Read and Grow

Let’s be honest, inviting someone to church can feel intimidating, even awkward. But what if, instead of focusing on the discomfort, we were able to approach it with confidence and boldness? What if we embraced the possibility that the life of the person we’re inviting could be changed forever?

Inviting a friend to church is a powerful way to help them connect with other people of faith, and grow in their understanding of who Jesus is.

Inviting someone to church can be a major step in their faith journey. It’s more than an event—it’s a chance for them to experience a welcoming community and the love of Jesus firsthand. But before that happens, there’s the invitation, and we often worry: "What if they say no?" or "Will I seem pushy?" We tend to dwell on the negatives, but what if we shifted our perspective? What if they say “yes”? What if God has already been working in their heart? What if this simple invitation leads them to a life-changing relationship with Christ? With these possibilities in mind, what’s holding you back?

Here are three simple steps to help you invite your friends to church.

Step 1: Pray

Before we even interact with anyone, the best way to reach others is to start by approaching God in prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in your interactions with the person you want to invite. Prayer reminds us that while we’re the ones inviting, it’s the Holy Spirit who works in their hearts. (John 16:7-15)

As we prepare to invite, we should also ask for our will to be aligned with God’s. Take time to prayerfully reflect on your own motivation, and the posture of your heart as you approach them. If your goal is simply to increase church attendance, ask God to align your heart with His. Effective evangelism is always rooted in a revelation of God’s unconditional love for us, and that’s the spirit we want to carry into our invitation.

Step 2: Relate

Building a genuine connection with someone is key. The goal isn’t to rush through an invitation and move on, but to take time and show them the patient and compassionate love of Jesus. This process is as valuable for our own growth as it is for them to experience. An invitation without a relationship carries little weight compared to an invitation from a friend.

As you connect, it also allows you to better understand what this person’s experience of church is, which will inform the way you invite them. It’s possible that they’ve never stepped foot inside a church, in which case they might be open to a simple invitation! Otherwise, you may learn through conversation that they grew up in church but drifted away, or they attended a church but experienced hurt from someone. Some questions that might help guide this conversation are:

• “I’m curious—did you attend church at all when you were growing up?”
• “If you don't mind me asking, what makes you feel like church isn't for you?”
• “If it’s not too personal a question, what was the bad experience you had?”

The answers to these questions can guide you in making a more personal invitation at the right moment. Use what you learn, and seek God’s wisdom on when and how to invite them to church.

Step 3: Invite

When it’s time to invite, remember that it’s not just about attending a service—it’s about helping them find community. So, your invitation might be to a church service, or it could be to a bible study, a conference, or even a casual BBQ! 

“My friends from church and I decided to put on a BBQ and we invited our non-Christian friends along. We are hoping to introduce them to Jesus and the Christian lifestyle.” — yesHEis community

Since you've built a genuine connection, tailor your invitation to meet them where they are—whether it's joining a Sunday service for community, a small group for deeper friendships, or an Alpha course for exploring big questions. Keep in mind that your expectations can influence how you invite them. Instead of putting pressure on them, pray for the best outcome and trust that their journey may take time, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in His timing.

Inviting friends to church doesn’t have to feel awkward or intimidating. By approaching it with prayer, genuine connection, and thoughtfulness, it can become a meaningful and powerful opportunity to share the love of Jesus with those around us. Whether they say yes or no, your willingness to extend the invitation is a step toward helping them on their spiritual journey. 

‍This week, take a moment to pray and ask the Holy Spirit who He’s prompting you to invite. When you know, don’t wait, reach out today. After all, what if they say yes?

What does a comically oversized fish and evangelism have in common? Probably not much—unless you’re Jonah.

Yes, that Jonah, the Old Testament prophet. If you’re not familiar with his story, don’t worry, we’ll dive into it shortly. But here’s a heads-up: if you’ve ever been reluctant to share Jesus with someone because you just don’t like them, you might relate to Jonah’s experience more than you’d expect. Let’s take a quick look at his story.

Jonah's story, found in the book of Jonah, tells of a prophet who disobeyed God's call to preach repentance to Nineveh. After being redirected by God through a giant fish, Jonah reluctantly delivers what might be the shortest sermon in history. Remarkably, the entire city repented and found salvation (Jonah 3:4-5).

At its core, this story is about two main characters: Jonah and the Ninevites. Surprisingly, you and I can relate to both. Let’s unpack this a little more.

