How do you get permission to share Christ?

How Do We Gain “Permission”?

For Permission Evangelism to work, we need to learn to recognize a heart that is open to hear the Gospel. There are times when people are openly asking us to share our beliefs and talk about our relationship with Christ—and we don’t even know it. Quite often, unbelievers and seekers open the door for us to share Christ with them without expressing that desire in words. For some seekers, an invitation for us to witness to them can be found in their actions or conversations.

Always look for an occasion to share the Gospel with someone, whether that someone is a friend, relative, or a recent acquaintance. God gives us divine appointments, and we need to be alert and able to recognize the opportunities He gives us to share our faith.

Learn to Recognize Permission to Share our Faith:

1. When people walk into your church

In 1 Corinthians 14:24-25, we see an example of unbelievers coming to Christ during a church service.

²⁴But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, ²⁵and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

If a friend or stranger comes to a regular church service, they are in essence giving you permission to share the Gospel with them. Therefore, you can feel free to reinforce the message:Ask specific to guage their understanding, and invite them to respond to the offer of salvation.

2. When people use “religion” to justify their actions or lifestyle

Have you ever heard someone claim membership to a religious organization or affiliation when confronted with sin or inconsistencies in their lifestyle? People often try to hide behind a religious façade to justify themselves and their behavior. They know that their lives are not right, and they’re embarrassed to admit it.

When they say, “I have personal beliefs, or “I was raised by religious parents” or “I do go to church!” you have their permission to ask them about their spiritual life. Sometimes they will openly admit that they have been away from God but desire to come back and rekindle their spirituality.The goal is not to show them their hypocrisy, but rather to lead them to a spiritual life that supersedes religion.

3. When people have questions about life’s trials

The world’s system cannot offer real solutions to life’s trials; only God can. In scripture, we have the assurance that through Christ, we can overcome all hardships and difficulties.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13

The message that Jesus Christ came to give us life and life more abundantly will forever be a relevant message to people who have questions about the trials they are enduring. We should feel free to share Christ with anyone who is struggling with life’s problems.

4. When people try to justify their sinful lifestyle

Have you ever heard someone brag about “joining their friends in hell” when they die? If so, you should use that opportunity to express your joy in joining your friends and Jesus in Heaven. People may jokingly talk about going to hell without realizing the gravity of their comments. When they bring up the subject of an afterlife, you have permission to tell them about eternal life in Jesus.

5. When people desire a relationship with you

In various parts of your social and professional life, you have opportunities to develop relationships. Regardless of how it begins, if a person is willing to get to know you and open up to you, you’ve got an open door to communicating the Gospel truth to them.

6. When people ask for help or advice

It is one thing when we as Christians approach a person “cold turkey” and attempt to share Christ. It is quite another thing when someone comes to us for help or advice. We should look at this as an open invitation to share the source of all real help, Jesus Christ.

7. When people ask about your faith

Chances are, you’ve been asked, “How can you be so happy?” or “Where do you get your strength to get through difficult times?” When someone approaches you this way, you have gained their permission to tell them about the source of all real joy, Jesus Christ.

8. When people respond to a sermon.

Most altar calls are a direct call to individuals to receive Christ or to come forward for specific prayer needs. When people respond to the call and approach the altar, they have given permission to share Christ with them. In churches where there are no altar calls, you may respond to any other expression of accepting Christ or the desire for specific prayer needs. Be sure to let them know that regardless of their past sins, those sins can be forgiven because Christ died for them.

9. When people respond to mail-outs.

Churches sometimes send out a general mailing to the community to provoke response from individuals who may have interest in the church. When a person responds, you have permission to contact that person. Once you respond to their inquiry, if you see evidence of further interest, you may gain permission to move to the next step, which may be to share Christ with them.

10. When people give interviews for surveys

Many churches use door-to-door surveys about spiritually related matters to locate people who are open to hearing the Gospel. If you find someone who will take the time to answer questions, you also have an opportunity to ask about their relationship with Christ. You might ask, “What do you think the Bible teaches about how to get to heaven?” Once they respond, ask if you may share Christ with them—that’s your permission to share the truth of Jesus.

11. When people come for counseling

One of the greatest services offered by churches church is Godly counsel. When a person approaches a Christian or Christian counselor for advice and guidance, and if he confides in you about a problem, he is giving expressed permission to speak about the power of the Holy Spirit. You also have permission to deal with any sin he may be experiencing or anything that is keeping him away from Christ.

12. When people fill out a visitor’s card

Most churches make visitor’s cards available for newcomers to complete. These cards are useful in obtaining a newcomer’s information and prayer requests. If a person also gives permission to be contacted, by all means do so.

13. When people’s children come to Christ

Whether in Sunday School, through a parent, at a camp or in a small group setting, most of us came to Christ early in life. As people get older, the chances of them getting saved grows less and less probable. So, when a child gives his life to Christ, you have a great opportunity to share Christ with his parents too.