How do we overcome our fear of witnessing, turning our fear into fervor for Jesus? My last blog proposed that the first step is always prayer. Opening our heart in humility and honesty to the Lord and addressing our struggle should always be our first option. Understanding our gospel obligation, seeing the great need, and being confident in our message should lead us to pray for the courage to witness, for opportunities to witness, and for specific people who need the Savior.

Today, I’m addressing another key element in overcoming your anxiety about sharing your faith which is being prepared. Feeling unprepared will definitely damper one’s evangelistic zeal. Being ready to share the gospel at any moment requires knowing three things.

1. Knowing the Truth

Having a working knowledge of Scripture is key to gaining confidence in witnessing. The Apostle Peter exhorts that if “you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But you must do this in a gentle and respectful way.” (1 Peter 3:15 NLT) Paul admonished young Timothy to “work hard so God can approve you. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 NLT)

The better versed you are in the Word of God the more effective you will be in your witness. Do you feel confident in your own Bible knowledge? Do you spend time studying the Scriptures on your own? Early on in my Christian life I witnessed to someone who asked me a Bible question I could not answer. That incident spurred me on to study the Word like I never had. Just remember, Biblical knowledge should never be used just to win an argument. The goal is to plant the seed of God’s Word in the hearts of people.

2. Knowing the Times

Confidence in witnessing will grow as you become more familiar with cultural issues and are able to address some of the major objections people have against Christianity. Understanding the times in which we live and being able to communicate with a Biblically illiterate society is crucial in today’s evangelism.

For example, people nowadays are less willing to listen to a gospel presentation that isn’t fleshed out in consistent concern for the poor, the disadvantaged, or the oppressed. Deed ministry and word ministry must always go together. It’s been said that people can readily discern three things about people who witness to them: 1) If you mean what you say, 2) if you genuinely care about them, and 3) if you know what you’re talking about.

Two books I would recommend to give you a better understanding of our times are both by Timothy Keller. The first is “The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism,” and “Making Sense of God: An Invitation to the Skeptical.” Both volumes helped me better relate to unbelievers who have predispositions against Christianity.

3. Knowing the Target

The target is always Jesus. Effective evangelism presents the claims of Jesus, the love of Jesus, and what he has done to demonstrate that love. Certainly, we should invite people to church but the most important thing we can do is to always bring the conversation back to Jesus. The goal is getting the gospel into people’s heads and hopefully into their hearts. The gospel is all that God has done for us through the person and work of Jesus Christ and that message is still the power of God unto salvation.

Being prepared is to a great degree a reflection of one’s personal devotion to Jesus. Having a heart of gratitude and living in communion with the One who died in our place makes witnessing a joy. Use your own testimony to tell others what he’s done for you. Always seek to bring our Lord into every conversation with that person who so desperately needs him.