Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Sharing Your Faith 101

LESSON 4: WORKPLACE EVANGELISM

“The next great movement of God for evangelism will be in the workplace.” (Billy Graham – IDEA magazine, Sept. 03)

Mark Greene of the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity asks: “Why do we keep fishing in puddles at home where we know few “not-yet” believers when we float at work on a deep lake of fish ready to be caught?”

The Apostle Paul was a workplace evangelist. When he visited towns, he would speak in the synagogues and the marketplace about the Messiah (Acts 18). That was on the Sabbath. For the rest of the week, he earned his living as a tentmaker. It was a curbside trade, so Paul had plenty of time to talk to customers and passersby. While his hands were busy, he shared the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.

The Bible tells of many who met with God in the course of their working day. Moses was tending his father-in-law’s sheep when God spoke to him from the burning bush. Gideon was threshing grain in a wine press and mulling over the misfortunes of Israel when the Lord called him to be their savior. It may be through a colleague or a friend that most people first hear the Gospel in a personal way. Frequently, it is at work that these conversations take place.

Workplace evangelism is a unique opportunity to go to people where they are and befriend them for Jesus’ sake. It is a low-key ministry like that of Andrew. After he encountered Jesus, “the first thing he did was to find his brother Simon…and he brought him to Jesus” (John 1).

How do I Get Started?

1. Realize that your job is a gift from God (James 1:17)
2. Put a smile on your face when you go to work. When co-workers ask you why you’re so happy, tell them about the joy you have in Jesus.
3. Do you work with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men (Col. 3:23)
4. Speak respectfully to those in authority, even when you disagree with them
5. Arrive on time. Don’t take longer breaks/lunch periods than allowed.
6. If you lose your temper or are a poor witness admit your mistake and ask forgiveness from those involved. Nothing turns off non-believers faster than Christians who don’t walk what they talk!
7. Get to know co-workers on more than a professional level if possible. Know people’s names and use them
8. Have genuine care and concern for your co-workers and don’t just see them as another prospect to share the Gospel with (like an Amway salesman who sees everyone as a potential “sale”!)
9. Ask follow-up questions to show that you care (i.e. feeling better, vacation, children, etc.) Use religious holidays to ask others what their plans are. Tell them how you will honor Jesus.
10. Make yourself available to those with problems. Ask if you can pray with them, and do it right then if possible. Most people are glad to have someone pray with them and/or for them. When someone opens up enough to let you pray with them, they probably would let you share the good new of Jesus with them.

Things to Avoid:

1. Don’t participate in office gossip
2. Don’t compromise your values to earn a bonus or get a promotion
3. Don’t steal supplies or time from the company
4. Don’t handle personal business on company time, even witnessing!
5. Don’t put yourself in a compromising position with the opposite sex to avoid the appearance of impropriety.

Christianity and professionalism go hand-in-hand. Give God and your employer your very best on the job.

In Matthew 28, Jesus said to “go into all the world and make disciples”. As you are going (working), share the Good News. Remember that your employer pays you to do your job, so do it. But, at the same time, God is calling you to share His Son.

Daily Prayer Challenge:  Pray every morning before you go to work that God would open a door of opportunity for you to share the Gospel with a co-worker or someone else that you encounter during the course of your workday. He will do it because “It is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

Philemon 6 – “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.”

Next week, Lesson 5: Time to Practice