Evangelization is a crucial aspect of our Catholic faith, often emphasized by Pope Francis, who urges us to go out into the world and encounter people.
But what does it actually look like in our daily lives?
Whether you’re new to Catholic evangelization or looking to deepen your outreach, FOCUS’s tried and true methods will provide you with the tools and confidence to fulfill the Great Commission, build meaningful relationships, and share the faith boldly.
1. PRAY FOR PEOPLE BY NAME
Chances are, you already know people who haven’t heard the Gospel message. In your prayer time, take their names to God. God “at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.” – Ephesians 3:20.
Ask Him for opportunities to share the faith with them and trust His timing as you build relationships with them in advance of those conversations. You can also find Catholic resources on FOCUS Equip to guide you in praying to the Holy Spirit for new evangelization efforts.
2. GO OUT INTO THE WORLD
Don’t just hang out in the “Catholic bubble.” Like-minded friends are important to nourish our faith, but we can never forget our duty to invite others into the family.
Jesus tells us His Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” – Matthew 28:19. Jesus became incarnate and lived among us; we follow His example when we go out and meet other people where they are, whether in work, a social club, the gym, or even your parish!
3. BE BOLD
Introducing yourself to someone you don’t know can be scary. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the words you need. Have courage! It might be awkward at first, but more often than not, people will appreciate you showing interest in them.
4. EXTEND PERSONAL INVITATIONS
How many invitations do you have sitting in Facebook events right now? And how many do you actually plan to attend? Chances are the events you attend are the ones where someone took the time to seek you out and invite you.
Invite someone to an event with you! Your personal invitation might reach the person who needs a friend.
5. SHARE LIFE
Find things that you can do together, even if it isn’t something you love doing. Sacrifice your own preference to do the things they enjoy.
Remember, evangelization isn’t just an intellectual endeavor! As you spend time with others, doing things they love, you earn the right to be heard. They will trust your recommendations about movies, books, restaurants, etc. They will see that you live your life differently—that your joy, trust, and confidence in Jesus make you different from everyone else, and chances are, they’ll want to know why.
6. SHARE YOUR STORY
Your story is powerful!
If you’ve never thought about it before, consider writing down how you came to know Jesus. How did you decide to follow Him? Saint Peter tells us to “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for your hope.” -1 Peter 3:15.
Always be ready to share when someone asks!
7. PRACTICE HOSPITALITY
Hospitality is a key aspect of Catholic evangelization outreach. You can make others feel welcome with thoughtful gestures, like starting a friendly conversation or introducing a new face to the group. Hospitality isn’t just about bringing treats—it’s also about inviting a quieter person to take the first helping.
8. SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH AN INVITATION
Sharing the Gospel is the heart of evangelization! There are a lot of ways to share the story of Jesus, but at its core, the Gospel includes four main points:
- You were made for a relationship with God.
- Sin creates a chasm between you and God.
- God became man in Jesus, and he died for your sins to repair your relationship with God.
- Every human person has the opportunity to have a relationship with God if they accept God’s invitation!
When you’re sharing these points with a person in a conversation, you can encourage your friend to accept God’s invitation using a question like, “Would you like to invite Jesus to be the center of your life?” If they say no, let them know you understand and continue to pray for them. If they say yes, celebrate and pray with them! We provide additional guidance and Catholic digital resources through SEEK Replay, to help you share the Gospel message, so don’t miss out on checking these out!
9. ENCOUNTER CHRIST TOGETHER
A commitment to making Jesus the center of your life isn’t a one-and-done deal.
Continue to invite them to spend time with you and to come to know Jesus more deeply. This might mean going on a retreat or a mission trip, starting a Bible Study, attending a FOCUS SEEK conference, attending RCIA together—and, of course, continuing to spend time together doing things you love to do. Don’t miss out on accessing our free Catholic resources on our website and on FOCUS Equip, available to help you along this journey.
10. TEACH OTHERS TO DO THE SAME
Teach your friends how to evangelize too, and do it together! Saint Paul writes, “What you have heard from me…entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.” -2 Timothy 2:2.
Jesus sent His apostles into the world by reaching out to individuals who would be able to teach others.
By integrating these evangelization strategies into your daily life, you can share the faith effectively and ultimately build lasting relationships that reflect the love and joy found in Jesus Christ. Every small step helps fulfill the Great Commission and deepen your life in Christ.
Additional Resources
If you’re new to evangelization, you need to look at our guide on how to share your personal faith journey in “How To Share Your Testimony (for Catholics).”
Watch Fr. Mike Schmitz give a talk at SLS2016 about how you can bring the Good News to the places where you live.
For even more great Catholic resources, check out our podcast, which features talks from our SEEK conference, and our YouTube channel for videos and more!
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