Teach your men how to talk about Jesus without sounding like a nut. Have them try three steps.

First, develop rapport. When a Samaritan woman, a complete stranger, came to Jacob's well to draw water, Jesus talked to her about water--living water. People are trying to solve their problems, not ours. So give people what they need, but do it in the context of what they want. A man and his girlfriend moved next door to us. A month later he was despondent over his lack of work. I tried to help him get a job that he didn't get, and because I was interested, we built a friendship, and he did eventually give his life to Jesus Christ. (He also married his friend!)

To talk about Jesus without sounding like a nut, be sure to establish rapport.

Second, be relevant. In Acts, Peter boldly addressed his fellow Jews--the "religious" people--with a strong warning, a stern rebuke, and a straightforward challenge, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins" (Acts 2:38, 40).

In other words, he spoke in a language they could understand. He was relevant. On the other hand, when Paul was in Athens, where the thinkers and philosophers gathered, he took a different approach after seeing an altar with an inscription: "To an unknown god." He said, "Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you" (Acts 17:23).

To not sound like a nut you must be relevant. As someone said, theology is best done with a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other.

Third, recommend Jesus. Paul told the Corinthians, "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2). That's bold! Why would he park on that thought? Because Jesus had said, "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth [indicating the form of His death], will draw all men to myself " (John 12:32). Paul understood that if he would stick to recommending Christ, God would do the rest.

Don't argue religion, but do recommend Jesus Christ. If Jesus, once understood, doesn't draw them, nothing you add will draw them either.

For More: Go to www.pastoringmen.com and click on "66. Witnessing" to read the following free articles: (1) "How to Lead a Man to Christ," (2) "How to Lead an Executive to Christ," (3) "How to Talk about Jesus without Sounding Like a Nut," and (4) "Reach 3 Strategy: An Engaging Offer of Christ for Every Man."