We Are Jonah

Have you ever felt God prompting you to share your faith with someone you’re not fond of? Maybe they’ve wronged you, hold opposing views, or just rub you the wrong way. Like Jonah, you might feel reluctant, unwilling to play a part in their salvation.

Jonah’s story reminds us that when God calls us to share our faith, it’s not optional, and it’s not about us, it’s about His plans, and His purpose. The Holy Spirit’s promptings are never meaningless, but always have a purpose. So when we set aside our reservations and take that step of faith to share Jesus with our less-than-favorite people, we can trust that God will use it to do something extraordinary.

How would your perspective shift if you trusted God’s plan over your preferences?

We often see this story from Jonah’s perspective because he feels like the main character. As humans, we naturally put ourselves at the center of every story. But there’s actually another character in this story that you may not realise you relate to. Sharing our faith with people that rub us the wrong way, as Jonah did, can be challenging—but there’s a deeper lesson in his story that can shift our perspective.

We Are Nineveh

God loved the Ninevites. Despite their sin and enmity against Him, He loved them enough to send Jonah to give them a chance.

Here’s a hard truth: The Ninevites represent all of us.

Romans 5:10 tells us that we were once enemies of God, yet He made a way for us to be reconciled to Him, through the person of Jesus. The gospel becomes even more powerful when we recognize that, because of our sin, we weren’t just on bad terms with God—we were outright opposed to Him. And yet, in His mercy, He reached out to us.

Jonah’s mission to the Ninevites is a reflection of God’s mission to us through Jesus: offering grace to His enemies. 

How does it feel to know that God loves the people you don’t like? Better yet, how does it feel to know that despite your sin, He loves you?

This perspective challenges us to embody God’s grace. Just as Jonah was sent to reach a foreign people that he didn’t like, we’re called to share the gospel with everyone—even those we find hard to love. Extending grace to difficult people becomes much easier when we recognize the amazing grace we’ve already received. Who in your life might you be avoiding sharing Jesus with because of your own biases or discomfort?

How would trusting God’s purpose over your preferences change your response?

Have you ever thought, “My friends will figure out their faith on their own—they don’t need me?”

It’s easy to assume that our non-Christian friends will find their way to Jesus without our help. If this is you, our recent conversation with a brand new Christian may shift your perspective…

Ethan* had been living a deeply sinful lifestyle, then—praise God—radically turned his life around when he came to Christ. And when describing his experience of being evangelised to as a non-Christian, he said he “felt like a limp guy on a mat.” Here’s what he meant…

In Luke 5, we read about Jesus preaching in a crowded house. Then, something unexpected happened:

“Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.”

‍(Luke 5:18-19)

When Jesus saw their faith, He healed the man AND forgave him of his sins.

Ethan told us that this story resonated with him deeply. Why? Because of the friends carrying the mat.

As the “limp guy on the mat”, Ethan wouldn’t have reached Jesus if it weren’t for the friends who carried his mat, opened the roof and lifted him through to Jesus. He expressed a deep gratitude for those faithful Christians who showed him Jesus, over and over again, until he got it.

What a powerful picture of evangelism! Here are three common myths this story debunks:

1. Bringing your friends to Jesus isn’t always a solo act

In Mark’s account of this story, we read that there were four friends who carried the paralysed man’s mat (Mark 2:3). For Ethan, there were many Christians who walked with him at different times throughout his journey to Jesus. You don’t have to do it alone. Evangelism is a team effort.

2. Your role isn’t to “fix” them; it’s to carry them closer to the One who can

Sharing Jesus isn’t about convincing them with eloquent arguments or single-handedly transforming their lives. Just like the friends in the story, your job is simply to bring them to Jesus’s feet and allow Him to transform them. 

3. Sharing Jesus may take hard work, persistence, and creativity

When the friends saw the crowd around Jesus, they didn’t give up – they got creative! They climbed on the roof, removed the tiles, and lifted their friend through. Is there a non-Christian in your life God’s calling you to get creative with in your faith sharing?

Now we have a question for you: Whose mat are you carrying? Does Jesus want to use you to carry someone to His feet? It will take persistence. It may be difficult. And you may need to get creative. But you won’t be doing it alone.

Who in your life needs help getting to Jesus? And what are you doing to carry them to His feet?

*Names changed for privacy.

