We have seen that works show people they are loved, and wonders show that it is God’s love breaking into their lives. But without words, most people will simply conclude, “There are still some nice people in the world,” and move on.

They might feel helped. They might feel grateful. But they will not necessarily connect what happened to Jesus.

That is why words matter.

Always Be Prepared

Peter puts it like this:

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
1 Peter 3:15

Notice two things:

1/ Always be prepared.
This implies intentionality. We are not waiting to “wing it” if someone ever asks. We have thought about what we will say. We have practised it. We are ready.

2/ With gentleness and respect.
Our goal is not to win arguments. Our goal is to win people. The tone matters as much as the content. If our words are sharp, pushy or arrogant, we misrepresent the One who is “gentle and humble in heart.”

Words are not about delivering a sales pitch. They are about explaining the hope that you actually live with.

The Power of Questions

Before we talk about what to say, we need to talk about how to listen.

Jesus, the One who knew everything, asked 303 questions in the gospels. That should stop us in our tracks. If anyone had the right to just download truth, it was Him. Yet He constantly asked things like:

• “What do you want me to do for you?”

• “Who do you say I am?”

• “What were you arguing about on the road?” (Mark 9:33)

Questions are powerful because they do at least three things:

1/ They honour the other person.
You are saying, “Your thoughts and experiences matter. I want to hear them.”

2/ They help people think.

Many people have never really examined what they believe. A good question forces them to slow down and reflect.

3/ They lower defensiveness.
A statement can feel like a challenge. A question feels like an invitation.

Think of questions like:

• “How did you come to believe that?”

• “What do you think happens after we die?”

• “Have you ever had an experience that made you wonder if God might be real?”

You are not interrogating. You are being genuinely curious. And as people open up, you earn the right to share your own story.

Your 15-Second Testimony

One of the most helpful tools I have found is the “15-second testimony.” It is a simple way of sharing what Jesus has done in your life without rambling, preaching or going off on rabbit trails.

Here is the basic structure:

“There was a time in my life when…”
Two words that describe what life was like before Jesus.

“Then…”
Two words that describe what happened when you encountered Jesus.

“Now…”
Two words that describe the difference He has made.

For example:

“There was a time in my life when I was hopeless and addicted.
Then I was forgiven by Jesus and chose to follow Him.
Now I know God as my Father and my life has purpose.”

That is it. Simple, clear, honest.

You can adapt it to your story:

The point is not to impress anyone. The point is to be ready. When someone asks, “Why are you like this?” or “How did you get through that?” you have a short, clear way to point to Jesus.

And often, that simple testimony opens the door to a deeper conversation.

Connecting God’s Story With Their Story

Your story is powerful, but it is not the only story. God has given us an entire library of stories in Scripture that reveal His heart, His character and His ways.

One of the most effective ways to move from “spiritual conversation” to “discovery conversation” is to share a Bible story that connects with what the person is going through.

Imagine someone tells you they feel far from God and unsure if He would ever accept them. You might say something like:

“I used to see God that way too. But Jesus tells a story that really changed how I see Him. It is about a son who basically says to his father, ‘I wish you were dead,’ takes his inheritance early and then wastes it all. When he has nothing left, he decides to go home and beg to be a servant. But while he is still a long way off, his father sees him, runs to him, hugs him and throws a party.
That story always speaks to me. What stands out to you about the father in that story?”

You have just:

Shared God’s story in everyday language.

Connected it to their experience.

Asked a question that invites them to engage.

You are not preaching at them. You are discovering together what God is like.

If they respond positively, you might say, “I love looking at stories from the life of Jesus like that. Would you like to meet up sometime and look at a few more together?”

That is a natural bridge into a Discovery Bible Study or simple Bible reading together.

Tools That Help

There are some simple tools that can make this easier:

The 3 Circles Gospel

A visual way of explaining the gospel using three circles: God’s design, brokenness, and Jesus. It helps people see the big picture of why the world is the way it is and how Jesus restores us.

Discovery Bible Study (DBS)

A simple format where you read a passage, retell it in your own words, ask what it teaches about God and people, and decide what you will do in response. It is highly reproducible and puts the Bible, not you, at the centre.

You do not need to master every tool. Start with one. Get comfortable with it. Use it as a way to help people move from curiosity to actually encountering God in His

word.

Putting It All Together

Let’s zoom out for a moment.

• Works open hearts by showing people they are loved.

• Wonders open eyes by showing that God is real and active.

• Words open understanding by explaining who Jesus is and what He has done.

When all three are present, something powerful happens. People do not just experience kindness; they encounter Christ. They do not just receive help; they receive hope. They do not just see power; they meet the Person behind the power.

You do not need to be equally strong in all three. Most of us will feel more comfortable in one area than the others. But you can grow. You can take small steps.

Maybe for you, the next step is:

• Spending more time “in the harvest,” looking for practical ways to serve.

• Taking a risk to pray for someone’s healing or breakthrough.

• Writing and practising your 15-second testimony until it feels natural.

Your Assignment

Here is your activation for this week:

1/ Write your 15-second testimony.

Use the simple framework:
Keep it short, clear and honest.

Practise it out loud until you can say it without reading. You want it to feel natural, not rehearsed.

2/ Ask God for one opportunity this weekto share it with someone who does not yet follow Jesus. It might be in response to a question. It might be after you have listened well and asked good questions of them.

3/ Look for a moment to connect God’s story with their story.
If they share a struggle, ask the Holy Spirit to bring a Bible story to mind that relates. Share it simply and ask, “What stands out to you about God in that story?”

Remember, the goal is not to become a professional evangelist. The goal is to become an ordinary disciple who uses words, works and wonders to point people to Jesus.

You do not have to get it perfect. You just have to be willing.

Your imperfect, stumbling words, backed up by genuine love and the power of the Holy Spirit, are far more powerful than you think.

Let’s go and engage with lost people the way Jesus did: with works that show they are loved, wonders that show it is God’s love, and words that explain the hope we carry.

Standing with you

Simon