When you become part of God’s family, one of the first things you begin to do is look around at those you love— family members, close friends, and co-workers.  You look at them differently now, and the question that comes to your mind is:  “Will they be in heaven with me?”  Because you now belong to Jesus Christ, your focus shifts to eternity and those who will be with you in heaven.  Yet those we want in heaven with us are sometimes the hardest ones to talk to about Christ.  Oh, we could talk to a stranger about God’s wonderful plan for our salvation, but when it comes to talking to those dearest to us, we often clam up and don’t have the words.  Well, there are seven steps that we can take if we want to effectively talk to those closest to us about Christ.
    Step One:  TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF   
    Sometimes in our deep desire to see our loved ones come to Christ, we become either pushy or paralyzed.  When we become pushy, we turn them off, doing more harm than good.  When we become paralyzed, we run the risk that they will die without God. However, when we pray the prayer that Paul prayed in Ephesians 6:19 “Whenever I open my mouth, words may be given to me,” we can depend on God to answer that prayer.  We put the pressure of winning them to Christ right where it belongs, not on me, but in the hands of God.  Oh, yes, we have a responsibility to share Jesus with those we are close to, but we can now do it with opportunities, words, and urgings that all come from God Himself.
    Step Two:  PRAY THE “OPEN” PRAYER    
    In Colossians 4:3-4, Paul also taught us to pray for those opportunities to share Christ:  “Pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ…pray that I may proclaim it clearly as I should.”  So, with your loved one’s name on your lips, ask God to provide a natural, unforced occasion for you to talk about Jesus.  “Open her/his heart”   and then believe that the God who created all things will soften and prepare the heart of the one you love.  Then pray, “Open my mouth” to talk about Jesus in a way that is appropriate and natural to the situation that God has provided.
    Step Three:   LOOK FOR COMMON GROUND
    There wasn’t much that Jesus had in common with the promiscuous Samaritan woman that He met as He stopped to get a drink of water.  However, being the Master that He was, He used their common desire for water as the starting point for a conversation which would change her forever.  When you want to share Christ, look for a starting point such as overcoming stress, discovering what it takes to be a good parent, or the value of their spiritual searching.  Use that starting point to first build a relationship before you offer them living water!
    Step Four:  PUT YOURSELF IN THEIR SHOES  
    In seeking to win those we love to Christ, it helps to try to see and feel what they observe as they look at and take note of our faith.  By praying for sensitivity to their perceptions, we can effectively avoid the pitfalls of their pride, their misconceptions, and their insecurities.  We can put our faith into words that will be meaningful to them.
    Step Five:    ALWAYS, ALWAYS…GENTLENESS AND RESPECT
    A verse that we often use when challenging ourselves to witness for Christ is found in 1 Peter 3:15.  Although the first part of the verse is most often quoted, the second part of the verse may be the most important.  “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.”  Did you get the last part?  Gentleness and respect.  Arguing won’t win them.  Attacking their lifestyle won’t win them.  Only when we gently and respectfully explain the difference that Jesus makes will they be open to listening.  Don’t “preach.”  That’s talking about them, the unbeliever.  Instead, share about me, my sin, and my broken relationship with God.  Personalize the conversation by talking about my need for a Savior.  If you approach them this way, you are likely to find an open heart.
    Step Six:  SHOW THEM THE DIFFERENCE JESUS MAKES
    Take an honest look at your own life, and ask this question:  What change in me would my lost loved one be sure to notice and emulate?  What are the specific differences that knowing Jesus has made in my life?  Are you a better mother, father, sibling, employee, employer?  When you can show them that life will be better with God, you are speaking their language!
    Step Seven:  KEEP THE FOCUS ON JESUS
    When we are trying to witness to our loved ones, it is so easy to get drawn into the trap of discussing religion or beliefs or lifestyles.  Determine not to fall into that pit.  Jesus’ invitation is about one thing:  “Follow Me”—not follow His followers, follow His leaders, or not even follow His teachings.  It’s all about following Jesus!  Keep bringing the conversation back to Jesus, what He is like, what he offers, and most of all, what He did for us by dying on the cross to take the punishment that we deserved.  Always talk about the relationship.  Jesus is all about a Person, not a religion, rituals, or rules.
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    When we have sown the seed, we have fulfilled our responsibility.  We have been a faithful servant.  We can rest assured that God will grow it.  Continue to talk to God about your loved one,  even more than you talk to them about God!  Give the one you love enough space to choose Jesus without feeling that they are doing something for you.    By God’s grace, one day you will experience the joy of answered prayer—the beautiful harvest of the one you love coming to Jesus Christ!