It is hard to begin the conversation about faith. In fact, making plans, or trying to work out the best way of introducing Jesus into the conversation can leave a bad taste in the mouth! A far better way is to talk about Jesus in a natural way. And the most natural way is by answering a question. In this article we will look at how to share faith by living a distinctive life might prompt questions and introduce talking about Jesus in a natural way.
Why does living distinctively help us to share our faith?
In the Talking Jesus Course we cover living a life which is distinctive. Distinctive means to get noticed, or to stand out in some ways. When it comes to faith sharing Jesus said we needed to stand out, like a light on a hill, or a light for a room! We actually don’t have a choice but be distinctive, because Jesus told us to (Matthew 5 vs 15).
In our culture there are lots of ways of being distinctive. Some will choose a particular car. Or perhaps the way they dress. Someone with a different accent from the prevailing community will have a ‘distinctive accent’.
It’s not what we say, it’s how we say it
When I was 16 I moved to London from Lancashire. In Lancashire I was like everyone else – northern! I blended into the background at school somewhat. But in London, where I went to college, that accent got me noticed. So much so that I remember being greeted in the corridor with a high-5 by someone I had never met before! All that from an accent. I was the lad from the north. People asked me about what it was like in the North.
In the same way, the way in which we live our lives as Christians can be distinctive. We can stand out from the crowd. Not so much by what we say, but how we say it.
More than the sum of its parts makes for a distinctive Christian life
It’s worth keeping in mind that Christians don’t have the monopoly and being nice and helping others, especially at the time of writing (Covid!). Nor most of the other suggestions I am going to make in this article. But if you put them all together, then you will start to stand out from the norm.
And like I found, as a northern lad in London, that will bring about questions.
1Peter 3 vs 15 says
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
Its easier to answer a question, than work out how to ‘get Jesus in’ to a conversation!
So how might we live a distinctive life?
Share your faith through loving others in different ways
Have you heard of the 5 love languages? I realised that I could use the idea when it comes to sharing my faith with other people.
The basic principle is this: not everyone experiences being cared for in the same way. People experience care by
- Receiving gifts
- Touch
- Time
- Being encouraged
- Being served – doing things for people
As Christians we gravitate to the serving others format. But really, we could say we are giving loving service when we do any of the above points. However, to truly understand the love of God we are trying to demonstrate to people, it needs to be something meaningful to them. You can read more about how you might be able to do that in this article on sharing faith through the 5 languages of love.
Live a distinctive Christian life by being a trustpilot ambassador for Christ
Are you familiar with trustpilot?
When I go shopping online and I am not sure if the service a website will provide will be good, I look for a trustpilot rating.
But I will also go to people I trust in my network of friends and ask them for their opinion.
Today, unlike it was a few years ago, people trust their friends more than experts. It is called social proof, and is highly prized in the marketing world. They may get reviews from the experts, or suggestions of what to look for. But in the end, it is the opinion of friends which count.
You are the best person to tell your friends about Jesus, because you know him! And rather than looking for some expert theology book (and if you have ever read one of those things you’ll know how complicated they can be!) they would rather have your opinion.
So they will ask questions. Probably not all the time, but they will value your opinion. When something happens in their life, which because God is at work in their lives it eventually will, it may be to you that they turn.
Secondly you are an example of what being a Christian looks like. So be a great example!
When it comes to serving, don’t go large…go smaller and more often.
Big isn’t always the best. Consider a diamond.
Although there is the right time and place to do something big as a church or an individual, it is often expensive in terms of time, money and resources – including human ones! That means unless you are a church with a lot of resources, you may be only able to do a great service to your community once, and that is it.
Also, it is very rare that you can do one big thing and it is remembered. Perhaps for a month or two, and then something else comes along.
I would suggest, from experience, that the best way of serving both as a church and as an individual, is to serve on a smaller level. Serve in a way which is sustainable and you can do over and over as part of the natural way of going about your life. By doing that, people are more likely to notice. And you will find it more natural and easier to sustain over the longer period.
Mind your language – season with salt!
Salt is referred to in the bible quite a bit. It’s use was quite significant. Sometimes a preservative, it was also used in the offerings in the temple. In offerings it was used because of it’s symbology in the culture of friendship. To not have salt in your meal was an offence.
