5 Tips for Evangelization from Pope Francis
- Guest Contributor
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
Through heartfelt sharing, Scripture, storytelling, the kerygma and prayer, we can effectively invite others to come to know Jesus.
By Meg Stout
When we think of evangelization, what comes to mind? Do we feel equipped to evangelize? We might pressure ourselves with high expectations, thinking we must have the equivalent of a theology degree to adequately explain Church teaching or nerves of steel to win arguments.
The truth is, dominating an argument isn’t that effective a way to win someone over, and we don’t have to have it all perfectly together for God to use us to draw someone closer to him.
In The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis gives us a simpler way, making everyday evangelization accessible. He offers what he calls informal preaching, which is bringing the Gospel into our daily conversations with whomever we meet or are in relationship with. (cf. EG 127)
Pope Francis has one particular paragraph that offers us a lot of guidance on this informal preaching. Here is the majority of that paragraph, and then we’ll get into the practical suggestions:
In this preaching, which is always respectful and gentle, the first step is personal dialogue, when the other person speaks and shares his or her joys, hopes and concerns for loved ones or so many other heartfelt needs. Only afterwards is it possible to bring up God’s word, perhaps by reading a Bible verse or relating a story, but always keeping in mind the fundamental message … If it seems prudent and if the circumstances are right, this fraternal and missionary encounter could end with a brief prayer related to the concerns which the person may have expressed. In this way they will have an experience of being listened to and understood; they will know that their particular situation has been placed before God. (EG 128)
Heartfelt Sharing
It is within the context of personal dialogue that we may have an opportunity to evangelize with this informal preaching. Pope Francis even tells us how we might recognize the right moment. It is when the other person shares something heartfelt — a joy, concern, hope or a need. When we listen to another, and they share something vulnerable, we should recognize that a depth of conversation is opening up and that this may be an opportunity to share the Good News.
Bible Verse
When a person has shared a joy or a struggle, it can be a good time to provide a verse of Scripture that might touch his or her heart. “The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
God’s divinely inspired Word is powerful; it can convert. Are we willing to share a Bible verse? It can take courage. Are we even able? Do we know God’s Word? Scripture must become a part of our lives. It’s easy to start integrating it into your day. Download an app with the daily readings or listen to the Bible in a Year podcast. Memorizing key verses is also important, so that the Word of God is always on our minds, ready on our lips and burning in our hearts. At my parish, our team has a monthly verse to memorize, and we put it as a wallpaper on our phones so we see it frequently. By keeping God’s word in our hearts, we are ready to share when different circumstances arise.
Relating a Story
“Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope” (1 Peter 3:15).
Hearing how God has worked in someone’s life is compelling. Sometime soon, take time to reflect on what God has done in your life. Not only is this a great opportunity to grow in gratitude, but it will also help you witness to his goodness. How has he changed you? Given you hope? Helped you through a difficulty or blessed you with something joyful?
Then formulate just a sentence or two expressing what God did. Try to think in terms of before, how and now. For example, “Before, I was insecure, but God showed me his love was irrevocable, and now I have confidence as his beloved daughter.” This simple testimony opens the door to deeper sharing. You can have many different testimonies of what God has done; trust the Holy Spirit to bring forward one that might lend itself to a future conversation.
Fundamental Message
While doing all of this, Pope Francis reminds us to always keep the fundamental message in mind: the Gospel message. The story we share and the conversation we have should never stray far from the Good News. This keeps Christ at the center. The Gospel message has four main points that can be easily recalled using these words: Created, Captured, Rescued, Response.
Created: God created you in love and has a plan for your life.
Captured: The Enemy captured you through sin, harming that relationship and God’s plan for you.
Rescued: God sent his Son, Jesus, to rescue you by dying for your sins and bring you back into relationship with him.
Response: We are invited to respond by changing our lives and making Jesus our Lord.
Praying Together
Lastly, Pope Francis calls on us to pray together. We are not used to doing this! I would encourage you to try. If you are unsure what to say, you could simply say the prayer Jesus taught us: the Our Father.
As you grow more comfortable creating your own prayer, try to think of what heartfelt thing the person shared, and bring that into your intention: thanking God for a joy or blessing God gave the person, or interceding for a suffering or worry. What your simple prayer does is bring the heart of the other person before God. They will then feel listened to, reverenced and held in love, both by you and by God himself.
This informal preaching can happen quite often if we are attentive to the opportunities God sends us. Try to practice even just one or two of these suggestions from Pope Francis, pray for courage and be assured that the Holy Spirit is at work in the heart of the one you encounter and in you as you spread the Good News.
