How do you share the gospel with others? How should we share the gospel with others?

There are 2 general approaches to evangelism. The approach we are the most familiar with in America is the Road to Damascus approach. This is how the Apostle Paul was saved.

As he (Paul) neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Acts 9:3-6

This approach could be summed up with the word event. A one time event, program, service, physical appearance of Jesus, etc. issues an evangelism call and people respond to the call. This is where we evangelize by bringing someone to Church or a revival crusade to hear the gospel hoping they will respond.

I want to suggest to you that the Road to Damascus or event model of evangelism does not work as well in the West as it has in the past. We need to use a new approach to telling people about Jesus called the Road to Emmaus approach. Do you remember the story of 2 people walking with Jesus after He had been resurrected from the dead? They didn’t recognize Him until after talking all day with Him and asking questions.

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” ]….As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. Acts 24:13-17; 28-31

This approach could be summed up with the word process. It took time and many conversations and questions before their eyes were opened. It was a process of understanding not an event that triggered salvation. This is because people don’t have the Christian background anymore to respond instantly to the gospel message. We are more secular than generations in the past.

So what does this have to do with me? Simple. Are there people around you that don’t know Jesus and they won’t come to Church events? Then just befriend them and walk down their road of life with them at their own pace. Have conversations with them and answer whatever questions about spiritual things they may have. Don’t get discouraged if people don’t respond to an event, it just means they will get saved by a process over time.