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Tell Someone: You Can Share the Good News
Understand, this book is not written to make you feel bad or condemn you if you have not engaged others with the gospel message. This book is written to encourage and inspire you.
Even though pastor and author Greg Laurie is a “gospel-presenting professional,” in this book he tells stories of his own failure and success. The most important things you will find here are biblical principles that you can apply yourself. Taken from the life and witness of Jesus, and tested over Greg’s forty years of ministry, in both one-on-one experiences and large-scale evangelistic arena and stadium events, these ideas are intended to mobilize every person in the church to “Tell Someone” about Jesus Christ.
Even though pastor and author Greg Laurie is a “gospel-presenting professional,” in this book he tells stories of his own failure and success. The most important things you will find here are biblical principles that you can apply yourself. Taken from the life and witness of Jesus, and tested over Greg’s forty years of ministry, in both one-on-one experiences and large-scale evangelistic arena and stadium events, these ideas are intended to mobilize every person in the church to “Tell Someone” about Jesus Christ.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2016
94 people are currently reading
272 people want to read
About the author
Greg Laurie
294 books230 followersGreg Laurie is an American author and pastor who serves as the senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, Harvest Corona in Corona, California Harvest Woodcrest in Riverside, California, Harvest at Kumulani in Kapalua, Hawaii, and Harvest Orange County in Irvine, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
March 20, 2024
Convicting, in-my-face reminder of how I am called to share the Gospel. Very helpful, easy to understand, to the point. Lord, make me more faithful in evangelism!
February 16, 2018
"God wants to use you to bring other people to Himself."
"He will not force you to share your faith, but He will prompt you. And when you take that step of faith, He will empower and use you."
"God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called."
Pretty simple, yet encouraging read. For Christians who struggle to share their faith, "Tell Someone" is a good read to encourage and equip you for this commission. This is not an apologetical book, nor one to help you answer life's questions...but it will help you see the importance of sharing the Gospel and it will help you see how simple it can be!
"He will not force you to share your faith, but He will prompt you. And when you take that step of faith, He will empower and use you."
"God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called."
Pretty simple, yet encouraging read. For Christians who struggle to share their faith, "Tell Someone" is a good read to encourage and equip you for this commission. This is not an apologetical book, nor one to help you answer life's questions...but it will help you see the importance of sharing the Gospel and it will help you see how simple it can be!
January 3, 2016
Sometimes as a Christian you need a kick in the gut to get moving with the confidence in sharing Christ. This is the book.
Sometimes you are or know a new Christian who needs a helpful guide in "how to" share the Gospel with others. You must start with the why to get to the how and this is the book to help.
I am incredibly thankful for Pastor Laurie and his encouraging and challenging words. This is such a great book to start the new year off. I highly encourage you to pick up a copy, to read with others, and to set a challenge for the new year.
Sometimes you are or know a new Christian who needs a helpful guide in "how to" share the Gospel with others. You must start with the why to get to the how and this is the book to help.
I am incredibly thankful for Pastor Laurie and his encouraging and challenging words. This is such a great book to start the new year off. I highly encourage you to pick up a copy, to read with others, and to set a challenge for the new year.
October 25, 2024
2.5 stars!
February 22, 2016
Tell Someone is a small, easy read for anyone who is interested in seeing evangelism grow in their lives. It will not take long to read through this book, but it is still packed with some great principles and illustrations to encourage the reader to be more active in sharing their faith in Jesus Christ.
I believe that this book is a great tool that should be read and applied to a Christian's life. Laurie has a way of talking with you through this book and not at you. Check out Tell Someone, and more importantly share the gospel of Jesus Christ with someone today.
I believe that this book is a great tool that should be read and applied to a Christian's life. Laurie has a way of talking with you through this book and not at you. Check out Tell Someone, and more importantly share the gospel of Jesus Christ with someone today.
March 1, 2021
Conversational and Encouraging
November 12, 2025
Audiobook. 4.5 stars. If the author, Greg Laurie, had narrated this book, I would’ve given it 5stars. (The narrator sounded robotic) Greg is one of my all time favorite speakers. I heard him at a Harvest Crusade in 2004. I love listening to him! His teaching/preaching is solid and also makes me laugh. Excellent book and convicting.
August 2, 2016
Laurie attempts to provide Biblical principles to help others share their faith from an Arminian Christian theology perspective. He tells his story of a mother who married and divorced 7 times and went through many men. As a teenager, he mockingly called Christians at school "the Jesus Freaks" but a wholesome girl caused him to check them out. Jesus said, "You are either for me or against me." He realized he might be against Jesus. He says he put his faith in Jesus. He shares stories about encounters with old friends and his weak and scared attempts to share the gospel with others.
- He declares to not share and tell others about Jesus, may be a sin of omission (not doing what you are supposed to do).
- He portrays God as a God who loves all humans and wants desperately them all to be saved, but needs humans to do the work. He says the last thing God wants is to send the people he loves to hell. God wants to use you to bring other people to himself. While there are a few verses that suggest God desires the repentance of all humans, there are many verses that suggest God is glorified in condemning and judging sinners (especially the Psalms).
