What I Learned About Sharing The Gospel (While Admittedly Eavesdropping On An Airplane)
By: Kristen L. McNulty
Reprint rights available on request. Email the author at kristenmcnulty@hotmail.com.
Most of us know that as believers, followers of Christ, we are expected to take part in evangelism. Sharing the Good News about Jesus far and wide, like Jesus commanded in Matthew 28.
"Jesus came and told his disciples, 'I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.'" Matthew 28:18-20 NLT
Most of us know this is what we are called to do, but I think what most of us struggle with, what I know I struggle with, is how to do it. How do you share Jesus with your neighbor? Your friend? The stranger you just met? I don’t have all the answers, but I got an unexpected masterclass in sharing the gospel recently while travelling.
I boarded a plane, sat next to the person who was travelling with me, and prepared to zone out for the flight. But something caught my attention, a conversation coming from the row behind me. It was a conversation between a young woman and an older gentleman. What got my attention was this was a very different conversation. It was clear to me, admittedly forced to eavesdrop from my seat because privacy on an airplane isn't a thing, that the two didn’t know each other and had never met before. It was also somewhat of a weird conversation to hear on a plane. Normally people say hello to the person next to them if that, then proceed to ignore them for the flight. But not this person. She struck up a conversation and that conversation stood out to me as I was super impressed with the kindness she was showing this gentleman, listening to his story, without making any of it about her. So it shouldn’t have surprised me when by the time we reached our destination, she had shared the gospel with this man, and by proxy, everyone in the rows ahead and behind, and done so in such a subtle yet clear way that wasn’t pushy, was coated with care, and was one of the most effective witnessing opportunities I’ve ever heard. It was spirit-filled, done with grace, while at the same time not being totally in your face. I wish I knew her name and could invite her on this show to give us a lesson in evangelizing, but since I don’t, I have to settle with the lessons I learned listening to her that I wanted to share with you.
So what did the stranger teach me about sharing the gospel while I was admittedly eavesdropping on an airplane?
1. Make Yourself Available
First of all, she made herself available to opportunity. Instead of pulling out a book, watching a show on a tablet, or listening to music, she took the opportunity of sitting on an airplane for an hour and a half and allowed God to use her in that place to possibly reach the person sitting next to her. Even on an airplane, she lived out Ephesians 5:15-17 which reads:
So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. [16] Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Ephesians 5:15-17 NLT
2. Truly Listen
The second lesson I learned from her on how to effectively witness is just how well she truly listened. One of the number one complaints I hear from non-Christians about evangelizing is how alienating it can be. Many feel like Christians are like used car salesmen who are fake and couldn’t care less about the person and are only in it to make a sale aka convert the person. But not her. She talked with him about his own story, not trying to interrupt or one-up him with her own life experiences. She truly listened.
3. Be Genuine
Which ties into the next thing I learned, I truly believe it’s because of how well she listened, to both the man and the Holy Spirit, that she knew what to say and was able to be completely genuine when she did. She linked his own story and his observations about the way the world is, and gently posed questions to help him see both good and evil at work in our world, and thus, pointing to the need for a Saviour. Basically, it was custom evangelism, not a one size fit all approach. To me, she was sensitive to where he was at and as a result, was able to connect him to his need for a saviour.
4. Testify
Then after connecting the dots, she testified to God at work in her own life. She shared how she and her family get through the things of this life with God and the peace and assurance He brings.
5. End With Urgency
And then, as the flight was about to land, she ended with urgency. Reminding the man that none of us knows how long we have and that we shouldn’t wait to evaluate what happens after we die.
All the while, the man never shut down the conversation or disengaged and I believe it was because he could sense the same thing I could, and that is how absolutely genuine she was about it all. I’ve never witnessed an encounter like this one, and here two weeks later, it’s still on my mind and I pray it’s still on his mind and the minds of anyone else who was eavesdropping with me on that day.
I wanted to turn around and high five her at so many points, but restrained as I didn’t want to interject into the holy moment that was obviously happening behind me. So I just sat there and prayed. So woman from the plane if you’re hearing this, thank you. Thank you for reminding me about the urgency to evangelize and learning what genuine faith lived out looks like. I’ve learned a lot from you and owe you a debt of gratitude for helping me to rethink what evangelism looks like.
Closing with a reminder of the importance of sharing our faith from Romans 10, verses 13-15, which read:
For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved." But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!" Romans 10:13-15 NLT
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