The best approach to relatable conversations about Jesus

Feeling stuck about how to share your faith can be a common experience for many Christians. It's easy to feel uncertain about what to say or how to articulate what it means to follow Jesus in a relatable way. But if we are to take the Great Commission seriously, it’s a very important question to ask yourself. 

So how do you do that?

Sharing Jesus in everyday life starts with having a clear understanding of your story and how Jesus fits into that. Reflecting on how Jesus has uniquely touched and transformed your life can unlock a personal and compelling narrative to share with others, especially with friends who aren't yet Christians.

The key to effectively doing this is finding your 'why'. Have you ever asked yourself: “Why do I follow Jesus?” What difference has He made in your life? This 'why' forms a compelling story that is uniquely yours. Once you understand your ‘why’, sharing Jesus becomes more than skillfully articulating the gospel or quoting scripture; it's about sharing a genuine account of how Jesus has impacted your life, providing a real and relatable example of faith in action.

Your personal journey with Jesus can be an intriguing and relatable way to introduce friends to the Christian faith. It's about using your experiences to connect on a deeper level, showing how faith in Jesus is not just a set of beliefs, but a transformative and life-changing journey. By sharing your story, you offer more than just words; you provide a glimpse into the power of faith and the real difference Jesus can make in one's life.

Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. This verse encourages us to consider our unique purpose and calling in Christ. Reflect on how understanding your identity and purpose in Jesus has shaped your life decisions and perspectives. How has this realization influenced your actions and outlook?

Here’s some starting points that might help you:

Start with a relatable situation

Share a situation or challenge that most people can connect with. This could be a decision you had to make or a significant change in your life. This sets a common ground for people to engage with your story.

Explain scripture's influence 

Discuss how specific Bible verses shaped your understanding or actions in that situation. This demonstrates the practical application of scripture in everyday life.

Be open about your struggles

Sharing your challenges and how your faith provides guidance and comfort makes your story authentic and relatable.

Encourage questions and active listening

Be prepared to engage in a two-way conversation, showing genuine interest in others' perspectives and stories.

Share with humility and gratitude

Focus on how Jesus played a pivotal role in your experiences, highlighting your thankfulness for His guidance and presence.

So if you’re feeling like you’re making no progress sharing your faith, be encouraged—every step you take is an important seed sown that will help the people you love take steps towards a relationship with Jesus.

Why not take some time to journal and meditate on these ideas, scripture and your personal experiences. What moments stand out in your faith journey? How have they shaped who you are today?

Finding your why and sharing these reflections can not only strengthen your own faith but can also be a beacon of hope and inspiration for others exploring their spiritual path.

Do you ever feel like sharing Jesus is having ZERO effect? Maybe you’ve thought about giving up altogether? This is a common experience when sharing the gospel, especially with close family and friends. The history and emotional ties can make these interactions awkward and seemingly fruitless.  

So… what can be done? 

You’re not alone in this struggle—even Jesus faced resistance from those closest to Him. In Mark 6:1–6, when Jesus taught in His hometown synagogue, the people were skeptical, dismissive, and even offended. Despite His wisdom and miracles, their unbelief limited what He could do—He healed only a few and was amazed at their lack of faith. It was then that He said:

“A prophet is not without honour, except in his hometown and among his relatives and his own household.”

If you’ve ever shared Jesus with family and close friends, you understand the awkwardness and frustration that injecting the gospel into those relationships can cause. And often, the results of such efforts can seem pretty insignificant. But should this discourage you from sharing your faith? Absolutely not!

Sharing the gospel is about sowing seeds of faith, often unseen in their growth. The impact of your words can be exponentially more significant than you realise. Each conversation, each shared piece of scripture, is like sowing a seed that could multiply beyond our understanding.

Jesus spoke about this kind of impact in the Parable of the Sower. In Mark 4:20, He says, “Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.” You might only see the act of sharing, but God sees the harvest to come. What looks small or ineffective now could multiply far beyond what you ever imagined.

As Albert Allen Bartless, a physics professor at the University of Colorado, said:

“The greatest shortcoming of the human race is our inability to understand the exponential function.”

So next time you feel frustrated, get rejected or your words seem to fall flat, remember: 

You simply cannot comprehend the exponential effect that sharing Jesus can have. And in all likelihood, it’s far greater than you can imagine. Paul encourages us in Galatians 6:9: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

The next time you’re feeling discouraged or frustrated, remember that each action you take and every seed you plant has the potential to multiply beyond your understanding. So take courage and take action!

