How to be a “doer” of the Word in evangelism

James 1:22 says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”  How can we be a doer of the Word in evangelism?

Pray for opportunity.
Pray as Paul did in Colossians 4:3 that “God would open to us a door for the word.”  God can take a person who is totally closed one day and cause him to be totally open the next.  So pray for an open door and then walk in faith expecting to find receptive people.  That open door might be a relative, neighbor, friend, co-worker or complete stranger.

Know your message.
The message you have for lost people is not the entire 66 books of the Bible.  It’s the ten words of the gospel as defined in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 – Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead.  Keep your message as simple as God keeps it.  Be equally clear as to what God is asking lost people to do – believe – which means to trust in Christ alone as your only way to heaven.  John 6:47 says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.”

Ask God for boldness.
You’ve asked Him for opportunity and mastered your message.  Now ask God for the boldness to share it.  The early disciples did this in the midst of persecution.  We read, “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word” (Acts 4:29).  Two verses later we are told, “they spoke the word of God with boldness.”  Express your fears to God and boldness will overcome fear instead of fear overcoming boldness.

Now follow up.
Once a person comes to Christ, he needs to learn how to grow in Christ.  Second Peter 3:18 admonishes us, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”  Meet with them once a week for eight weeks or find someone who can.  Teach them basics such as how to evangelize their friends, how to study the Bible and the importance of fellowship in a local church.  Don’t overwhelm them.  Take them one step at a time.

Doers of the Word!  That is what God desires us to be in evangelism.  Honor Him with your obedience and watch Him honor you with results.