42310 Digital Tools for Evangelism

There is a growing number of online tools for evangelism. The following websites and apps are developed by other ministries. All the links are external.

Websites

Knowing God Personally

Knowing God Personally is an evangelistic website by Cru.

Peace with God

Peace with God is a website by Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

The Bridge to Life

The Bridge to Life is a presentation developed by The Navigators. You can also download a PDF version HERE.

40106 Digital Evangelism

Today, a growing number of people lives in two worlds simultaneously – the physical realm and digital realm. The ways we communicate with each other, gather news and information, and exchange ideas, thoughts and feelings are shaped by all the digital devices, social media, various websites, thousands of apps, and other Internet-related services.

The Tale of the Two Worlds

Today, a growing number of people lives in two realms simultaneously – the physical world and cyberspace. The ways we communicate with each other, gather news and information, and exchange and form ideas, thoughts and feelings are shaped by the digital realm through social media, various websites, thousands of apps, and other Internet-related services. 

“You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need, that it would give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” – Ephesians 4:29-30

This applies to our digital presence. How we conduct ourselves in the cyberspace can please or grieve the Holy Spirit just as much as our behavior in the physical world. Technology is merely a tool. It is a gift of the Creative God. It will be abused. It should be used to honor God. Because Christians are commanded to steward well everything God has entrusted to us, we should not be mere users and consumers of technology but also be prayerfully active in shaping the digital realm. To do this, however, you do not have to be technologists. You just need to be mindful of God whenever you are online.

Representing Jesus in the Digital Realm

The kingdom of God advances where his people are present. The digital realm is no different. Because it is a place where people virtually gather and interact with each other, God’s people are to bring the light of the glory of the Gospel of Jesus to the cyberspace.

How can you be a good witness for Jesus online? One effective way you can share your faith in the digital realm is to use this JoApp.

Share

Share with your family and friends the evangelistic articles available in this app (see Evangelistic Article sections). Read the articles first to find an appropriate one to share. When you share an article, you can say something like “You may find this article interesting” or “I found this article helpful, and I thought you might enjoy reading it” and send them the link by using the “Sharing” function of the app. By doing this, you are simply showing that you care about them.

You can also watch evangelistic videos together with others. Afterwards, ask them what they have thought about the video. It can open up opportunities for meaningful spiritual conversations.

Learn

Train yourself in how to share your faith by reading articles in this app (see “Sharing Your Faith” section).

Are you new to evangelism? Begin by reading “What Is Evangelism?” You will learn what evangelism really is and how simple it is. “Evangelism Is A Process” helps you with the Biblical understanding of evangelism.

Are you wondering why we should even be talking about Jesus with others? Read, “Reasons Why Believers Should Witness” and discover why it is critical for believers to be witnesses for Christ.

Are you afraid of talking about Jesus with others? “Why Christians Fail to Witness” unpacks some common reasons and explains how we can view witnessing differently.

Are you frustrated with your apparent ineffectiveness in evangelism? Read “The Importance of Scripture” and “The Power of Prayer in Evangelism” for encouragement.

Train

You can use these same articles to train others in evangelism. Follow the steps below.

  1. Invite them to download and install the JoApp.
  2. Ask them to read the articles and discuss the topics together. It is okay if you don’t have an answer to their questions. You can just say, “That’s a great question! I don’t have a good answer right now. I will look into that and let you know what I learn!” If you don’t know where to find an answer, contact us via message in the Community section. We will be happy to help!
  3. Ask them to make a list of people (family members, relatives, friends, co-workers) they feel burdened for their salvation.
  4. Ask them to regularly pray for their salvation and for God’s leading for opportunities to share the Gospel. You can pray for them, too.
  5. Remind them to be mindful of the leading of the Holy Spirit throughout the day for opportunities to bring up a spiritual conversation and to share the Gospel.
  6. When they have a chance to engage a spiritual conversation, they can share the articles found in “Evangelistic Articles” or watch together videos found in “Evangelistic Videos”.
  7. When a person has made a decision to believe in Jesus as his/her Savior and Lord, they can share “Next Steps for New Believers” to help them begin their walk with Jesus.

37110.1 Endnotes God’s Heavenly Love

God’s Heavenly Love

1 Richard Sigmund, My Time in Heaven (New Kingdom: Whitaker House, 2004), 120.
2 Howard Storm, My Descent into Death (New York: Doubleday, 2005), 26-27.
3 Mary C. Neal, To Heaven and Back (Colorado Springs: WaterBrook Press, 2011), 70-73.
4 Crystal McVea, Walking up in Heaven (New York: Howard Books, 2013), 164.
5 Eben Alexander, Proof of Heaven (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2012), 40, 71.
6 John Burke, Imagine Heaven (Grand Rapids: BakerBooks, 2015), 140.

37201 Hope Begins with a New Relationship

Whether its financial pressures, broken relationships, political upheaval, or something else – the future looks dim.

But God wants to lift you out of your depression and despair. He wants you to experience peace, confidence and joy.

God is able to change your life for the better. He has the power, the desire, and the commitment to help you experience his best for all eternity.

If you need hope, it begins with a personal relationship with God.

God Loves You

The very God who created the universe desires a relationship with you. Not because He is needy, but because His very nature is love. God wants you to know Him and enjoy His magnificence. You are significant because the Creator of the Universe custom designed you in His image.

