Sharing Jesus Without Freaking Out: Evangelism the Way You Were Born to Do It

This book drastically changed the way I think about and live out evangelism. Many of the things the authors pointed out as counter productive (sales pitch mentality, or adding another notch in my evangelizing encounters belt) I was doing on the regular, with very little fruit coming from it. Since even starting to read this book my conversations with nonbelievers about Jesus have been more frequent and more fruitful. Thanks to the authors for this wonderful work! It’s definitely already being used to edify and equip the Church.

This book does a great job of demystifying the biblical directive to share the good news about Jesus with others. Having trained in formal evangelism techniques, this book feels like a breath of fresh air. I recommend this to anyone who is stressed out (or freaked out) about sharing their faith.

Great book! Reads like a casual conversation and makes great, encouraging points about evangelism. I would recommend this to anyone who feels afraid or overwhelmed when it comes to sharing the gospel.

Sharing Jesus Without Freaking Out is a book I wish someone had handed me early in my walk with Jesus. I came to Christ as an adult after over a decade of skepticism of all things religious, and it became clear to me early on in my walk with Christ that part of following him was sharing my faith with others. The thing with evangelism is that though all Christians are called to share their faith, not every Christian has the calling of an evangelist. Forget standing on a street corner and proclaiming the good news of Christ, most of us aren’t even comfortable having a spiritual conversation with a coworker at lunch. So, if you’re a natural evangelist, the church thanks you because the church needs you! But, as I said, Christ calls all of his people—not just pastors and missionaries—to be disciple-makers and witnesses of his goodness and salvation—no exceptions. D. Scott Hildreth and Steven A. McKinion have written a book for the rest of us, who “freak out” when we think about sharing our faith.What they lay out can best be described as “lifestyle evangelism,” and it’s so common-sense-based, you almost ask yourself, “Why didn’t I think of this?” Yet, I think so many of us have been thinking of evangelism in such a narrow way we’ve convinced ourselves we can’t do it. We think that if every conversation doesn’t end with us calling the person to repentance and faith (with complementary Bible verses), we’re not doing evangelism right.To start, one way to open the door to sharing your faith is to live as Christ calls us to live, which includes caring for people and letting those relationships bloom and lead to conversations—conversations which will allow you to share your faith naturally. Instead of worrying about how to answer every objection, instead focus on simply explaining the big story of the Bible and making sure the person understands it. I even once said to someone, “Listen, I know you don’t believe in it, but I just want to make sure you understand what the Bible teaches and what I believe.” Your goal isn’t to win a debate, but to tell the story of the Bible. Again, this happens best in dialogues—not monologues—in relationships.The authors remind us that conversion is the work of the Holy Spirit; we don’t convert anyone, but we’re called to be faithful. Our role is to “(1) retell the story of the gospel clearly, accurately, and convincingly; (2) try to eliminate any roadblocks or stumbling blocks from their minds that may keep them from understanding what Christ did for them; and (3) bring questions to their minds that show their need for a savior.” (I highly recommend the book Tactics by Greg Koukl, which compliments this book beautifully. If I were to teach an evangelism class, these would be the two main books I would use.)Hildreth and McKinion’s book could easily be re-named, Don’t Be Scared: It’s Only Evangelism. I’ve been in ministry full-time a few years now, and I’m still not a natural evangelist. It takes effort and intentionality for me. There are certainly times when the Holy Spirit is already working on someone and that person is ready to receive the gospel as soon as they hear it proclaimed. But my experience has been that the most fruitful gospel encounters have taken place in the context of conversations between friends. Sharing Jesus Without Freaking Out is a welcomed guide for those of us who don’t want to come across as salesmen making a pitch, but instead as lovers of Christ sharing Christ in love.*B&H Publishing provided me with a free copy of this book for review.

For those serious about Christian witnessing and evangelism, this 8 chapter book is a disappointment because it is not firmly or even intentionally based on truth, but on superficial techniques, and subjective valuation of "feelings." The opinions or imagination of the two men who authored this book.It speaks of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with hardly any reference to the person and work of Christ,prayer, or the Holy Spirit. Or the enemy (the devil). It speaks of it as merely a technique, "like learning to sew [you can do it]." (Do what? is not really even answered)There are some Scriptural references in the book, but many are badly out of context, as if an afterthought to justify the authors' technique. E.g. Acts 17 is cited as a basis for gospel "conversation," based on equal-footing of truths and preliminary establishment of social relations. While the latter may be helpful, the passage is about the Apostle Paul having just escaped violent opposition in Thessalonica, going to Athens and disputing idolatry there, in a public setting, based on the Scriptures and His authority as an Apostle.The book makes light of serious subject matter and seems aimed at making one feel self-justified without having actually engaged in biblical evangelism.

Book print is so tiny, gift, I thought I would review Kindle sample but it would not open Tried to review twice. Afraid to purchase since sample won’t load.

I love these books and they teach some wonderful things but over and over I see these and they are only in one language. that just isn't o.k. In our country now. especially when 60% or more is some kind of Spanish. I am CEF MISSIONARY AND I LOVE NOTHING BETTER THAN TEACHING TEACHERS HOW TO LEAD A CHILD TO CHRIST. BUT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO ASO LEAD THEIR CAREGIVERS TO CHRIST. AND OVER AND OVER I HAVE YOUNG AND OLDER SPANISH TEACHERS ASK ME TO HELP THEM FIND SMALL BOOKS TO GUIDE THEM IN WITNESSING AND LEADING PARENTS TO CHRIST THAT HAVE BEEN CATHOLIC THEIR WHOLE LIVES. AND EVERY TIME I GO ONLINE TO AMAZON ---- ALL I SEE IS ENGLISH ENGLISH ENGLISH. THIS IS SOO WRONG. IF YOU ARE A WRITER YOU NEED TO INSIST THAT THE FIRST PRINTINGS OF YOUR BOOK BE ENGLISH AND SPANISH BUT WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU WILL WANT MORE LANGUAGES AVAILABLE DEPENDING ON WHERE THEINFLUENCE IS LEADING. PLEASE, PLEEEZE, WON'T SOMEBODY CARE ABOUT THESE HUNGRY BROTHERS AND SISTERS? THEY ARE IN THE FREIST NATION IN THE WORLD AND CAN BUY A BIBLE FOR A 1.00 BUT A BOOK TO TEACH YOU HOW TO WITNESS NOTHING. PLEASE PLEASE WON'T SOMEBODY LISTEN? GOD MADE THES PEOPLE AND HE LOVES THEM ALL NOT JUST AMERICANS THAT SPEAK ENGLISH.