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Articles
Digital Evangelism (part 2)
The internet has opened new doors to share the gospel with people in our own community and around the world. While digital evangelism is certainly not a specified command necessary for Christians to maintain a relationship with God, it is a great opportunity for those looking for ways to effectively share the gospel. Benefits to digital evangelism were expressed in a previous article. Here are some ideas for how to get started and make the most of your digital evangelism efforts.
Think like a missionary. Before you post anything online, (personal, political, etc.) consider the impact that post may have on your ability to share the gospel with those who see it. When a Christian posts partisan political content, there is a great possibility of closing any doors to talk with people of opposing views about God. Are you more concerned with winning people to your political party, or to helping people join the kingdom of God? When you are done posting something online, could you turn right around and ask those who view that post for a Bible study? You never stop influencing people, so make sure your influence glorifies God.
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”
When you post things on social media sites, post strategically. You may actually limit your influence if you only ever post Bible verses and sermons. Posting personal things helps people see that Christians are real people who lead joyful lives. At the same time, be careful not to share or endorse things that contradict your mission of glorifying God. Show yourself to be “a pattern of good works,” so that “one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you,” (Titus 2:7-8). Do not give people ammunition to call you a hypocrite. Also remember to “do all things without complaining and disputing,” (Philippians 2:14).
Intentionally post things of a spiritual nature. You do not have to create your own content to share - find other faithful Christians online and share their content! Post a link to a podcast. Share a sermon and write a comment about it. (By the way, when you share a video and say something about it, the social media algorithms will show that post to more people than if you just share the video without comment). The goal is to open yourself up to have a dialogue with someone who needs to hear the gospel. At the very least, you are letting people know they can come to you if they have a question about God or His word.
Keep things simple. Ask people how you can pray for them. Write something positive about worship service, Bible class, or your church family. Post a Bible verse. Tell about your daily Bible reading and how it has affected you.
Keep arguments private. If someone leaves an inappropriate comment on your post, you have the ability to hide or delete that comment. Talk to that person through private messaging. You should expect pushback any time you attempt to share the gospel, because Satan is alive and active. He’s not going to make this easy on you, because he wants you to give up. When you are faced with disagreement, remember the words of II Timothy 2:23-26:
“But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.”
Digital evangelism can also be more personal than simply sharing things on social media. Do not be afraid to reach out to people in private messages as well. If you come across a passage or hear a lesson that you really think someone else would benefit from, just send it to that person in a text message.
We are blessed to have so many opportunities to share the gospel through digital evangelism. Do you need help getting started? Reach out to Dustin for assistance.
*Special thanks to brother Mark Roberts for the ideas in his lesson: New Hope in Evangelism - Go! Into the 21st Century on the Palm Springs Drive Church of Christ website: https://www.psd.church/recordings/gospel-meetings/2023/04/02/holding