Salt in the temple therefore indicated a friendship relationship with God.
We are called to “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4 vs 6).
- We live in a world where it seems right to shout. The person who shouts loudest gets the attention and the result needed. If there is a problem, complain loudly so it will be sorted. What about if we spoke gently?
- Use swearing, and aggressive language because everyone else does, it seems. And you won’t seem less than someone else if your language is as harsh as theirs. But the bible says to not fear people. What if we were to partner with the Holy Spirit and no that he has the strength?
- What if we feel that to get what we are owed, or justice, we need to shout and get angry? We have a God of justice who is on our side.
- Do everything without grumbling or complaining, is another verse to remember.
- Don’t gossip.
But imagine if you are the person who speaks kindly, and lovingly in ALL situations. Imagine that you never swear, or use God’s name (Or Jesus’) in any other way apart from to speak of how much he means to you.
Imagine if you are always graceful…full of grace.
You will certainly be distinctive.
Practical tip to live a distinctive life: care for your personal discipleship
All these things are quite hard if we do it in our own strength. Especially that last one about language. But there is a way.
- Pray
- Read your bible
- Even memorise scripture
When we pray we are hanging out with God. We are shaped by what we do, and how we spend our time. Spending time with God will shape you simply by being with him. Jesus spent many hours with his Father. We could follow his example.
Read your bible to have become distinctive
By getting to know God better through scripture, and particularly reading the example of Jesus and following the suggestions in the letters of the New Testament, you will be changed. You will begin to live more distinctively. Incidentally, you will also find your courage will increase to talk about Jesus!
Memorising Scripture will help give you confidence to talk about your faith.
If you learn scripture, first you will be changed by it. In Romans we read ‘be transformed by the renewing of your mind’ (Romans 12 vs 2). That helps you become more distinctive in the above suggestions.
Memorising scripture will make you appear wise! – and bless others
Secondly it is at your mind’s finger tips, to mix bodyparts, ready for the Holy Spirit to remind you of it, not just for your own benefit when you face a difficulty, but when you are talking to other people.
Now you don’t have to come back at people with a bible reference and a perfect quotation. In fact, don’t even say it is from the bible. This isn’t an exam.
Instead, you simply say the right thing at the right time. Because scripture is full of wisdom there are two benefits. First is, you will look wise! You will be distinctive! Secondly, the wisdom from the bible will impact the other person.
Again, personal experience. Most of the time I will act more as a spiritual coach and encourage people to ask questions. But when I say something, I try to use bible wisdom rather than my own.
And if people ask where I got the wisdom from, then I tell them, with a grin!
How to learn bible verses
Yes, learning scripture seems old fashioned. And you may even have bad experiences from trying to learn bible passages and failing. Sadly I think that the old fashioned way of having children rewarded for remembering bible passages perfectly was a big mistake. It makes those who ‘failed’ never engage. There is a better way. I’ll go into this in more detail in a future article, but for now, spend time simply being with a short bible verse.
Think about it…chew it over. Close your eyes and say it roughly to yourself. Turn it into a prayer. I would suggest not worrying about it being perfect, just make sure that you get it ‘right enough’. You can polish it later if you like. Also, don’t worry too much about remembering where it is from!
The writer of Hebrews says ‘it says somewhere in scripture that…’ (Hebrews 2 vs 6-9). If it is good enough for the bible, it’s good enough for me. Besides which, if you remember it to a point of ‘good enough’ should you need it, you can always use some device or other to find the exact verse.
Evangelists and natural faith sharers seem to know more bible verses
If it is any further encouragement, in speaking with a range of people, those who are more confident in sharing their faith also seem to make an effort to learn bible verses. They do so not to have verses to throw at people, but instead so that their lives are enriched by scripture. But they do seem to bubble over where needed!
I can’t think of a better win win situation.
In summary live distinctively so that you will be asked questions about our faith in Jesus!
I’ve linked through this article to more lengthier digging into each of these points. If you find this article useful then leave a comment below, or even share it with friends.
What is the most important thing you will take away with you about how to live distinctively?
