The way I was brought up to share my faith doesn’t work.

I was told that, in order to rightly share your faith, all you needed to do was walk someone down the “Romans Road.”  Ever heard of it?

The progression goes from Romans 3:23 to 6:23 to 5:8 to 10:13, and finally to 10:9-10.

I’m so thankful the book of Romans was written so that we would have a “road” to walk.  Aren’t you?  (*insert sarcastic smile*)

I mean, the road is “right” theologically.  It’s an airtight, albeit brief, presentation of the Gospel.  Methodologically, though, it is based on a superficial understanding of the Gospel, that the Gospel is really just about having the right knowledge.  And that if you can clearly and succinctly communicate those points to a nonbeliever (without looking at your notes…because apparently nonbelievers hate notes.  Unless, of course, you’re sharing the Truth via the EvangeCube, which gives you a slick prop to use), you’ve done your job.  Check that off your spiritual to-do list for the day.

Frankly, I don’t think that could be further from the Truth.

We are often looking for a simplified, step-by-step plan to sharing our faith.    But utilizing a plan that encourages you to parrot the “right” answer to random passersby doesn’t give you much hope of a positive response.

I think that you spell evangelism r-e-l-a-t-i-o-n-s-h-i-p-s.

To rip the relational side of evangelism out of sharing your faith makes the Truth that you share hollow and empty.

But to build your evangelism on the foundation of relationships that you’re forming with your family, friends, coworkers, barista, small group member, mechanic, waitress, barber, tour guide, workout buddy, and neighbor…that’s where evangelism moves from mere cold, hollow words to a message of hope.  From a message of judgment and condemnation to a pronouncement of freedom.  From shallow platitudes to The Good News.

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. – 1 Corinthians 13:2

Have you ever led someone to Christ?

Was a relationship involved?