This particular chapter in Disciplines of a Godly Woman, written by Barbara Hughes, is all about sharing Christ with others. Cultivating this discipline may be one of the more difficult ones (if evangelism isn’t one of your gifts) because it requires a woman to step out of her comfort zone. It means I, a woman who prefers to go about life keeping to herself, have to actually open my mouth and talk to someone else. (gasp!) It is something I think a lot about doing (what to say, how to say it, which scripture to use, etc.), but then never really have good opportunities to do it. This is one of my favorite chapters because Hughes is so encouraging. She writes, “My husband is a pastor, but we’ve discovered over the years that the greatest joys in ministry haven’t come in extraordinary church events, but in the normal avenues of everyday person-to-person witness–the things any Christian can do regardless of gifts or calling” (p. 189). So, right off the bat, she confirms that witnessing isn’t something just for the evangelist or the pastor. Jesus calls every believer to share the Truth with someone else.
Hughes uses Andrew as a good example. Andrew wasn’t in the inner circle (Peter, James, and John were). Andrew wasn’t a leader. Scripture doesn’t contain any sermons of his. He was a background figure. Yet, he is almost always used as the model for evangelism. Read what Andrew did here. Hughes outlines four characteristics of Andrew’s heart that we can have, too.

1. He had a knowledgeable heart. “It’s a profound truth: The more intimate and personal your knowledge of Christ, the more natural it is to share Him with others…The key to ongoing effectiveness is a perpetual freshness in your growing knowledge of Christ through God’s Word. Learn about Christ!” (p.191)
2. He had a selfless heart. Hughes says this because Peter was Andrew’s big brother. Rather than becoming jealous of Peter’s position, Andrew was selfless. “The true evangelist’s heart is a selfless heart” (p.192). I can see how this is important for evangelism because if I’m not concerned about myself, then I won’t be afraid of what others will think of me because I am a Christian and want to say something about Jesus. I won’t feel the need to protect myself.
3. He had an optimistic heart. “Our attitude makes all the difference in bringing people to Christ” (p. 192). Hughes uses Andrew’s response to all the hungry people and how to feed them as an illustration of this point. “Andrew saw the value of a small lunch. Have you ever considered what fixing and sharing a simple meal could mean for the Gospel?” (p. 192)
4. He had a big heart. There was a question about whether or not to allow some Greeks to see Jesus. Somehow Andrew understood that the Gospel was for everyone, not just the Jews. “Is there anyone you think is beyond the Gospel’s power to save? The cultural gap is so wide or the rebellion so deep that you feel certain they are hopeless? Don’t you believe it!” (p. 193).

Hughes ends this chapter with a little exercise–which I worked on and would like to encourage you to do the same. Spend some time thinking about all of your relationships–friendships and even casual encounters. “God put us in our particular families, neighborhoods, and workplaces for a reason: He has put us next to people he wants us to influence for Christ” (p. 195). Then, identify those relationships and form a list of prospects and begin to pray for them. Next, begin to invest in those relationships. She even mentions service people–like the folks behind the counter at your favorite eatery. I have a friend-relative (she was my friend before she became a relative) who has done this. She has a favorite deli and she has invested in the employees by taking them snacks like Rice Krispy Treats, giving cards, etc. I don’t know if she was motivated to do this in order to share the gospel (knowing her it may have been), but it is a good example to follow, nonetheless. People aren’t invisible to her.

Never underestimate the results your witness for the Lord may have for someone’s future. God is always pleased to do so much with the little we give Him. And it is never too late to develop the discipline of witness–this is God’s will for us in the Gospel. (p. 197)