Bringing the Gospel Home: Witnessing to Family Members, Close Friends, and Others Who Know You Well

by Randy Newman

Jesus is off limits for a lot of families and friends--or at least that's how it appears sometimes. Why does sharing the good news with a stranger often feel less frightening than telling those you love most?

For the vast majority of Christians, evangelism does not come naturally. We find ourselves sounding like someone we're not or beating ourselves up for not being bold enough, smart enough, or quick enough.

Randy Newman understands the complexity and consequences of this all-important task. As a messianic Jew who has led several family members to Christ, he gives insights from the Scriptures, stories of others who have learned some lessons along the way, and specific steps you can take to make progress in engaging with others.

Bringing the Gospel Home will help any Christian seeking to guide loved ones into the family of God.

Genres: Evangelism, Christian, Faith, Theology, Nonfiction, Christian Non Fiction, Family

224 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2011

About the author

From Randy's website: "I want to pursue the integral (whole, unified, tied-together) nature of things. I see connections between ideas, common ground between people, and overlap where others see conflict. I see God’s fingerprints in all areas of life, not just the so-called religious ones.

I’ve had the privilege of serving in ministry on college campuses, at the Pentagon, in churches, and in various academic settings. My writing has opened doors to teach the Bible and to train people in communicating their faith in dialogical and respectful ways.

Some major influences in my life have been (in no particular order) C. S. Lewis, Francis Schaeffer, D. A. Carson, Tim Keller, Ralph Winter, George Elden Ladd, Dallas Willard, John Stott, George Marsden, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Victor Hugo, Antonin Dvorak, Abraham Joshua Heshel, Claude Monet, and the Marx Brothers. My highest priorities are loving God, advancing His kingdom, and loving my family.

You could say that some other big deals in my life are theology, Judaism, academia, literature, music, beauty, and laughter."

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. Please see the other author here: Randy Newman

Reviews

[Nicole Mccoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful and unique resource for sharing the gospel with relatives without glossing over the fact that family relationships are commonly wrought with disfunction and pain. Biblically grounded and practical.

[Jeff Hoots · Rating 3 out of 5]

While useful, certainly not the authoritative guide to evangelism. Some nuggets of ideas and mindset.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! The chapters are Famjly, Grace, Truth, Love, Humility, Time, and Eternity. The author’s engaging style and anecdotes made this a very enjoyable and thought-provoking read for me. The author keeps the focus on Jesus and salvation - very refreshing in this age of feelings and experience based Christian writing. I especially like how the author provided further reading, footnotes, and references. I will be sharing this and re-reading.

[Lincoln]

Excellent: readable and practical

This is a very good book on how to share good news in a winsome and loving way. With many relatable stories from real life, Randy Newman provides much needed encouragement for sharing the Gospel with those who are close to us. This book is a valuable tool in loving others better.
One man observed that he had friends who were Christians and believed that there was a heaven to be pursued and a hell to be avoided at all costs. He was surprised that even with such high stakes, they never talked to him about the afterlife. His conclusion was they either did no believe what they claimed to or they did not care about him. I think that in reality, these two possibilities overlook the hesitancy caused by the complexities and fears that occur in our relationships which can leave is tongue-tied. It is to these barriers to evangelism that this book speaks to so effectively. I finished the book feeling both encouraged and equipped.

[George · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book from a different time. Randy Newman does have some good thoughts in here, and his action steps at the end of every chapter were helpful. Some of his pastoral commentary concerning personal things he has dealt with were helpful. Unfortunately, the tone comes out of the old-school finger-wagging no fun allowed evangelicalism which is very dated today.

It’s a shame because there are few books focused on topics like this which are more sorely needed in the secular west today. So perhaps one could build off of Newman’s ideas here and make them more well-rounded for the modern age.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not sure why it took me so long to read this book I’ve owned it for four years. The book is an excellent starting point for evangelizing family members, The anecdotes are sometimes gripping and sad and other times amusing and inspiring, the book is very practical with the second half offering next steps exercises concluding each chapter. A very good book, I’d recommend to anyone who doesn’t know how to evangelize family members or you’re looking for a fresh perspective on the subject.

[Rachel Grepke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Witnessing to our families is definitely one of the harder and more interesting aspects of our evangelism. This book aims to guide you in conversing with your relatives, different approaches and how to handle certain aspects. While I felt a little bored in parts, there is some great information in this book. I would say this book is most helpful to a believer who is just beginning to want to witness or to encourage them to speak up to their families. A good resource.

[Ella Derick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously I think this may be the best book I’ve ever read. Not only is it emotional, it’s very practical and I wouldn’t expect any less from Randy Newman. Hope that guy is enjoying his boundless spiritual rewards for the good he did here and in his writings. Rest in peace to a king seriously — I’ve never seen someone write about reaching out to family and yet here Randy is. Would recommend to any believer reaching out to anyone, but especially family.

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the writing is excellent and well laid out and the stories are interesting, I found many of the views to be too restrictive and “fundamental” which removed all hope I’d be able to use any of the tips and ideas.

[Parker Bentley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contains tips and strategies for Christians in their evangelistic efforts with family or close friends. I was encouraged by the stories shared throughout the book, and found much of the wisdom provided to be helpful and applicable.

