During much of my formative years in the church everyone had some sort of plan for evangelism. There were a bevy of little booklets, each with a four or five point explanation of the Gospel so that Christian people could 'share their faith' with their neighbors. Personal evangelism of this sort was the craze. Being the Church means doing evangelism.
Well, yes but ...
Well, yes but ...
To be sure, there is to be evangelism. But what do the Scriptures have to say about how the Church is to do this? I have read through the letters of Peter, Paul and the others more than a few times. And I have found all sorts of topics covered. But I have never read anything in those letters about Christians 'sharing their faith' in the way that I had been told. When you think through those letters it becomes clear that the way that Christian folk were to be doing evangelism was by how they lived together. The classic expression of this comes from Peter.
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. … But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to give an answer to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.
Peter just assumes that as we, the church, live together in things like 'unity of mind', 'brotherly love' and honoring Christ as holy, unbelievers will see us. They will, then, come with their questions about how we are able to live like we do. And that's when we need to be ready to give them some answers. How we live together matters. That's the kind of evangelism that the letters insist on.