By Robert Austell
Evangelism – it’s a word that scares (or puts off) even the boldest among us. But perhaps that’s because we envision street preachers with megaphones or that angry preacher from childhood or some other equally invasive or obnoxious approach.
Really, evangelism simply means sharing good news, and that’s something we delight to do all the time:
Did I tell you my 8th-grader made the honor roll? Good news!
Did you know my first grandchild was born? Good news!
Hey, I got a promotion at work! Good news!
Paul ran into trouble telling the good news in Jerusalem. He was thrown out of the
Temple and was being beaten by the mob until the Roman soldiers who policed Jerusalem came to stop it. The soldiers brought him to the Roman authorities who were determined to find out what was going on. Paul began to “make a defense” (Acts 22:1) before his accusers, but chose, instead, to tell his story.
He talked about his childhood and upbringing. He shared how he used to pursue and torture Christians. He had all the right qualifications of birth, education, nationality and more to succeed in life. And he shared his personal encounter with Jesus of Nazareth, the very one whose followers he had tortured and killed. And he shared how Jesus had sent him on a mission to the Gentiles.
This was hardly a defense; it actually angered those listening even more. But this story – his life story – was such good news to Paul that he could not help but share it.
- What’s your story?
- What are the two or three best things that have happened in your life in the last year? What makes them good news?
- If you were going to share the story of your life and faith, what would you mention? What is most important to you? Would you consider parts to be good news? What would you mention that might not be good news and what and how do they play a part in your story?
- What other details did you notice in today’s reading?
Prayer: God of goodness and God of our lives, help us to notice your goodness when we are experiencing it. Help us to remember when we need news of your goodness. And help us talk more easily and freely about what is truly good in our lives. Thank you Amen.