[Mary Mead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Great stories, encouraging, honest and challenging. I highly recommend this book to anyone with unsaved family members (isn’t that most of us!)

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical book with many helpful questions and conversation starters and transitions to help share the Gospel with family members.

[lijerome · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filled with familial stories

A good reminder that familial evangelism is a global struggle. Helpful for those who do not know where to start in their outreach for their loved ones

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very matter of fact, well written, the author used excellent examples to illustrate his points.

[Jake Rillie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this, read it a long time ago and still think of it

[Porter Sprigg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such an encouragement. It exhorts us to embrace the good news in our own lives and to share it with others. Redemption is real and we must not give up on that truth when witnessing to our loved ones.

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christians know that it is our job to share Jesus with others. I think we also grasp that sharing the gospel with those who are closest to us can actually be hardest. Whether it is because they know us best, can hurt us easiest, or simply because we care for them most deeply, witnessing to relatives and close friends is hard work.
We should be grateful to God for Randy Newman’s work on the difficult task of evangelism in the family. In Bringing the Gospel Home, Newman offers sweet and simple advice for us to follow as we try to share with our households, regardless of how healthy or broken they have been.
I was particularly fond of the commonsense things that Newman shares with us in his book. For example, I was sweetly challenged to remember that everyone with whom we share the gospel is not miserable, acknowledging a God-shaped hole in their hearts. Some people feel quite happy with their lives and content with their circumstances. Newman suggests that we help those people see that God’s common grace is what allows our happiness by writing, “What a contrast to many of our efforts to first convince people how miserable they are. Paul made sure to point to how happy they were” (56). Newman goes on to say, “Why not start with joy-based apologetics instead? Why not talk to people about the good things in life that we enjoy so much—food, friends, beauty, etc., and try to see if we can point them to the Giver of such good gifts” (57).
In his book, Newman is wise to challenge us to be more systematic in our approach to sharing with relatives. He would argue that we do not need to attempt to turn every conversation into a complete gospel conversation including invitation. Instead, we need to love our families, start with them where they are, and communicate truth to them based on where they are beginning. Newman writes about Paul’s pattern of sharing, “He begins with a basic primer on theology, moves on to offer insight about human nature, and then talks about Jesus. We would do well to emulate his sequence and flow of thought” (81).
Newman’s work, while sweet, is also challenging. He does not compromise the gospel or ignore the importance of repentance. The author is willing to call sin what it is, and would not ask us to avoid such topics with our loved ones. However, Newman also understands that we must be wise about where, when, and how we call out others’ failings. Perhaps the Thanksgiving dinner-table conversation is not the best setting for a religious debate with an atheistic uncle.
While Newman’s work does not cover every base, it is an easy read, full of encouraging true stories, which challenges me to share my faith with greater wisdom and clarity. I would recommend it to others who want to receive the same encouraging challenge.

[Emmanuel Boston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bringing the Gospel Home is a very helpful book for any and every Christian. Newman graciously weaves together theology, reflection, and real-life stories to help Christians at any stage in life to present the gospel with love, truth, humility, patience, and everything else that should accompany it. Newman is encouraging, not guilt-tripping; but if what you want is a list of sure-proof steps to convert your family members or friends, do not look here. However, what you receive from this book will be far more helpful than any six-step plan with a word-by-word prayer written at the end. Randy Newman will warm your spirit without giving false hope that everyone will ultimately say "Yes" to Christ. This book will help equip you to share the gospel, but only the power of the Holy Spirit will ultimately regenerate anyone and deliver them into the kingdom of life.

Some of the chief gleanings I got from this book are...

Love & Forgiveness
Time & Patience
Trust & Liberation

I recommend this book to anyone and everyone who claims Christ as Lord--even if you are not at this moment in a position when you think you need to read this book, you eventually will be.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to reach out to a segment of people that is often the most difficult, our families. Newman does a great jog of balancing grace and truth in his approach. It was great to see someone tackle this topic, especially someone who has actually witnessed to many of his own family members with success.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read with a lot of reminders of the power of grace. The short true stories of family and friends in a variety of peoples lives coming to faith make it useful. Newman even goes a step further and gives suggestions for those uncomfortable address certain issues.

[Alexandria Petelski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing. This really changed my perspective on evangelizing to the population at large, not just to family members who are unsaved. I would recommend it to even those who live in solid Christian families. It's a great reminder of what sharing your faith and sharing the Gospel is and what it is not.

[Josue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witnessing to family and close friends is definitely a challenge! How do you witness to a stubborn and/or abusive relative who refuses to talk about religion? How do you witness to your “prodigal” child? Randy Newman does a great job answering questions like these and more!

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very readable and relatively short book that I recommend everyone should read if you have loved ones who don't know Christ. It offers a lot of practical steps, humorous examples of what NOT to do when sharing the gospel and a lot of encouragement in stepping up your game in evangelism.

[Laura Luann · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this books! More than specific practical how-to was the encouragement--not to give up praying, not to give up verbally sharing the Gospel, not to doubt God's sovereignty and perfect timing.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really anything new for me, but encouraging and thought-provoking. On the topic of evangelism I often find testimonies to be the most helpful encouragement, and this book has a lot of them.

[Massanutten Regional Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kristen, Main patron, July 2015, 4 stars:

Excellent perspective on sharing Jesus with family, including the struggles and the joys. Highly recommended.