Confession: I often don’t walk out the reality of God’s promises and feel like a fraud. God says I am to live on mission because this world is His mission field.

Right before Jesus ascended to heaven, He commissioned His disciples to share the Good News. He promised them that they would receive “power” to witness. Shortly after, the Holy Spirit descended upon them on the Day of Pentecost, and we see the disciples beginning to walk in the truth of this promise.

I read that passage and think, “Wow, look at what God did there in the book of Acts,” and then I close my Bible and doubt that will ever happen in my life.

Sometimes, I am too scared to share Jesus with my loves.

Maybe you are like me. You didn’t grow up in a home where the Bible sat on the coffee table. Maybe when you started walking with Christ the people closest to you didn’t respond with joy, but instead wondered if you had become a bit of a Jesus freak.

The fact is that I am a Jesus freak. Jesus died on the cross for my sins, and because of Him, I have forgiveness and healing and peace. If I am going to be freak about anything, it’s going to be about the Savior who gave it all and then conquered sin and death because He loved me so much.

I also have the power of the resurrected Christ abiding inside me. I don’t need to fear what my family will say if I share the Gospel with them. I need to surrender my weakness to my God and ask Him to help me to speak the Truth in love.

If your family is your mission field like me, I’ve got 4 suggestions on how we can push past scared to share Jesus.

4 Ways to Share on Your Mission Field

Live authentically

Our love for Jesus might be the only Bible they will read. The Holy Spirit will work as you walk out your faith.

“On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.” (Acts 16:13-14, NIV)

Pray fervently

Don’t ever give up interceding for your family. Fight for their salvation on your knees.

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.  And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:2-5, NIV)

Share your story

Ask God for windows of opportunity to share your conversion story with your loved ones. Write out your story in advance (keep it concise!), memorize it, and practice sharing it with someone you trust so that you are ready if /when the opportunity arises.

“Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!” (I Peter 3:13-17, NLT)

Invite them in

Use the gift of hospitality and open up your home to your family. Invite them to your church’s Christmas program. Share resources like books, devotionals, and blog posts with them that point them toward God’s plan of redemption.

“Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches. Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home.” (Romans 16:3-14)

To help get you started, I’ve created a one-page printable with Scriptures you can use to start praying for your loved ones who need Jesus. Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library.

A while back, I had a sweet older relative who became very ill. Her health had declined slowly over a three year period after a cancer diagnosis. We visited her in the hospital and prayed for her healing. I called her daily and told her we were praying. We purchased her a Bible as a Christmas present. I spoke to her gently about the importance of making her peace with God and asking for forgiveness of sins.

Ten days before she passed away, I had a divine appointment with her in her hospital room. We prayed on our way to the hospital for a chance to speak with her again about where she stood with God, and when we arrived at the hospital, I had a sweet fifteen minute window alone with her before the rest of the family arrived.
My aunt assured me that she was ready to meet the Lord, and that she was praying every day on her own. She seemed incredibly at peace about her destiny, and I believe that right now she is in heaven rejoicing in the presence of her Savior.

Picture yourself walking forward in faith and sharing your story.  Now, imagine your loved one standing at the foot of the cross with arms uplifted in worship. Remember with God nothing is impossible — unless we refuse to believe.

Don’t allow fear to keep you for fulfilling your calling as a witness to your family. Be strong in the power of the Lord and rely on His mighty strength for the work.

⇓

ARE YOU READY TO FIRE UP YOUR FAITH?

SIGN UP TO GET WEEKLY #FAITHFUEL IN YOUR INBOX.

YOU’LL RECEIVE “4 SUREFIRE WAYS TO IGNITE YOUR FAITH” AS MY GIFT TO YOU.

YOU’LL ALSO GET ACCESS TO THE PRACTICAL RESOURCES IN OUR PRIVATE FAITH FUEL LIBRARY.