How to Be More Evangelistic in 2012

(Originally written for the folks at Grace Bible Church, Escondido, Ca.)

At the beginning of most years many folks are making resolutions. some of those resolutions involve quitting bad habits or starting up good ones. Some determine that this will be the year that they accomplish some big goal and put a check on their bucket list. I have a challenge for you in 2012: an adventurous, thrilling resolution that is pleasing to God and carries with it a monumental . . . eternal significance . . . be an evangelist. Resolve in 2012 to be more evangelistic. Make this year that you step outside of that comfort zone a little more. Here are a few tips and suggestions that can help get you started.

1. Carry tracts with you. Resolve this year to always have tracts with you. I am a forgetful person, so I place tracts everywhere so that I will always have them on me. And don't just carry them around, give them away and leave them for people to read.

2. Pray for the Lost's Salvation. Make a list of lost people you know and pray first for them that our sovereign God would be pleased to save them. Weep over their soul and cry out to the Lord to have mercy on these sinners. This is also a way to stoke your heart for evangelism.

3. Pray for the needs of the Lost . . . And Tell Them You Did. People love to talk about themselves and often their problems. When your lost relatives, friends or co-workers tell you theirs tell them you will pray for them and their concerns. Or, if you know of a distress or need in their life without them having voiced it to you, pray for them, and then let them know you prayed for them. They will see this love and concern that you have for them and the Lord may grant this as a road that leads to sharing the Gospel (and should).

4. Join-in on an Evangelism Outing. Throughout the year GBC's Evangelism Ministry has plenty of evangelism outings. This year, resolve to at least join in one of them.

5. Read a Book on Evangelism. There are some good books on evangelism in Book Room on the Evangelism Shelves for checking out that will encourage and instruct you in biblical evangelism. If you have never read one before I wold recommend "God Has a Wonderful Plan for Your Life: The Myth of Modern Evangelism" by Ray Comfort or "Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God" By J.I. Packer.

6. Do Evangelism Lunches. Invite someone out to lunch with the objective of sharing the Gospel with them. In this way your not "waiting for an opportunity" to tell them about Jesus, but making one.

7. Use Social Networking. Sure, you may lose a Facebook "friend" or two but at least they may have been able to read about the Gospel from something you have posted. You can post Scriptures, links to evangelistic articles, or "tract websites" (sites that are themselves interactive tracts, like www.needgod.com).

These are just a few simple and easy suggestions to start becoming more evangelistic and fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. May the Lord find us faithful in 2012.