We’re Answering Your 4 Most-Asked Questions About Sharing Your Faith

When was the last time you shared your faith with someone? 

Here at I Am Second, we want to answer the tough questions we get from you when it comes to sharing your faith. When we say “sharing your faith,” we mean simply telling people how Jesus has radically transformed your life. So I asked Taylor Wooldrige, our ministry manager, for a list of the BIGGEST questions our I Am Second Community asks so we can bring y’all some encouragement. Grab your pen, paper or phone, and get ready to have your top four most-asked questions about sharing your faith answered! 

Q1: What if I don’t know everything?  

A: “Sometimes people feel like they don’t know how to start or engage in conversations about the gospel. They also feel like they don’t know enough to have a conversation about faith with someone,” said Taylor.

Does that sound familiar? I know personally, I do better in any situation – from work presentations to sharing my story – if I’m prepared. Knowing the facts and practicing gives me way more confidence. It also cements the knowledge in my head and heart and frees me to focus on the person I’m talking to instead of doing mental gymnastics to make sure I get it all in there. You don’t have to know the whole Bible or have gone to seminary to share your story well. Just share how God has moved in your life, how he saved you, and you’re sure to make an impact. (For anyone looking for training in how to share your story, we have I Am Second Coaches who can help you.)

Q2: Should I look for opportunities to share my story or just wait? 

A: “People decide to wait for opportunities rather than actively seeking them out. They do not have established habits or plans when it comes to sharing their faith. This approach is not necessarily bad, but the reality is, when I tried this approach, I very rarely had opportunities come up and, therefore, I never shared the gospel with anyone. It was not until I started actively seeking out those conversations that I started sharing my faith. I have heard so many similar stories from other people as well,” said Taylor.

I think a lot of us fall into this category. Unfortunately, we live in a world that often rejects and mocks Christianity. Some of us have been let go for sharing our faith in the workplace and others have been socially rejected. It’s a really hard line to walk. Which is why I think a lot of us think that living out our walk is a good enough witness. Like Taylor said, it’s not bad, but we should be ready to take it further and share the gospel when God prompts us. We should look for opportunities rather than resting in the comfort zone of thinking that what we’re doing is enough. 

Q3: Am I called to share my faith? 

A: “Some people do not see sharing their faith as part of their role or calling; they do not understand how it is part of their identity and purpose. Instead, they think it is other people's calling – like their pastor or outgoing friend. Additionally, I have met believers that just didn't even know that they should be sharing the gospel. It was never talked about at their church or in their Christian circles so they didn’t even know that it is something they should/could do,” said Taylor.

I think this is so common. We all come from different backgrounds and exposures. Like Taylor said, some people were raised in churches that taught the biblical principle of sharing your faith, and some people began their walk as adults and are still figuring things out. Just to be clear, the answer is yes; as Christians, we were made to share the hope of Jesus with others. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus tells us to go and make disciples. Friend, that’s our purpose. That’s the one thing we need to do with our time here. It’s not becoming rich and famous; it’s not getting married; it’s not achieving our dreams – it’s telling people about Jesus and how he loves them so much that he died on a cross to pay for their sin and enable them to be with him in heaven forever.

Q4: What if I don’t feel prepared to share? 

A: “Believers need vision to know WHY they need to be sharing their faith, but beyond just knowing the ‘why,’ they also need to be equipped with tools and strategies to actually do it. Barna has come out with several studies displaying statistics about how most believers never make a disciple in their entire life. Through the Made to Multiply trainings we do, we have found that the reason these statistics are so high is because believers do not know the answers to these questions: Why should I make disciples? Who should I share the gospel with? What should I say when I share my faith? When will I share the gospel and make disciples?” said Taylor.

This is SO powerful in our culture today. Our world is smaller and more connected than ever thanks to the internet and social media, but people feel more disconnected and lonely. I get it. It’s hard to find people that truly love you and will invest in you, especially when you’re in your twenties. I remember feeling like I was going through a different version of middle school when I was in my twenties – awkward interactions, finding people with the same interests, figuring out who I wanted and needed to surround myself with. Finding new friends in college and church was challenging. A lot of people are focused on jump-starting their careers and finding their spouse, which can sometimes make connections, even among believers, a little shallow. People move a lot during that time as well and friend groups are very fluid, so it’s hard to find people you can open up to and share your struggles with.

My best advice is to keep trying. Be consistent, be the kind of person you’re looking for and, of course, pray. Ask God for friends that can pour into you and help you as you share your faith with others. Ecclesiastes 4:10 says that it’s good to have friends, especially in our darkest times. Keep looking for ways to get connected and practice the discipline of staying connected; God will bring helpful people into your life.

There you have it! Our answers to four of the biggest questions we get from the I Am Second Community on a regular basis. Still have questions? Good, we have resources that we’d love to share with you to keep the conversation going. See what Living Second is all about today.