As Christians, we are called to share the good news of salvation with the world. The Bible has many verses that encourage us to reach out to those who have not yet heard or embraced the message of Jesus Christ. These Scriptures remind us of the importance of evangelism and the power of God’s love to transform lives. Below are Bible verses to guide us in this mission.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Missionary Work
God’s Desire for All People to Be Saved
God’s heart is for everyone to come to know Him. His love and mercy extend to all people, regardless of their background or past mistakes. These verses reveal God’s desire for salvation to reach the entire world, and they challenge us to share the gospel with the lost.
1 Timothy 2:4
“He wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.”
2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”
Ezekiel 18:32
“I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live!”
John 3:16
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
Luke 19:10
“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
The Great Commission
Jesus gave His followers a clear command to go and make disciples of all nations. This commission is the foundation of Christian evangelism and is a call for every believer to share the gospel with others. These verses highlight the importance of spreading the good news to all corners of the world.
Matthew 28:19-20
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Mark 16:15
“And then he told them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.'”
Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Romans 10:14
“But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?”
2 Corinthians 5:20
“So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, ‘Come back to God!'”
The Urgency of Reaching the Lost
The Bible reminds us that time is short and the need to reach the lost is urgent. We are called to share the message of salvation without delay, knowing that tomorrow is not promised. These scriptures emphasize the importance of acting now to reach those who are far from God.
2 Corinthians 6:2
“For God says, ‘At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.’ Indeed, the ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation.”
John 9:4
“We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.”
James 4:14
“How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.”
Luke 10:2
“These were his instructions to them: ‘The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.'”
Proverbs 27:1
“Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring.”
The Power of the Holy Spirit in Evangelism
Evangelism is not something we do on our own; we rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us and give us boldness. These verses show how the Holy Spirit works in and through us as we share the gospel, giving us the words to say and touching the hearts of those who hear.
Acts 4:31
“After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.”
1 Corinthians 2:4
“And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
John 14:26
“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”
Luke 12:12
“For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”
Compassion for the Lost
Jesus demonstrated great compassion for those who were lost, and He calls us to do the same. These verses remind us to have a heart of love and concern for those who do not yet know Christ. Evangelism is driven by compassion, as we long for others to experience the grace and truth of Jesus.
Matthew 9:36
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Romans 9:2-3
“My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them.”
Luke 15:4
“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it?”
Jude 1:22-23
“And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.”
2 Timothy 2:24-25
“A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.”
The Reward for Reaching the Lost
Those who faithfully share the gospel are promised great rewards in heaven. These verses encourage us to stay motivated, knowing that God sees our efforts and will reward us for bringing others into His kingdom. The reward of seeing a soul saved is eternal and will not be forgotten by God.
Daniel 12:3
“Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.”
1 Corinthians 3:8
“The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work.”
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
“After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! Yes, you are our pride and joy.”
Proverbs 11:30
“The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends.”
Matthew 25:21
“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’”
Praying for the Lost
Prayer is a powerful tool in reaching the lost. The Bible encourages us to pray for those who have not yet accepted Christ, asking God to soften their hearts and open their eyes to the truth of the gospel. These verses remind us of the importance of interceding for others as part of our evangelistic efforts.
1 Timothy 2:1
“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.”
Romans 10:1
“Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved.”
Colossians 4:3
“Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains.”
Matthew 9:38
“So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”
2 Thessalonians 3:1
“Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you.”
Overcoming Fear in Evangelism
Fear often holds us back from sharing our faith with others. However, the Bible reassures us that God is with us, giving us the courage and strength we need to be bold witnesses for Christ. These verses remind us that we do not need to fear rejection or failure when we are empowered by God’s Spirit.
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
Joshua 1:9
“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Acts 4:29
“And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word.”
Ephesians 6:19-20
“And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.”
Isaiah 41:10
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Spreading the Word of God
What Does the Bible Say About Reaching The Lost
Reaching the lost is one of the most important jobs we have as Christians. It means sharing God’s love and hope with those who haven’t yet found Him. The Bible teaches that God loves everyone, and He wants all people to know Him. When we talk about reaching the lost, we’re talking about helping people find their way to a relationship with God.
One of the first things we need to understand is that God loves the lost deeply. Every person is valuable to Him, no matter who they are or what they’ve done. God’s love isn’t just for people who already know Him or go to church; it’s for everyone. He wants to gather all His children close and have a relationship with them. That’s why we, as Christians, should feel called to reach out to those who don’t know Him yet.
Reaching the lost is about showing love and kindness. It’s not about judging or pointing fingers. Sometimes, people think that being a Christian is about following a long list of rules, but reaching the lost is about sharing the peace and joy we have found in knowing God. When people see how God has changed our lives, they can see that same hope for themselves. We can show God’s love in many ways—by helping others, being a listening ear, or simply being a friend. The way we live and treat others can often speak louder than words.
When we reach out to others, we also need to remember to be patient. Not everyone is ready to listen right away, and that’s okay. Sometimes, just being there and showing love is enough to plant a seed in their hearts. God works in His own time, and we need to trust that He is guiding each person’s journey.
Prayer is also a big part of reaching the lost. We can pray for those who haven’t yet come to know God. Asking God to open their hearts and guide their steps is something we can do every day. Prayer connects us with God’s plan and helps us find the right words and actions when we talk to others about Him.
In the end, reaching the lost is about love, patience, and kindness. By sharing our faith and showing God’s love, we can help others discover the peace and joy that comes from knowing Him. It’s a journey, and each step we take to reach out can make a difference. God calls us to be a light in the world, guiding others to the hope and love He offers.