Lloyd Pulley is the senior pastor at Calvary Chapel Old Bridge in New Jersey and author of Everyday Conversations, Eternal Impact.
After 9/11, Pulley spent time in New York City sitting with those who had been traumatized, listening to them and their stories. During these months of ministry with wounded strangers, Pulley had a revelation from Jesus Himself.
A revelation for those who desire to share Jesus with others as well as those who desire to know that they are loved by God.
During this chaotic time, Pulley was studying the story of Jesus’ encounter with a Samaritan woman. As he read the verses from John 4, he realized that the Samaritan woman’s encounter with Jesus was not only life changing for her, but is an everyday model for us in how we can reach the hearts of the lost.
For the lost who are living in sin and know it. And for the lost who have been battered and abused by life after making one bad decision after another.
Know anyone like that? Were you or are you someone like that?
The things Jesus said to the Samaritan woman and the questions He asked were undergirded by godly wisdom that in turn revealed Himself to her and His love for her. Jesus was intentional in the way He communicated to her.
I want to be able to speak to others like Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman. But how do I start a conversation about Jesus with a total stranger? What’s the best way to talk to people about sin without making them feel worse and turning them away from Christ?
Pulley uses the acronym S.H.A.R.E. to explain how to offer the gospel to others as Jesus did in this story. S.H.A.R.E. means:
S – Sensitive to the Spirit
H – Humbly Build a Bridge
A – Arouse Interest
R – Reveal Sin
E – Explain the Plan of Salvation
With each letter, he explains how to engage others in conversation about Jesus in a genuine way. A way that may or may not lead them to a relationship with Christ, but a way that will let the person you are talking with know that there is a God whose name is Jesus, He is loving and He wants to be in relationship with each of us.
Pulley reminded me that if I let the Lord lead my conversations, I can rest assured knowing that each conversation I have about Jesus is ultimately in His hands.
This book has been a mirror for me; helping me to see times I have hurt others with my attempts to share Christ. It has also shown me times when I thought I messed it all up, and while the outcome wasn’t exactly as I had hoped, I was right where the Lord wanted me to be.
Do you struggle with evangelism and sharing the gospel with others? Are you ever uncertain about when is the right time to talk about Jesus, the need for a Savior, and the realities of sin?
Tell me how you start the conversation and how you approach the subject without alienating the other person.