It's OK to talk about Jesus

The Jacksonville Super Bowl is providing Southern Baptists with a unique opportunity to talk about Jesus. That may sound strange to some people, but trust me, what’s taking place that first week of February is going to be evangelistically spectacular. And it’s not too late for you to take part in the excitement. Whether you’re in Jacksonville, Jennings or Jensen Beach, try one of these techniques and see how many times you can present the Gospel the 10 days before the big game. Just remember, “It’s OK to share”.

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Volunteer for one of your local Super Bowl events. Volunteers tend to talk to one another and usually this question comes up: “How did you become a volunteer?” Answer “Our church got a group together.” And folks, if you can’t get to Jesus from there then you’re going to the wrong church.

Host a Super Bowl Watch Party. Have hundreds in your fellowship hall or just a handful at home. Set up more food than should be allowed by law and decorate to overwhelm the senses. Put the game on the big screen and let the fun begin! Place football related witnessing tracts around the buffet table and see who picks them up. Take time prior to the game or during commercial breaks to share a testimony or distribute material for guests to read when their team is trailing. Invite your friends from work or school. Even if they can’t come, it opens a door for you to share your faith.

Take to the streets. There are materials available that are great for mass distribution wherever people are gathered or just passing through. Downtown Jacksonville will be closing off the streets and have over a quarter of a million people taking part in the various events along the riverside Thursday-Saturday night. Already over 100,000 pieces of witnessing materials have been ordered specifically for open-air distribution, for that weekend. Quality materials help insure that the tracts get read and not end up as sidewalk fodder. What is your town doing? Check your local chamber of commerce Web site for events near you.

Eavesdrop evangelism. When in a group of people, whether it’s mass transit, carpool or just hanging out at the mall, chat with one of your Christian buddies about the big game and just bait people in to listen. When you know that they’re hooked, look at them and say, “And what do you think about all this?” Once you have them conversationally involved, drift the subject toward what your church is doing during the Super Bowl. Invite them to come and have fun with you. If nothing else, reach into your purse, billfold or backpack and give them that witness tract that you’ve been carrying for such an occasion.

Daily we are surrounded with opportunities to share the Gospel. However, Super Bowl week provides a surge of excitement that normally isn’t there. Do not shy away from the thrill, but instead, tandem off of it and use it to share the greatest gift that there is to offer. Remember, God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love and a sound mind. When evangelism is done appropriately and with a right motive, it is amazing to see the results. So, no matter where you are and what you are doing that first week of February, just remember, “It’s OK to share”

Evangelist Tim B. Knopps is founder of the Timothy Institute of Evangelism located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Using a variety of evangelism techniques, the Timothy Institute has assisted in sharing the Gospel to over 5 million people.