How to Talk about Jesus without Looking like an Idiot: A Panic-Free Guide to Having Natural Conversations about Your Faith

by Andy Bannister

Publisher:

IVP

, 2023

Why is it so difficult to talk to our closest friends about what's most important to us? Our true identity? Our hopes and dreams? Our true purpose and faith?

Andy Bannister struggled with that question himself. As a twentysomething, he operated as an Undercover Christian at his job. He knew it didn't make sense, and he spent the following decades helping countless people find easy, natural ways to discuss the fundamental questions of life with the ones they love. How to Talk about Jesus without Looking like an Idiot explores:

- why you don't need to be afraid or uncomfortable,
- the four questions that help people open up,
- the five steps to respond to tough questions,
- and how to effortlessly bring faith into a conversation.

It doesn't need to be awkward. Let Andy help you find easy ways to talk about the true meaning of life with your friends and family.

Contents

Foreword
1. Undercover Christian
2. The Sum of All Fears
3. The First Steps to Fear-Less Evangelism
4. Evangelism in Everyday Places
5. The Power of a Good Question
6. Learning Questions from the Master
7. A Toolbox for Evangelism
8. The What Question
9. The Why Question
10. The Wondering Question
11. The Whether Question
12. Five Simples Steps for Answering Tough Questions
13. Bringing It Back to Jesus
14. How Not to Be a Crunchy Christian
15. Foolish Evangelism
Acknowledgements
Appendix 1: A Handy Cut-and-Keep Guide
Appendix 2: Books and Resources to Help You Continue the Journey

Praise for How to Talk about Jesus without Looking like an Idiot

"With his unique blend of humour, wit, and incisive analysis, Andy helps us navigate the opportunities and pitfalls of sharing faith today. This accessible book is a must-read for all Christians who want to talk about Jesus with greater confidence and winsomeness."

"We all want to live in such a way as believers that our words and our lives match so that our walk is the same as our talk. But the subject where we see the greatest gap between what Christians say is vital and how their lives reflect that is evangelism. That's why Andy Bannister's book is so refreshing. His humor is infectious, but don't let it fool you. There is a wealth of wisdom and insight in these pages, with some of the most honest, practical, and helpful tools I've seen in a book on evangelism. Read it and laugh at Andy's wit, then put his teaching into practice. The Good News in Jesus is too good not to tell, and Andy will help you."

Ed Stetzer, PhD, Wheaton College

"Having worked with Andy Bannister on various evangelistic events for years, I can confidently say that he knows how to talk about Jesus without looking like an idiot. In this book, he teaches the rest of us how to do the same. Besides being highly entertaining, this book is an accessible treasure trove of real-world insight and practical tips. If you love Jesus and want to share that love naturally and effectively with others, this is a must-read and reread!"

"There is an idiom we use in the UK, "to throw the kitchen sink" at something. It means to try everything; exhaust all energy and resources in order to achieve something or to solve a problem. . . . Andy "throws the kitchen sink" into evangelism and apologetics. . . . Once again Andy is giving his very best to what matters most to him, helping people like you and me introduce others to Jesus. I honestly can't recommend this book highly enough. . . . There are over three hundred books on evangelism and apologetics around my study, and as a resource to the church, I'd confidently put this in the top five. From new Christians to seasoned pilgrims, this is a wonderfully emotive and empowering read."

"Not for the first time, Andy Bannister has written a book which is as witty as it is accessible. His modest tone and laconic style undergird a razor-sharp mind and robust intellect. It's always a pleasure to read his work and to feel excited about where this book may end up."

"Andy has produced an accessible, insightful, and culturally savvy text on sharing the gospel in our increasingly hostile, post-Christian setting. But it’s not just how he, with all his years of experience, can do that - but how we can too. Andy demonstrates a love for the lost and a love for the people of God as they navigate these tough times in which gospel fruit seems less likely and the chance of being viewed as a bigot or weirdo more likely. Most of all, he shows a love for Jesus that drives the desire to evangelise in the first place. This book takes modern objections to the gospel seriously yet demonstrates how, through clear strategies, biblical instruction, and helpful examples, these objections can be met. Written in plainspeak, it offers compelling reasons as to why, when done thoughtfully, the good news "hits different" in a culture which thinks it knows why it has left Christianity behind yet can't come up with a satisfying alternative."

"With humor, wit, and an unsinkable sense of spiritual buoyancy, Andy Bannister unpacks practical ways to share your faith with the people around you, and he peppers these pages with real-life stories that bring his principles to life. This book will help launch you on the unparalleled adventure of influencing others for Christ."

"In my experience, telling other people about Jesus is one of the greatest causes of anxiety for the average Christian. But fear not, help is at hand. Delivered with Andy's inimitable sense of humour, this book is a brilliant guide to sharing your faith naturally and confidently. It won't magically turn you into a super evangelist (as Andy explains, they don't really exist in real life), but it will help you to face your fears, start conversations, and simply talk to people about Jesus . . . without looking like an idiot."

"Is it fitting for evangelism to be, dare we say, enjoyable? In my experience, Christians can unintentionally take the delight out of evangelism by the way we approach it. Enter Andy Bannister, whose jovial jesting and humorous life stories, combined with a depth of knowledge and experience, demonstrate a true compassion for, and enjoyment of, his fellow humans. His book is overflowing with evangelistic expertise alongside well-crafted suggestions that are simple to implement and easy to remember, encouraging and empowering you to naturally share your life and faith with others."

Product Details

• Title: How to Talk about Jesus without Looking like an Idiot: A Panic-Free Guide to Having Natural Conversations about Your Faith
• Author: Andy Bannister
• Publisher: IVP
• Print Publication Date: 2023
• Logos Release Date: 2023
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBNs: 9781789744880, 9781789744873, 1789744873, 1789744881
• Resource ID: LLS:9781789744880
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2023-07-20T08:40:58Z