Practical Ways to Share the Gospel in Daily Life

1. Prioritise People and Friendships

Jesus built relationships with people who were far from God—not just to preach at them, but because He genuinely loved them. In the same way, we should be intentional about making friends with people who are not yet Christians.

• Invest time in building genuine friendships, not just “projects” for evangelism.
• Invite people into your life—share meals, celebrate milestones, and show up in their lives.
• Love people as Jesus did, regardless of whether they ever come to faith.

One practical way to do this is by getting involved in activities where you can naturally meet people:

• Join a club, sport, or hobby group – This could be a running club, book club, language class, or any social activity where you can build friendships.
• Be intentional in your workplace – Take time to know your colleagues, join office events, and be a presence of kindness and encouragement.
• Engage in community events – Volunteer, join a local interest group, or be part of a neighbourhood initiative.

By putting ourselves in places where we can naturally connect with people, we create opportunities for friendships that can lead to gospel conversations.

Practical Exercises

1. Write Down Three Places You Regularly Go

• Who do you see there often? How can you start or deepen conversations with them?

2. Think of a Hobby or Activity You Could Join

• Consider joining a new group or club where you can meet new people and build relationships.

3. Merge your worlds! 

• Look for easy ways to introduce your non-Christian friends to your Christian friends. 

4. Pray for Open Doors

• Ask God to show you opportunities to share your faith naturally.

2. Live a Life That Makes People Curious

Before people are ready to hear the gospel, they often need to see it lived out. Our actions should reflect Jesus so that people ask, “What makes you different?”

• Be kind, patient, and generous.
• Serve others without expecting anything in return.
• Show peace and joy even in difficult situations.
• Apologise and seek reconciliation when you make mistakes.

Peter encourages us: 

“Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15)

When our lives reflect Christ, people will naturally ask about our faith.

When our lives are radically counter-cultural, people will notice! When we display kingdom values of generosity, purity of speech and action, our lives will look very different from those around us. This means we need to feel ok with being considered weird or different from the world around us. When people notice and ask (or comment!) we have an opportunity to talk about faith and Jesus.

3. Be Open About Your Faith

Sometimes we hesitate to mention church or our faith because we fear awkwardness. But talking about Jesus doesn’t have to be forced. Here are some natural ways to bring up faith:

• Mention something from your church or Bible reading in conversation: “At church on Sunday, we were talking about forgiveness…”
• Offer to pray for people when they share a problem: “I believe God cares—would you mind if I prayed for you?”
• Share a personal story of how God has helped you in a real-life situation.

When we talk about Jesus as naturally as we talk about any other part of life, people become more open to spiritual conversations.

4. Ask Good Questions and Listen Well

Jesus often asked questions that led to deep conversations. Instead of just looking for opportunities to talk, focus on listening well. "Tell me your story" is one of the most powerful things we can say (as long as we then actually listen!) Ask questions like:

• "Have you ever had a spiritual experience?"
• "If God were real, what would you want to ask Him?"
• "What gives you hope in difficult times?"

Genuine curiosity shows love and respect, which makes people more open to hearing your perspective.

Be prepared to give your own answer to the same questions you've just asked, and try to answer without using Christianese! For example, if you ask someone "Have you ever had a spiritual experience?" and they ask the same question back, it's probably not helpful to say "Yes, someone laid hands on me and I received the gift of tongues!"  

5. Use Everyday Moments as Gospel Opportunities

You don’t have to wait for the perfect moment to talk about Jesus. Look for appropriate small openings in everyday conversations.

• Look for opportunities to connect with others, whether it's through shared interests, experiences, or struggles. 
• Be willing to share how the gospel has impacted your life and the hope you find in Christ. 
• Sharing the gospel takes time and effort, so be patient and persistent in your efforts. 

Watch the video below for more tips and advice on how to bring Jesus into everyday conversations.

6. Pray for Opportunities

Ask God to provide open doors for evangelism. A simple daily prayer:

"Lord, give me an opportunity to share Your love today. Help me to see the people You are drawing to Yourself."

God answers these prayers in unexpected ways!

Reflection Questions

• Do people around you know you are a Christian? Why or why not?
• How can you bring faith into your conversations more naturally?
• What steps can you take to build friendships with non-Christians?

Further Resources

Story Bearer: How to share your faith with your friends - Phil Knox - This book inspires every Christian to see themselves as a story bearer.

The Gospel Comes With a Housekey - Rosaria Butterfield - a really helpful book on how we can use“radical, ordinary hospitality” to bring the gospel to our lost friends

The Art of Neighboring– Jay Pathak & Dave Runyon – A book on building real friendships with those around you.

Tim Chester– A Meal with Jesus – On using hospitality for mission.

Rebecca Manley Pippert – Out of the Saltshaker – A great book on natural evangelism.

Alpha Course – A great way to invite friends to explore Christianity in a relaxed setting.