The Philippine Star

KEEP IT SIMPLE

- Patricia raybon

The email was short but urgent. “Request salvation. I would like to know Jesus.” What an astonishin­g request. Unlike reluctant friends and family who hadn’t yet received Christ, this person didn’t need convincing. My task was to quiet my self-doubt about evangelizi­ng and simply share key concepts, Scriptures, and trusted resources that addressed this man’s plea. From there, by faith, God would lead his journey.

Philip demonstrat­ed such simple evangelism when on a desert road he met the treasurer of Ethiopia who was reading aloud from the book of Isaiah. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked (Acts 8:30). “How can I,” the man answered, “unless someone explains it to me” (v. 31). Invited to clarify, “Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus” (v. 35).

Starting where people are and keeping evangelism simple, as Philip showed, can be an effective way to share Christ. In fact, as the two traveled along, the man said, “Look, here is water” and asked to be baptized (v. 36). Philip complied, and the man “went on his way rejoicing” (v. 39). I rejoiced when the email writer replied that he had repented of sin, confessed Christ, found a church, and believed he was born again. What a beautiful start! Now, may God take him higher!

How do you respond to opportunit­ies to share your faith? What simple answers could you have on hand for someone who wants to know Jesus?

I’m not an expert at evangelizi­ng, heavenly Father, so show me simple, effective ways to share the good news about Christ.

BIBLE IN A YEAR Joshua 10-12; Luke 1:39-56

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