Remember that the reason for sharing your faith is to benefit other people. Make it easy for people to understand what you are sharing with them by always starting from the beginning. Give people road maps and sign posts, guide them so they can follow along just like Paul did when he carried the message of the gospel to various towns.

When you speak about your faith to others it can get sticky and awkward. In a sense you’re telling someone that in some way their beliefs are incorrect…and let’s face it, nobody wants to be wrong. People who are listening to your words may have a different idea than you do about who God is, who Jesus is, what’s in the Bible, or they may not know what you’re talking about in the first place. Nobody wants to get wrapped up in something they don’t fully understand. Explain yourself. Make it clear and easy to follow. Keep in mind the story you’re sharing isn’t yours. It’s God’s story of truth, God’s story of salvation.
In Acts 17, Paul was sharing a foreign belief system. In some places his message was well received and in others it wasn’t. In Acts 17:18 the Bible tells how people listening thought he was babbling. They didn’t understand this concept of Christ and the gospel. As Paul put these ideas together, he laid out a road map that people could follow. He was trying to persuade this group of philosophers so he explained terms, laid out his ideas clearly. He gave them a “map” so they could follow along, learn, and be excited about the journey rather than being dragged through it.

In order for others to understand and benefit from your story of faith, you must always start from the beginning.