The Bible talks about “delighting” yourself in the Lord, but often our Christian walks can feel anything but delightful. Day-to-day busyness, burn-out and routine can infuse the gospel with more “meh” than magic, more dull than delight. 

But here’s why this matters: if our spiritual walk feels “meh”, it won’t stay private. That attitude seeps into our actions and our conversations with others. And if we want people to truly see the beauty and love of Jesus, it helps when we’re actually enjoying Him ourselves.

So, if you're feeling stuck or spiritually dry, how do you snap out of the funk and find the delight that Jesus promises? Here are a few thoughts…

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night” – Psalm 1:2

This verse is talking about the law—the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. And I don’t know about you, but the book of Numbers doesn’t exactly scream delight.

Let’s be honest: why would you want to spend time in God’s word day and night when:

• The average human attention span is only 8.25 seconds (a goldfish’s is 9),
• Over 210 million people struggle with internet and social media addiction,
• One hour of fresh content is uploaded to YouTube every second?

Sitting still and spending time in God’s word feels harder than ever. But that doesn’t mean God’s beauty has faded—it just means we may need a perspective shift.

A problem of perspective

Let’s face it: the ‘law’ can feel heavy, restrictive, and hard to live up to. It’s not exactly the theme of most worship sets.

But here’s the key: delight grows when we stop making it about ourselves.

If you’re focused on your own performance–your good works, your standing before God–then yeah, the law will feel like a burden. But if your focus is on God, you’ll start to see:

• The law reflects His goodness and character,
• His commands are designed to help us flourish,
• Jesus fulfilled the law for us, inviting us into freedom.

Delight begins when we fix our eyes on God—not ourselves.

‍A Beautiful promise

You might be thinking, “It’s hard to focus on God when my life feels overwhelming”. That’s fair. When we’re stressed or hurting, it’s natural to turn inward. But look at this promise in Psalm 37:4:

“Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

God knows your needs and longings, and He wants the best for you, more than you do! But His way of meeting those needs starts with trust. Rather than trying to fix everything yourself, He invites you to focus on Him first. That’s where peace and provision flow from.

Finding Delight

If your relationship with Jesus hasn’t felt delightful lately, you’re not alone. In fact, God even addressed this in Revelation 2, in His message to the church in Ephesus:

“I know your works… But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” (Rev 2:1–7)

This church was doing good things—calling out false teaching, standing firm—but they had lost their love. Their passion. Their delight.

This tells us something important: even the most committed Christians can end up going through the motions. We can appear spiritually “strong” but still lose our love for Jesus if we forget what it’s all about.

Why it’s important

Delighting in Jesus isn’t just about personal renewal—it’s a vital part of evangelism. If our faith feels dry or mechanical, it’s going to show. People around us notice whether we genuinely enjoy the God we claim to follow.

But when we’re rooted in delight, it naturally overflows. Our conversations gain warmth. Our actions reflect love. People become curious—not just about what we believe, but why we’re so alive.

Remember: the Christian life isn’t a sprint—it’s a marathon. Sometimes it’s full of joy; sometimes, not so much. But if you’re feeling spiritually flat and want that spark back, start here:

• Slow down. Shift your perspective. Meditate on God’s goodness. Ask:
• What are you grateful for?
• What parts of God’s character are beautiful to you?

Try it this week—and let delight do its work.

How do you explain the incredible, upside down, unconditional love of Jesus to someone? We don’t mean explaining the biochemical reactions that occur within your brain, or how philosophers have attempted to encapsulate love within the confines of words. No – how do you convince someone that the God of the universe loves them despite who they are or what they’ve done? 

In his book Practicing the Way, John Mark Comer says, “As a general rule, we become more loving by experiencing love, not by hearing about it in a lecture or reading about it in a book … We let God love us into people of love.”

And in Ephesians 3:19, Paul says that his prayer for that church was that they would “know this love that surpasses knowledge.”

How do you explain something that surpasses knowledge? And when Jesus asks us to share the love of God with everyone (Mark 16:15), what does He mean? How are we meant to do that?

It’s true that most of the responsibility for this lies with Jesus! He will reveal Himself to someone when He chooses (Matthew 11:27), but there are things you can do to share the unique, profound, unconditional love that Jesus offers.

Here’s three ways you can do that …

Highlight the difference between human love and Jesus’s love.

