BLESS: A Simple Framework for Sharing Your Faith

Written by Ben Uthe

Most Christians know the command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” We read it, nod

in agreement, and yet quietly wonder—what does that look like in real life? How do we

actually live this out in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and everyday routines in 2025?

The Bible tells us that God’s people are meant to be a blessing to the nations (Genesis

12), and Jesus himself modeled a life that drew people into the kingdom. But when it

comes to evangelism—verbally sharing the good news of Christ and inviting people to

respond—many of us freeze. We feel unqualified, intimidated, or simply unsure of

where to begin.

That’s why our church is taking a fresh look this fall at a simple, relational tool called

BLESS. It’s not a formula or a sales pitch, but a framework that makes sharing your faith

less overwhelming and more natural.

BLESS is an acronym:

• Begin with prayer

• Listen

• Eat together

• Serve

• Story

Each step moves us closer toward building genuine relationships where the gospel can

be shared authentically. Let’s walk through them.

Begin with Prayer

Evangelism doesn’t start with clever words—it starts on our knees. Too often, we think

about what we should say or how someone will respond to us. But the heart of evangelism is asking: what will they do with God? Prayer shifts our focus away from ourselves and back onto him, the only one who can open blind eyes and soften hard hearts.

If we truly believe people are lost apart from Christ (Ephesians 2:1–5), then our first step is simple but profound: consistently pray for specific people by name. Before strategy or conversation, invite God to do what only he can do—bring the dead to life.

Listen

Many people expect evangelism to feel like a lecture. But Jesus and Paul both showed us a different way. In Acts 17, Paul listened and engaged the Athenians where they were, even quoting their poets. In the gospels, Jesus constantly asked questions and gave people space to speak.

When we truly listen, people feel valued rather than targeted. Instead of rushing to deliver a “pitch,” we show that we care about their stories, struggles, and perspectives. Listening lays the foundation of trust.

Eat Together

Jesus was accused of being “a friend of sinners” because he shared meals with tax collectors and outcasts. Eating together is about more than food—it’s about intentional presence.

This might look like inviting a neighbor over for dinner, grabbing coffee with a coworker, or watching a game with a friend. It’s a step beyond casual chit-chat and toward genuine friendship. When we share life at the table, walls come down, and conversations naturally go deeper.

Serve

Serving meets people in their practical needs, big or small. Maybe it’s babysitting for an exhausted parent, helping a neighbor with yard work, or simply showing up during a difficult season.

Jesus modeled this consistently—he healed the sick, cast out demons, and fed the hungry. He didn’t dismiss people’s physical needs as unimportant. Instead, he demonstrated compassion and then invited them into the greater reality of God’s kingdom. Serving in small, consistent ways shows that our faith is real.

Story

Finally, we come to story—the part of evangelism most people think of first. This can be your personal testimony (before Christ, encountering Christ, after Christ) or simply a clear explanation of the gospel.

The goal isn’t just sharing information, but extending an invitation. As campus minister Steve Shadrach puts it, many people aren’t Christians simply because no one has ever asked them the “golden question”: “Do you want to follow Jesus?”

We don’t pressure or manipulate, but we do invite. The gospel is good news—life-changing news—and it demands a response.

Why Bother?

Let’s be honest: evangelism can feel uncomfortable. But the mission is worth it. Seeing someone come to know Christ is worth every awkward moment, every risk of rejection, and every uncomfortable step of faith.

The beauty of the BLESS framework is that it lowers the barrier. Anyone can start by praying for one person, listening well, or sharing a meal. Evangelism isn’t reserved for pastors or extroverts. If Jesus saved you, he can use you to point others toward salvation.

So ask yourself: who is one person you could begin to pray for today? What would it look like to listen, eat, serve, and eventually share your story with them?

The gospel is too good to keep to ourselves. Let’s be a people who bless our neighbors and in doing so, invite them into the greatest story told.