Jesus' Stories Offer a Powerful, Personal Way to Share the Gospel 

Laurence Singlehurst dropped out of school in the early 1970s, and while travelling the world, was confronted with the love of Christ through members of the Jesus People Movement. He believes that sharing the stories of Jesus is one of the most powerful ways to invite people into the Christian faith.

This article appears in Sharing Jesus, a resource to take the fear out of evangelism and help Christians put their faith into words. Find out more and purchase here.

When I landed in Australia as a young hippie in the 1970s, I pretty much had one goal in mind: to have a good time.

The mantra of the hippie movement was, “If it feels good, do it.” And, like many other young hippies, I had little interest in Christianity. As far as I was concerned, it was a distant world away from the free-spirited life I was trying to live.

Yet, something unexpected happened. In the late '60s and '70s, there were a significant number of people who came to faith as a result of what was called the Jesus People Movement. I know this because I was one such young person. I had no particular Christian background up until that time, but what interested me was the life of Jesus.

It wasn’t a high-level theological concept that grabbed me - it was the life of Jesus himself; His stories, His actions, and His words. These were stories that felt real, human, and deeply transformative.

Fast forward to today, and the question remains: How can we effectively share the message of Jesus with others, especially in a world that’s sceptical of religion? The answer might be simpler - and more powerful - than we think: share the stories of Jesus.

In our efforts to share our faith, we sometimes forget that Jesus Himself is the message. In fact, the story of Jesus may be the best-kept secret of the Christian faith. So, why not share these stories directly? They provide a natural, authentic way to introduce others to Jesus without getting bogged down in religious jargon or complicated doctrine.

Why Sharing Jesus’ Stories Works

• Authentic and Personal: When we share the stories of Jesus, we’re not just conveying information - we’re sharing something that has personally impacted us. Whether it’s the way Jesus reached out to the marginalised or the radical love He showed to those who were cast aside, these stories resonate on a deeply emotional level.
• Free from Religious Jargon: Many people are turned off by religious terms that can sound foreign or outdated. “Sin,” “salvation,” “atonement” - all these words can feel distant or irrelevant to someone who isn’t familiar with the Christian faith. But when you share a story from Jesus’ life, you bypass all the complicated religious language. Whether you’re telling the story of Zacchaeus climbing a tree to see Jesus or the moment when Jesus forgave a woman caught in adultery, you’re speaking in a way that’s accessible and relatable.
• The Focus is on Jesus: Ultimately, the heart of the Christian faith is Jesus. As Christians, we are inviting people to follow Jesus, but if they don’t know who He is or what He did, it’s hard for them to respond to that invitation. The stories of Jesus provide an introduction to His character, His mission, and His radical love. In sharing them, we can invite others to encounter a person - a real, living figure who is still changing lives today.

If you're wondering where to begin, here’s a simple exercise: Think of three stories from the Gospels that have had a profound impact on you. These could be moments from Jesus’ life or teachings - whether it's His encounter with the woman at the well, the healing of the blind man, or the Sermon on the Mount. Choose stories that have spoken to you personally and that you can share with authenticity.

Once you have your stories, keep them in your mind and be ready to share them when the opportunity arises. You might be surprised at how open people are to hearing about Jesus when you approach it this way - without pressure, without heavy theology, just the raw power of His life and words. Here are a few stories to consider:

• Zacchaeus up a Tree – The story of a tax collector seeking to see Jesus, only to have Jesus stop and call him down, demonstrating that Jesus sees and loves the outcasts.
• The Woman at the Well – A story of a woman who meets Jesus in her brokenness and is transformed by His grace.
• The Woman Caught in Adultery – When Jesus defends a woman condemned by the law, showing compassion and forgiveness instead of judgment.
• The Sermon on the Mount – A revolutionary message of love, humility, and mercy that still speaks to the heart of what it means to live in God’s kingdom.

In a world where people value authenticity, the stories of Jesus provide a relatable way to share the Christian message. They bring us back to the heart of the gospel: Jesus, His life, His words, and the way He changed the world. When we tell those stories, we invite others to meet the same Jesus who transformed our lives.

Laurence Singlehurst is currently the Director of Cell UK, which involves him in working with numerous churches. He is the author of Sowing Reaping Keeping, Loving the Lost, and Beyond the Clouds.

Edited by: Bethan Walker