Everyone seeks deep, unconditional love, but we usually receive conditional love from others. Unfulfilled, we turn to things like relationships, success, escape, and distractions for satisfaction. A practical way to share Jesus' love is by demonstrating how other types of love cannot fully satisfy our deepest desires. Only Jesus can meet our ultimate need for love.

Here’s some ways that Jesus’s love differs from human love:

We often restrict love when we’re hurt; Jesus loves no matter what. Our capacity for love goes down when we’re hurt. It’s totally fine, but it has consequences. It often means letting someone down or disappointing them. However, Jesus’ love never leaves or forsakes us. (Read 1 John 4:9-10)

We often narrow love when we disagree; Jesus loves without no matter what.
‍It takes deep maturity to put yourself in someone else’s shoes–especially when that position is one you disagree with. In our frail humanity and sin, that means we often narrow love to certain worldviews and certain people groups. However, Jesus’s wisdom, maturity, and capacity for love is infinitely greater than ours, and He loves no matter what. (Read Romans 5:8)

We often limit love to protect ourselves; Jesus put Himself in harm’s way to protect us. Instead of an easy, convenient, safe love, Jesus chose a love that defied social norms, a love that sent Him to the cross, the love that put Him in harm’s way to protect others. (Read John 15:13)

Share your experience of Jesus’s unconditional love.

Take Jesus’ unconditional love from the abstract and make it practical: “Here’s what it looks like in my life …” Give a wide range of examples to show how He moves and that He moves. A testimony, or a witness, to the unconditional love of God is a powerful thing (Revelation 12:11).

Pray that they would have a personal revelation of Jesus’ love.

Even though it’s listed last, prayer isn’t a last resort. Prayer has incredible power that doesn’t always make sense to us—can we really change God’s mind? (Exodus 32:11-14) How do we know what to ask for? (Romans 8:26) 

In his book, Prayer for Beginners, Peter Kreeft says, “The reason this prayer is so powerful is that the name of Jesus is not just a set of letters or sounds.” Pray works because of God’s power, not our own. 

When you pray for your friend to have a personal revelation of Jesus’ love, it’s not like you’re praying for a sports car—He’s not the kind of God to refuse something as beautiful and important as revelation.

It’s a powerful thing when someone understands unconditional love. Trust that Jesus wants this for your friends too! He will reveal Himself to people in His perfect and wise timing, but remember that He wants to use you as well! So your part to play is simply showing people that the answer to their deepest longings lies in the unconditional love of Jesus. Get out there and spread the love!

Are you stuck in a Christian bubble?

Someone from our community recently shared a powerful insight:

Last year, I realised I was living in a Christian bubble. It was comfortable, but I forgot there's a huge world out there that needs Jesus.

There’s nothing wrong with living deeply connected in Christian community, right? True! The bible specifically encourages us to do exactly that. However, sometimes we get so caught up in our Christian life that we forget about our main purpose: to share Jesus' love with everyone. 

This highlights an obvious problem:

How do you share Jesus with people when everyone you know is already a Christian?

Let’s be honest, it's easy to rationalise why it’s healthy to serve at church and be discipled by other believers. However, the importance of these things isn’t what’s in question. 

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:20 that we are all Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.

Here’s the real question: are you being an ambassador for Jesus?

An ambassador is someone sent by a state as its permanent representative in a foreign country. An ambassador can’t do their job in their home country. Jesus exemplified this, as we see Him develop close friendships with people outside of His natural circles – tax collectors, sinners, and the outcasts of society. And he did this not just to heal their bodies but to save their souls (Luke 15:2, Luke 7:34, Luke 5:20, Luke 19:7).

We are called personally to follow Jesus’ example. Think about it this way – the only reason the church has grown over history is because individual Christians have decided to step outside of their comfort zone.

What will you choose?

Here’s 3 ways to step out of your comfort zone…

‍

1. Expand Your Relationships Beyond Familiar Borders

How do you naturally connect with people? Does that allow for non-Christian friendships to start and flourish? Or does it keep you in the Christian circles? You might need to consider volunteering for a local cause, joining a community sport club, or simply meet your neighbours.

2. Cultivate Intentional Relationships

Make a conscious effort to build genuine relationships with people from different walks of life. Show interest in their stories, share life experiences, and when the moment feels right, weave in your faith narrative as a natural part of your interaction.

