St. Teresa of Ávila, the 16th-century Carmelite nun and reformer, spoke out against a kind of serious Catholicism: “From silly devotions and sour-faced saints, good Lord, deliver us.”
St. Francis of Assisi was a self-proclaimed “fool for Christ” who let the joy of the Lord flow through him. They reached thousands in their lifetime for Christ and continue to do so today.
In today’s world, especially among friends, we often prefer light-heartedness over seriousness. This approach helps us bond better, and the same is true when it comes to evangelization. As Catholics, we should radiate the joy, peace, and Christ brings us.
So, how do we do this? Read on to find out!
1. Remember Where You Came From
Most people already have a perception of what Christians are about. This is part of the reality of living in a post-Christian culture – they’ve either heard the message before or at the very least, think they have.
Some common perceptions non-believers have of believers is that we are “know-it-alls,” rule followers, or over-intellectuals who are divorced from real life.
So as a starting point, remember where you come from. Remember that you, too, are a recipient of grace, that you too are a sinner in need of a Savior. When these realities are internalized and digested, you will find yourself on a level playing field, more humble, and less tempted to judge. That way, the conversation will be a “we’re more alike than we are different” conversation that can lead to dialogue, rather than one-way preaching.
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2. Ask Questions And Listen
Someone once said, “The first duty of love is to listen.”
We often think we need a lot of the right words or precise formula to win others, but in reality, people are more willing to tell you exactly where they are spiritually if we are willing to listen to them.
Asking questions communicates that you’re not assuming you know what they believe or what they need. Genuine questions about their life experience, their trials, and their family go a long way in building trust and respect. In fact you may not talk about anything “spiritual” for weeks or months in getting to know someone. Eventually, we can start to ask about their spiritual life, what they believe in – what the purpose of life is.
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3. Lighten Up And Share Your Story
Try not to take yourself too seriously, and don’t be so worried about always saying the right thing at the right time. If you have truly come to Christ, then you have experienced the joy and freedom of being loved unconditionally, as you are and not as you should be.
Given this reality as a child of God, when you share your story, let others hear and see a glimpse of this as well. Authentic joy and compassion speak volumes. People recognize sincerity when they see it.
As you share your story, recount what happened when you encountered Jesus and how He intervened, guided, healed, spoke to, or touched your life. Share why He is the reason for your peace, for your hope, for your confidence in life. If you have asked questions and listened, you’re sure to have a listener in return. God will take you up on your offer to be his instrument if you ask Him. He will open doors to faith conversation and place you in situations you wouldn’t have imagined. There may be no greater way to grow in your faith this summer than to give it away to someone else.
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Additional Resources
Ready to evangelize? Check out our articles to help you prepare to share your testimony and go out and spread the Gospel. Then, take it deeper by learning about FOCUS’s “Missionary Discipleship” approach in this article and this article.
Stop by our YouTube channel and search “evangelization” to watch tons of great content from our SEEK conferences, podcasts, and more.
For even more great Catholic resources, you can check out our podcast with talks from our SEEK conference and our YouTube channel for videos, and more!
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