ep60 - How to Talk About Jesus Without Looking Like an Idiot with Andy Bannister

In this episode of the Christian Book Blurb podcast, host Matt McCleary interviews author Andy Bannister about his book 'How to Talk About Jesus Without Looking Like an Idiot.' They discuss the fear and panic that often accompanies conversations about faith, the importance of asking questions, and the role of the Holy Spirit in evangelism. Bannister also shares his favourite question to ask when engaging in conversations about spirituality. We finish with a discussion about Andy's love of playing board games and climbing mountains. Listen now.

Links

This episode was kindly sponsored by St Andrews Literature Festival

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Takeaways

• Many Christians feel fear and panic when it comes to talking about Jesus with others, but it's important to remember that the Holy Spirit is responsible for the outcome of our conversations.
• Asking questions is a powerful tool in evangelism, as it creates conversation, shows genuine interest in the other person, and allows the Holy Spirit to work.
• Success in evangelism should not be measured by immediate conversions, but by the progress made in moving someone closer to Jesus.
• It's important to actually talk about Jesus rather than relying solely on living a good life, as talking about Jesus directs attention to Him and not ourselves.
• In addition to questions, other tools for evangelism include listening, hospitality, service, and using personal hobbies and interests to build relationships.
• Each person has their own unique evangelistic style, and it's important to discover and embrace that style rather than trying to be like someone else.
• The Holy Spirit is reminding Bannister to focus on writing and mentoring, as well as prioritizing family over ministry.
• Bannister has a new book called 'Have You Ever Wondered?' and is working on a project combining apologetics and playing cards.
• Listeners can find Bannister's books and more information about him and Solas on his website and social media platforms.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor
03:16 Overcoming Fear and Panic in Evangelism
06:00 Overcoming Fear and Panic in Evangelism
09:19 Measuring Success in Evangelism
13:10 The Importance of Talking About Jesus
22:43 Discovering Your Evangelistic Style
29:24 The Holy Spirit's Reminders
31:46 Upcoming Projects and Books
35:01 Conclusion