3. Embrace Everyday Evangelism

Equip yourself with simple, effective ways to share the gospel during everyday life. Use resources like yesHEis to prepare for these opportunities, and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance to recognize and act on opportunities with courage and love.

Take stock of your existing social circles—do you need to step outside of Christian circles to be more accessible for non-Christians?

Many of us know friends who used to be active Christians but now they’re … not.

Having meaningful friendships with these people is probably one of the trickiest things for a Christian to navigate. How do you share Jesus with someone who’s heard about Him before, but has been hurt by the people claiming to represent Him?

People who have been part of a church and left can instinctively recognise when someone is trying to “sell” them something. This means the usual methods of evangelism aren’t quite up to the task of sharing Jesus with an ex-Christian. Compounded with that is the fact that these people are hurt: they don’t trust the church or any attempts to bring them back, so conversations need to be way more sensitive and agile than with other non-Christians.

This makes any conversation—not just faith conversations—layered and complex. So if you’re looking for ways to bring Jesus to these people, we’d love to offer you some tools:

Acknowledge Their Hurt

Start by validating their experiences. Acknowledge that people in the church aren’t perfect and can sometimes cause pain. Don’t be dismissive of their feelings; instead, show empathy. A simple, heartfelt statement like, “I’m so sorry that the church made you feel that way,” can go a long way in rebuilding trust.

Build Trust Through Apologies

Even if you have never directly hurt them, apologising for the pain they’ve experienced can help rebuild trust in Christians as a whole. Acknowledge the imperfections within the church and express your sorrow for the hurt caused. This act of humility can open doors for deeper conversations about faith.

Be Honest About Your Own Experiences

Don’t shy away from sharing your own disappointments and hurts. It’s not a weakness to show that you also get hurt by people in church; it’s a strength. By showing that you have also faced challenges and yet continue to follow Jesus, you demonstrate the resilience and hope found in a genuine relationship with Him.

Change the Invitation

Rather than focusing on inviting them back to church, simplify it: just invite them to open their hearts to the person of Jesus again. Emphasise that a personal relationship with Him is far more important than attending a church service. This shift can help them see faith as something deeply personal rather than tied to their past negative experiences.

Bring It Back to Jesus

Focus on sharing stories of Jesus and His compassion for those hurt by religious people. Highlight passages where Jesus showed immense love and care for the marginalised and those mistreated by religious leaders, such as:

• John 8:1-11: The woman caught in adultery.
• Matthew 9:20-22: The woman with the issue of blood.
• Matthew 12:9-13: The man with the shrivelled hand.

By building relationships with ex-Christians with genuine curiosity and compassion, we can help those hurt by the church see Jesus’s love and care. Sharing Jesus with those who have been hurt by the church requires patience, empathy, and authenticity.

Let’s be there for our friends with empathy and genuine love. Listen to their stories, offer sincere apologies, and share your own experiences. By doing this, we can help heal their wounds and show them the true love of Jesus.

You’re trying. You want to help people know Jesus. You’ve stepped out, shared your faith, maybe even invited someone to church. But it feels like nothing’s landing.

No real conversations. No traction. Just... silence.

If that’s where you’re at, you’re not alone. We hear this all the time. You care deeply about others meeting Jesus—but your usual ways of sharing don’t seem to be connecting.

So what now?

Before you give up, maybe it’s time to try a different angle. A small shift in approach can open doors you didn’t expect.

The Key to Evangelism: Adaptability

Most of us default to what’s comfortable when sharing Jesus. It’s human. We find an approach we like—an invitation to church, a testimony, a good question—and we repeat it.

But evangelism isn’t one-size-fits-all. People are different. And sometimes, sticking to the same method over and over can leave us stuck.

Here’s a story that might inspire you to rethink your approach:

“I’ve been walking my neighbour’s dog in the park and I keep bumping into the same guy who likes to do drugs 😅 I’ve invited him to church a few times but he’s never really felt comfortable with this. I kept praying for him, anyway. But just recently, I changed tact and asked him if he’d like to follow Jesus—and he said yes!! So I led him in the sinner’s prayer.” — yesHEis community

Same guy. Same heart. Different approach—and it worked.

The church invite didn’t connect. But the question “Do you want to follow Jesus?” hit home. Why? Because it met him where he was.

The Apostle Paul Got It

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 9:22, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.”

He didn’t change the message—but he did change his method. He adapted to the people in front of him.

