How to Share Jesus Without It Getting Weird
We’ve all been there. If you’re a Christian, it’s probably happened to you.
You’re in a conversation — maybe with someone you’ve just met, maybe with someone you’ve known for years — and you start to feel that nudge from the Holy Spirit. That whisper: “Say something. Tell them about Jesus.”
And then… your hands start sweating. Your mouth goes dry. You scramble to think of a way to bring it up without sounding completely awkward — and then you freeze. The moment passes. You didn’t say anything.
I’ve been there more times than I can count.
But I’ve also learned a few things over the years — ways of sharing my faith that don’t feel forced or weird, that actually flow out of real relationships. So here are a few thoughts on how to share Jesus in a way that’s honest, natural, and Spirit-led.
1. Relationships Instead of Random Encounters
Evangelism isn’t about handing out tracts at the mall or awkwardly confronting strangers in the cereal aisle. It’s about sharing Christ through the relationships God’s already placed in your life.
Before I came to faith, there were a few (rare but memorable) moments when I was ambushed by a well-meaning Christian. Someone would knock on the door on a Saturday morning or approach me in public and launch into a gospel pitch. It always felt canned. Sometimes they’d even jam a tract into my hand and walk away. I’m sure their hearts were in the right place, but I’m not sure that style of evangelism was very effective.
There’s a better way — one that’s woven into actual relationships. In Acts 10, Cornelius and his household come to faith. In Acts 16, Lydia’s whole household is baptized. The word for “household” in Greek is oikos, and it means more than just nuclear family. It referred to your broader circle — relatives, neighbors, coworkers, the people in your everyday sphere.
In the first century, the gospel often moved through relationships. And I think that still holds true today.
So ask: Who are the people in my life — my oikos — who don’t know Jesus?
And then: Have I prayed for them lately?
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:3 that no one can truly confess Jesus as Lord except by the Holy Spirit. So start there — with prayer. Ask the Spirit to open a door, give you wisdom, and soften their heart.
2. Let People Know You’re a Christian
This may seem obvious, but in today’s culture — especially in places like the Bay Area — many Christians have gone quiet. Faith is often blamed for everything from social division to hypocrisy, and the pressure to stay silent is real.
But if we’re going to help others see the beauty of the gospel, we have to let them know where we stand.
This doesn’t mean you have to wear Christian T-shirts or blast worship music in your car (though, if that’s your thing, go for it). It can be as simple as mentioning church when someone asks about your weekend. Or referencing your small group when talking about your schedule.
These little things — woven naturally into everyday conversation — send a signal: My faith is part of my life. And that can open the door to deeper conversations, especially when life gets hard.
3. Offer to Pray for People
If people know you’re a Christian, there will come a moment when they’re hurting — a crisis, an illness, a loss — and they’ll turn to you.
When that moment comes, offer to pray for them.
It doesn’t have to be fancy. In fact, the simpler the better. I’ve prayed with dozens of people in hospital rooms, coffee shops, and parking lots — many of them not believers — and I’ve never once had someone refuse.
And remember: even if your words are clunky or unsure, Paul reminds us in Romans 8 that the Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. Prayer matters. People feel it.
4. Tell Your Story, Not a Sales Pitch
In a world full of noise, people are looking for something real — not another argument or pitch. Apologetics has its place, but most people need to believe that Christianity is good before they’ll consider whether it’s true.
That’s where your story comes in.
The apostle Paul shares his story in Acts — who he was, how he encountered Jesus, and what changed. You have a story too. Maybe it was a dramatic turnaround. Maybe it was a slow awakening. Either way, it’s your story — and people can’t argue with that.
You might share how Jesus met you in a hard season. Or how your faith gives you peace, direction, or purpose today. Real stories carry weight. They connect.
5. Be Holy — But Not Holier-Than-Thou
Tim Keller once said that the quickest way to destroy your witness is to live a deeply hypocritical life. Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, so they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
If you say you’re a Christian, but you’re getting drunk every weekend, shacking up with your boyfriend or girlfriend, or gossiping about your coworkers — people notice. And it undermines everything you might say about grace, truth, or hope.
This doesn’t mean you have to be perfect. But your life should reflect what you say you believe. In the end, the most powerful apologetic is often how you live. Your humility, your integrity, your kindness — those speak loudly.
Final Thoughts
Evangelism doesn’t have to be weird. It doesn’t have to be a debate or a performance.
It can be as natural as being real, being present, and being open.
God is already at work in the lives of people around you — your job isn’t to convert them, it’s to be faithful. Share the story. Point to Jesus. Let the Spirit do what only He can do.
And remember — the gospel is too good not to share.