Get Real

Growing up in small town Mississippi, I can remember the days of knocking on doors, giving my five-minute presentation, and leaving defeated. Those types of experiences have left many of us saying, “I cannot share the gospel.” That method of evangelism is bad for you, bad for them, and bad all-around. But what if there was a way of evangelizing that was more natural, more real? This is exactly the method conveyed by John Leonard in Get Real. One chapter title summarizes the entirety of the book best - “For Christ’s sake, be normal!”

The premise of this short book is very simple - if we are to share the gospel with others, we must care about others. If we want them to inherit eternal life, we must do life together. Suddenly, our five-minute presentation has been transformed into something totally different. Now, we are no longer focused on what we have to say; instead, we can listen to what they have to say. The understanding gained by listening tailors our approach to the gospel around the person. Now, we are no longer bound to knock on every door on our own strength; instead, we can share with those whom Christ leads to us. The bank teller, the cashier, the friendly face in town - each of these come to us as potential opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Now, we no longer have to paint the image of perfection; instead, we can do life together and allow them to see the gospel at work day-by-day.

Do you see the problem with this approach? Now, we must know more than our five-minute presentation. The gospel must be a vital aspect of our lives so that we can share it with others. A glass can only spill what it contains. We may not be able to enter into every situation and say, “I know what you mean”, but we can say, “But I know Christ.” If we are to walk with people, we must first walk with Christ. The evangelism becomes more natural as we naturally walk with Christ.

If you want to improve your evangelism in 2022, consider this brief book. You can purchase it here.