Maybe it’s time we did too.

How to Grow in Adaptability

Get God’s Direction
Ask God for wisdom. He knows the person you’re trying to reach better than you do. Ask Him:
→ How can I meet them in a way that speaks directly to their heart?

Recognise When It’s Time to Shift
Just because a conversation feels like a dead end doesn’t mean it is. Sometimes, it’s a cue to try something new.
→ What can you adjust about your timing, tone, or questions?

Be Willing to Try Something New
Maybe they don’t need a church invite. Maybe they need your story. Or a prayer. Or someone to listen.
→ What could you do differently next time?

Learn from Others
Who inspires you to stay flexible and bold? Surround yourself with those people.
→ One way to do this is to stay connected with the yesHEis community. There are stories like this shared every week!

‍You Don’t Have to Force It—Just Stay Open

What kind of evangelist could you become if you let go of the pressure to get it right, and instead leaned into being available, responsive, and adaptable?

Sometimes, the shift that helps someone meet Jesus isn’t big—it’s just bold. And it’s ready when you are.

Have you ever felt disappointed after sharing Jesus with someone? Maybe a conversation about faith didn’t go as you’d hoped, your testimony didn’t seem to resonate, or an invitation to church was turned down. Can we tell you something? It’s ok to feel disappointed when sharing Jesus didn’t go according to plan.

Disappointment often stems from the gap between our expectations and reality. Even Jesus faced this. In His hometown of Nazareth, He was rejected by the very people who knew Him best (Luke 4:16-30). His own disciples, despite witnessing His miracles and being in His presence, lacked faith during a storm (Matthew 8:23-27).

These moments likely didn’t unfold the way Jesus would have wanted. While disappointment is something we all encounter, the true test lies in how we choose to respond. If we’re not careful, disappointment can easily turn into discouragement when we start to believe we’ve failed. But the truth is: Successful evangelism isn’t dependent on the outcome, but on our faithfulness to sow the seeds.

In Matthew 13, Jesus shares a parable about a farmer scattering seeds on different types of soil. The results vary, not because of the sower’s effort but because of the condition of the soil. This reminds us that our job is to faithfully plant seeds—the state of the soil and the growth are in God’s hands. 

If you’re reading this and feeling disappointed by an unexpected outcome after sharing Jesus, know that we celebrate you! You were obedient to the call to share the gospel and planted a seed of faith. But if this experience has left you wanting to grow and prepare for next time, here are three questions you can ask yourself to help sharpen your approach for your next opportunity to share Jesus.

1. What can I learn from last time?

While the growth of the seeds we plant depends on the condition of their heart and the work of the Spirit, we can use our past experiences to adjust our approach and give God's Word the best chance to connect.

To do this, start by reflecting on your most recent experience sharing Jesus. Consider what went well and where there might be room for growth. If you’re looking for specific areas to reflect on, try asking yourself questions like:

• Where did I sense God’s presence or guidance during the conversation?
• How did I respond to their questions, concerns, or reactions?
• Did I communicate Jesus in a way that was relatable and meaningful to them?
• Was I actively listening to understand, or was I more focused on what I wanted to say?

Reflecting on these moments is a healthy step toward growth, but it’s important not to let it turn into overthinking. Celebrate the wins, note the learning points, and then move forward. Dwelling too long on a single experience can lead to self-doubt and discouragement. Instead, use what you’ve learned to be better prepared for the next opportunity God brings.

2. What can I expect for next time?

The expectations we have when planting seeds of faith can greatly affect the pressure we put on ourselves and how we feel about the outcome. The truth is, not every seed will show immediate results, but each one plays a role in the bigger story God is weaving.

If we judged the success of Jesus' ministry at the moment of His crucifixion, it would have seemed like failure. Yet, it was the turning point in the greatest story ever told. Similarly, what can feel like a failed attempt to share Jesus, might actually be a step toward something greater that God is working on. So, let’s adjust our expectations to remember that God’s timing and purposes are beyond our understanding, and we can trust that His word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11).

3. What do I do now?

Keep sharing Jesus. Great evangelists don’t stand out because of a few successes—they stand out because they keep sharing Jesus, no matter the outcome. Every experience builds confidence and resilience, preparing us for the next opportunity God brings. If a conversation didn’t go as planned, take heart, reflect, and trust God for another opportunity. Steady, patient persistence can often testify to the power of faith in Jesus. The people we share our faith with may even start to think, “If they care enough to keep coming back lovingly and patiently, maybe there’s something to this.”

