For an example of how to share the gospel, look no further than the superstar of Christmas Himself, Jesus Christ. His way is inviting, and it encourages unbelievers to be open and receptive to hearing His Word.
Can I be honest with you? I’m not very good at telling unbelievers about Jesus. Actually, when I’m around unbelievers, I kind of clam up and don’t know what I should say to help them believe.
Those of us who are members of the household of faith long for our unbelieving loved ones to come to know God the way that we do, but we sometimes struggle with how best to lead them to God. In some cases, we are afraid to push them away forever, especially if we have already been met with resistance in the past when we tried to share the gospel message with them.
The Christmas holiday unites us with family and friends, and sometimes it’s the only time of year we see them. So how do we make the most of this season by sharing the true Christmas message without our passion for their souls coming off as pushy, awkward, or uninviting?
So often, I convince myself that they’ve already heard the story a million times. A baby was born in a manger to a virgin. If they wanted to believe, they already would’ve by now, right?
However, as time goes on, the need to lead them to Christ becomes more urgent. For some, this Christmas may be the last time we’re in the same room as them; it could be the last chance to share the message of salvation with someone we love, and we can’t fathom the thought of losing them knowing their eternal plans are uncertain.
The Christmas season creates the perfect opportunity to share the good news of what God has done for us with our unbelieving friends and family because:
They are more open to hearing the Christmas story because it is familiar.
This time of year tends to hold more sentimental value and memories than other times.
Many anticipate the upcoming new year as a chance for a fresh start and an opportunity to make positive life changes.
We would be remiss if we did not take full advantage of this season to share the Christmas message with unbelievers.
What is the Christmas Message?
The Christmas message couldn’t be clearer—a Savior has been born.
When we pause to reflect on what this means for the world, we realize there is so much more to Christmas than a story about a baby being born in a manger. The birth of Jesus represents the fulfillment of God’s promise made on that fateful day in the garden (Genesis 3).
That’s why, when the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth, he announced:
“I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Luke 2:10 ESV
It’s what everyone had been waiting for. God’s promise to His people was finally fulfilled:
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 ESV
The children of God waited a long time for the Messiah to come and save them, to restore them to God, and to be the final sacrifice for their sin (Hebrews 10:1-18). For those that believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the message of Christmas is the best news ever.
John 3:16-17 (ESV) summarizes the Christmas message perfectly:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
We Must Share the Good News
Think about it: when something good happens to you, what’s the first thing you do? You tell others! You share it with them with the hope that they can partake in it too. This is the same way we should share the good news of the Christmas message.
When the shepherds saw baby Jesus, they were so amazed that they immediately told everyone they could find that the Savior of the world had finally come (Luke 2:16-18).
I challenge you to have this same zeal for sharing the good news with those around you!
Look to Jesus for an Example
For an example of how to share the gospel, look no further than the superstar of Christmas Himself, Jesus Christ. His way is inviting, and it encourages unbelievers to be open and receptive to hearing His Word.
By studying how Jesus interacted with others, we can see the best ways to lead them to Him by:
Meeting them where they are (Matthew 9:9,John 4:4-30, Luke 19:1-10).
Finding common ground and being relatable (Matthew 13:13, Mark 10:45, Philippians 2:5-8).
Asking questions and being available when they have questions (John 5:5).
Not condemning or judging, but treating them with lovingkindness (Ephesians 5:2).
In doing so, it will open the door to telling them about the good news of the Christmas message.
Let's discuss four ways to share the Christmas message with an unbeliever:
1. Explain That Jesus Is the Gift
What's one thing we all love about Christmas? The presents, of course! Whether it's giving or receiving, gifts are often the central focus of the season. Our society is obsessed with the gift-giving part of Christmas. However, Christmas is actually all about the undeserving gift of Jesus. He is the reason we celebrate Christmas.
“The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 ESV
This Christmas season, as you exchange gifts with your friends and family, take the opportunity to tell them about God’s gift to us. Without the gift of God's Son, we would not have a reason to celebrate.
2. Describe What This Gift Means to You
The best way to tell others about Jesus is to tell them what He means to you.
Recount what it was like when you decided to receive the gift of salvation. By sharing your personal testimony of what God has done for you, you make the gift of Jesus valid and credible. After all, people love success stories!
Throughout Jesus’ ministry, He performed many miracles, such as healing the sick, casting out demons, restoring sight to the blind, and making the lame walk. Jesus literally changes lives. He often told the recipients of his miracles to tell others what He did for them, like in Mark 5:19-20 ESV:
"'Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.' And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.”
As you describe how Jesus has changed your life for the better, the hope is that they will see God’s amazing work in your life and will want what you have.
“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!” Psalm 105:1-2 ESV
3. Explain That This Gift Lasts Forever
The gifts we receive on Christmas morning won’t last forever. Yet, the gift of God is eternal life, and when you receive God’s gift, you receive an imperishable crown (1 Corinthians 9:25).
Jesus spoke about material possessions and how they won’t last forever. There is only one thing that will last forever, and that’s what we treasure in our hearts (Matthew 6:19-20). If we choose to receive God’s gift, our treasure is Jesus Christ and the salvation and eternal life that only come through Him (John 14:6, Ephesians 2:8-9).
When you tell your friends and family about this gift, they need to know that once they receive it, it’s theirs forever. There’s nothing they can do to lose it, and nothing that can ever take it away from them (Romans 8:37-39, 1 Peter 1:4-5).
“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.” John 10:28-29 ESV
4. Make the Gift Desirable
Gifts should always be something the receiver loves. The gift of the Christmas message is how God’s love came down to earth in the form of the most lovable being there is—a newborn baby.
The gift of eternal life and salvation is a gift of love and not of condemnation (John 3:16-17). When we choose to receive this gift, our lives are transformed into something amazing. Our sins are washed away and removed from us (1 John 1:9).
Psalm 103:8-12 ESV describes to us how God’s love and the gift of salvation works:
“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.”
Just as Jesus didn't come to condemn the world, we also must not allow our passion for sharing the gospel to morph into condemnation. Doing so would only push them away and potentially close the door forever.
When you share the message with your unbelieving friends and family, if they readily accept it, the only thing left to do is continue loving and praying for them so that one day their eyes may be opened (Acts 26:18).
“Pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ… that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians 4:2-6 ESV
As you boldly share the Christmas message, remember how Jesus approached those in need of the Savior. As they became receptive to His Word, they allowed Him to tell of the gift of salvation. Once your loved ones allow you into their heart, they will be much more receptive to hearing you describe the gift of salvation.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/PeopleImages
Jennifer Jabbour resides in the scenic San Diego countryside with her husband, adult son, and teen daughter, and their hilarious English Bulldog. Jennifer has a B.A. in Integrated Business Communications, and is a Go + Tell Gals licensed life coach. Jennifer hopes to use her calling of writing, coaching, and speaking to equip and empower women to clarify their vision and to boldly step forward in response to God's calling on their life, as well as educate and encourage others to experience the abundance of God's goodness when they seek Him first in all that they do. Jennifer is also a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a photographer, and an avid outdoors-woman. She loves camping, hiking, running, and playing the piano in her free time.
You can keep up with Jennifer on her website https://www.jenniferjabbour.