You are created for God. You exist here and now for a purpose. Listen to God’s words,

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)

God has a wonderful plan for your life. His plan is to give you hope! So what’s missing? Why do you feel hopeless? There’s a problem. . .

Separation from God

The problem is SIN. It’s a small word with enormous implications. Sin separates us from God.

The problem is we all have made wrong choices in life. The Bible calls these wrong choices “sin” which in the original Greek language means “missing the mark” … like an archer missing his target.

The Apostle Paul explains,

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23, NIV).

Have you ever really thought about your own personal sin?

The Bible teaches us that God is absolutely pure and holy … and that He cannot tolerate sin. The Bible states,

For the wages of sin is death…(Romans 6:23, NLT)

Just when it all seems so hopeless, God intervenes. He has made a way for sin to no longer be a barrier. God has a solution. . 

Jesus Died for You

The Apostle Paul explained God’s solution,

“God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, NIV).

In spite of our sinfulness, our loving and merciful God found a way for us to have a personal relationship with Him!

Jesus was crucified on a cross and then buried in a heavily guarded tomb. All hope seemed lost. But, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day … just as He had promised (Matthew 16:21)!

Wow! Isn’t that incredible? Jesus paid the penalty for our sins so we can spend eternity in heaven with God.

God’s Free Gift

God has made it possible for us to have eternal life!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16, NIV).

But you may be thinking, “What about all the good things I’ve done in my life? They must count for something!” However, because God is holy, He demands absolute perfection.

For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. (James 2:10, NLT)

So regardless whether you keep most of God’s laws or just a few of them, you will fall short of His required standards. It’s not possible to earn your way into heaven through your good deeds. God can only accept sinless perfection. And Jesus was the only one who ever accomplished that.

Jesus is the only way into heaven.

Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me’ (John 14:6, NIV).

Jesus Christ paid for all your sins on the cross … and God’s perfect justice is totally satisfied by the blood of Jesus. He offers you the free gift of eternal life. The questions is, “Will you accept it?”

Spiritual New Birth

So what does it take to begin your personal relationship with God?

Jesus explained the process to a religious leader who came to meet with him secretly one night. He told him, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” John 3:3, NLT

In order for you to begin the journey that leads to heaven you must be born again — this time spiritually. Physical birth produces physical life. Spiritual birth creates spiritual life.

Spiritual new birth is the gateway to a new beginning — the start of your journey with God.

Choose Eternal Life

Jesus came to earth to make it possible for us to have a personal relationship with God for all eternity. When He rose from the dead, His mission was accomplished. He is now offering you a pardon for your sins.

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12, NIV).

Will you accept this free gift from God by receiving Jesus Christ into your life?

Eternal life is a gift from God. You can’t do anything to earn it! But, like any gift, you can choose to accept or reject it.

Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony … God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life (1 John 5:10-12, NIV).

In the original Greek language, the word “believe” means to “trust in, cling to, rely upon.” Becoming a Christian is putting your faith (trust) in Jesus’ death for you on the cross, and in His resurrection for your eternal life. It is a choice that you make.

Receive Christ by Faith

Do you want the forgiveness for sin that Jesus offers?

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV).

In order to receive God’s forgiveness for your sins, you must honestly face the claims of Jesus Christ and believe that He is God, that He died for your sins and rose again, and that He wants to come into your life.

God knows your thoughts and motives. He desires you to come to Him, thanking Him for Jesus’ death for you on the cross. You receive Jesus Christ into your life by personally asking Him to come into your life and forgive your sins. He wants to be your Lord and Savior.

If you haven’t ever invited Jesus into your life, simply pray the following words. But remember, it’s not the words you say but the attitude of your heart that is important.

“Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for dying for all my sins—past, present, and future. Thank you for giving me eternal life, which you made possible by your death and resurrection. I receive you as my Savior by faith, and desire you to be Lord of my life.”

When you ask Jesus Christ into your life, you begin a life with Him here on earth that will extend into all eternity. There are blessings for you to experience now as well as in heaven!

God, who knows your past, present, and future, and who created you for his purpose, is with you and in you! God is your new hope!

37233 Feeling Confused?

Are you feeling confused about your situation? Maybe you’re just not sure what to do when life seems so crazy and unpredictable? Is God still there? And if he is, why isn’t he showing you the way…?

Wait! Stop everything! While it is very easy to fall into this trap of doubt, remember it is just that, a trap. God is not the God of chaos or confusion. He brings clarity and confirmation to all our situations, if we trust in and rely on Him.

So what do you do? First, don’t trust your own feelings of confusion. Lean on God and His Word for clarity and trust that He’s right all the time.

Just as confusion is fed by doubt, so clarity is fed by conviction and belief.

Use the verses below to help redirect your thought-life and focus on the clarity that God wants us all to have. We don’t get to know the future, but we are blessed with promise after promise from His Word about our life. What happens next is up to Him, but trust that He hears you, He sees you, and He knows your heart.

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. (Isaiah 42:16, NIV)

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:6, NIV)

For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. (Psalm 48:14, NIV)

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. (Psalm 32:8, NIV)

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21, NIV)

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. (Proverbs 16:9, NIV)

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterwards you will take me into glory. (Psalm 73:23-24, NIV)

Your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. (Psalm 139:10, NIV)

If the LORD delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm. (Psalm 37:23, NIV)

His God instructs him and teaches him the right way. (Isaiah 28:26, NIV)