Take the next step—don’t let disappointment hold you back. Keep sharing Jesus with love and faithfulness, trusting that each effort counts. Reflect, adjust, and go again, knowing that God is working through you. Every seed you plant matters, and in His timing, there will be a harvest.

‍Start today; your faithfulness can make an eternal impact.

You’ve got a friend. You care about them. And at some point, you’ve probably wondered:

"How do I talk about Jesus in a way that actually makes sense to them?
"They didn’t grow up going to church."
"They’re not super interested in religion."

But you still want to share your faith in a way that feels real, not weird.

You’re not alone. A lot of us feel stuck here. We want to talk about Jesus, but we don’t want it to come across as forced, out of place, or like we’re delivering a lecture. So here’s a thought: instead of starting with theology, start with what they already know.

Movies. Music. TikTok. Video games. Stories they love.

These things can actually help you talk about Jesus in ways that feel natural and meaningful. Pop Culture Isn’t a Barrier — It’s a Bridge Most people today are way more familiar with the Marvel universe than with the Gospel of John. But that doesn’t mean you can’t talk about Jesus. It just means you might need to start somewhere else.

Pop culture is full of the kind of themes Jesus talked about: sacrifice, redemption, love, purpose, identity. When you make those connections, it opens the door to conversations that go deeper. Here are a few examples.

Start Where You’re Already Connected
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The Chronicles of Narnia: When Aslan gives his life to save Edmund, it’s not just a powerful moment. It’s also a reflection of how Jesus gave His life for us. That story might already be familiar to your friend—and it could be the perfect way to introduce who Jesus really is.

The Legend of Zelda: In the game, Link risks everything to bring peace to a broken world. Sounds a lot like Jesus, right? He stepped into a broken world, faced evil head-on, and did what no one else could to bring hope and restoration.

Music: Take a song like “All of Me” by John Legend. It’s not just about romance. It taps into something we all want—real, unconditional love. That kind of love points to something deeper. It’s the kind of love God offers, and it can be a great starting point for a conversation about what love really means.

Four Ways to Connect Pop Culture with the Story of Jesus
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1. Find Common Interests
Start with what they’re into—movies, books, games, music. Most of those stories carry deeper themes. Ask about what they love and why. Let that guide you into more meaningful territory.

Try saying:
“What kind of movies do you like?”
“Who’s your favourite artist right now?”
“You play that game a lot—what do you like about it?”

2. Draw Parallels
Once the conversation’s going, you can make some simple connections.

“You know how in Clash of Clans, you’re always building up defences to protect your base? It kind of reminds me of how people try to protect themselves in real life too. That’s something Jesus really speaks into for me—how I don’t need to do life alone or constantly be on guard.”

“Have you noticed how people on TikTok are always chasing likes and validation? I think we all want to be seen and accepted. I’ve found that in God—real love that doesn’t change depending on how I perform.”

“There’s that line in Blinding Lights—‘I’m running out of time’—and it makes me think of how often we chase stuff that never really satisfies. I used to do that too, but faith gave me something that lasts.”

3. Start with a Story
Sometimes it helps to start with something they already know well, like Star Wars.

“You know how Anakin is supposed to bring balance to the Force? That whole idea of a ‘chosen one’ reminds me of Jesus. He came to bring peace too—but not just between people, between us and God.”

“Think about Darth Vader. No matter how far gone he seemed, Luke still believed he could be redeemed. That’s exactly how I see what Jesus does with us.”

4. Encourage Curiosity
You don’t have to push a message—sometimes the best thing you can do is ask a good question.

“Why do you think we’re so drawn to stories about sacrifice?”
“Have you ever noticed how many songs are about being loved, fully known, or accepted? I think that says something about what we’re all longing for.”

These questions don’t pressure anyone. They just open space for a real conversation. And that’s where faith can start to take root. You Don’t Need a Sermon—Just a Starting Point

Using something your friend already cares about—music, movies, stories, trends—can be one of the most natural ways to begin a conversation about Jesus. You’re not changing the message. You’re just finding a better place to begin. You already know Jesus brings life, hope, and love. What if the story your friend’s been watching or listening to is actually preparing them to hear His?

So next time you're chatting about your favourite series or what’s trending, listen closely. You might just find your opening. And when you do, go for it.