words. When we welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, stand with the marginalized, and build just community, we embody the Gospel in ways that words alone cannot achieve. As the PCUSA's Book of Order states, the church is called to "a new openness to the world," practicing mission as mutual partnership rather than one-way proclamation.

The "oikos" concept is deeply relevant here: our communities of belonging (household, neighborhood, workplace) are where faith is shared most naturally — not through programs but through genuine relationship and love.

Key Scripture: - Matthew 5:16 — Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds - John 13:35 — By this everyone will know that you are my disciples: if you love one another - Micah 6:8 — Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly - 1 John 3:18 — Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth

Practical Application: Be a person of genuine love and integrity. When people ask about your faith — and they will — share honestly and humbly. Practice hospitality. Work for justice. Create community where people feel safe to explore faith at their own pace.

Discussion Questions 1. What is the most effective way you've seen faith shared? What made it work? 2. How do we respect people of other faiths while being faithful to our own? 3. What does the word "evangelism" make you feel, and why?

Bridging the Two Views Both perspectives agree that Christian faith is meant to be shared, not hoarded. Both value authenticity, relationships, and respect. The evangelical emphasis on verbal proclamation and the progressive emphasis on incarnational witness are both found in Jesus's own ministry: he preached the Kingdom AND he healed the sick, fed the hungry, and ate with sinners. Perhaps the most compelling witness combines both: a life that embodies the Gospel and a voice that can name the Hope within.

As this 20-week series concludes, our prayer is that Oikos — our household of faith — would be a community where honest questions are welcomed, diverse perspectives are honored, and the love of Christ is both proclaimed and lived.