- Laurie encourages Christians to share the gospel by sharing that the happiest Christians are those who share the gospel because it is more happy to give than receive. He asks, "What's your excuse?"
- Laurie does mention repentance, sin and submitting one's life as part of his gospel message. Submission is emphasized strongly as the way to salvation. He encourages proclamation, discipleship and discourages manipulation.
- Laurie seems to use "in Jesus' name" as a token ending of a prayer but never explains it really refers to two things 1) Jesus' work as mediator allows us to go to the Father and 2) Praying according to His will in the Bible.
- He mentions Chuck Swindoll (not a Calvinist), Tim Keller (a Calvinist), Chuck Smith (not a Calvinist but Calvary Chapel). Keller is the only theologian I would recommend.
- Laurie describes methods of calling people to Christ - the altar call, or closing with the sinner's prayer (asking Jesus into your heart) (Ch 10). He admits these are not found in the Bible (Ch10) and that's why I rate this book poorly. Laurie uses man-made Arminian tactics and portrays a weak feeble God and places salvation fully in the hand so of man.
Instead of a Greg Laurie or Ray Comfort (who is a little closer but not the best), I recommend readers instead follow Charles Spurgeon ( https://www.monergism.com/search?keyw... )and read W.F. Bell's critique of the modern methods of men, which do not follow the Bible: http://www.eternallifeministries.org/...
- He declares to not share and tell others about Jesus, may be a sin of omission (not doing what you are supposed to do).
- He portrays God as a God who loves all humans and wants desperately them all to be saved, but needs humans to do the work. He says the last thing God wants is to send the people he loves to hell. God wants to use you to bring other people to himself. While there are a few verses that suggest God desires the repentance of all humans, there are many verses that suggest God is glorified in condemning and judging sinners (especially the Psalms).
- Laurie encourages Christians to share the gospel by sharing that the happiest Christians are those who share the gospel because it is more happy to give than receive. He asks, "What's your excuse?"
- Laurie does mention repentance, sin and submitting one's life as part of his gospel message. Submission is emphasized strongly as the way to salvation. He encourages proclamation, discipleship and discourages manipulation.
- Laurie seems to use "in Jesus' name" as a token ending of a prayer but never explains it really refers to two things 1) Jesus' work as mediator allows us to go to the Father and 2) Praying according to His will in the Bible.
- He mentions Chuck Swindoll (not a Calvinist), Tim Keller (a Calvinist), Chuck Smith (not a Calvinist but Calvary Chapel). Keller is the only theologian I would recommend.
- Laurie describes methods of calling people to Christ - the altar call, or closing with the sinner's prayer (asking Jesus into your heart) (Ch 10). He admits these are not found in the Bible (Ch10) and that's why I rate this book poorly. Laurie uses man-made Arminian tactics and portrays a weak feeble God and places salvation fully in the hand so of man.
Instead of a Greg Laurie or Ray Comfort (who is a little closer but not the best), I recommend readers instead follow Charles Spurgeon ( https://www.monergism.com/search?keyw... )and read W.F. Bell's critique of the modern methods of men, which do not follow the Bible: http://www.eternallifeministries.org/...
December 21, 2020
Meh. It's more "ra, ra, I'm a great evangelist" and do what I do more than lifting up the greatness of God.
June 22, 2022
Book has some good stories and good encouragement but overall the theology is very weak:
1) He makes several statements, "the last thing that God wants is to send any man or woman--deeply loved by Him and made in His very image--to this place called Hell" (p.11; cf. 95). Definitely coming from an Arminian perspective that portrays God wanting desperately for sins to come to Him without any ability to affect it.
2) The overall tenor the book is very casual. Several of the paraphrased stories of the Bible came off as quite irreverent. He added conversations between Jesus and several characters in an effort to make the stories connect more with the modern day. However, though it was engaging, it does not seem to respect the actual accounts written in Scripture. Shouldn't the story in the Bible be enough?
3) The final chapter "My First 'Sermon'" recounts a story of him preaching the Gospel and being asked to baptize newly confessed believers. However, he does not acknowledge the importance of baptism into a local church but rather talks about the great opportunity it was to share the gospel and baptize newly confessed believers. Baptism is connected with the admission into the local church (Acts 2:41; Rom. 6:1-5; see also "Going Public" by Bobby Jamieson) and I thought it was quite unhelpful how he recounts this story so positively apart from the connection with the local church).
4) He talks about the importance of the local church (p. 112), but it is merely for the experience of growing in your faith. He does not mention the New Testament worldview that the life of the believer is intimately connected in the local church (notice how many references to the "church of" are in the New Testament or how many of the New Testament books address local churches rather than Christian broadly).
5) He also includes several comments about a "recommitment to Christ" (p.51, 80, 107), but it does not seem to be more than church attendance. The language tends to be Arminian and presupposes a "backsliding." However, the Bible seems to indicate that you are either walking in darkness or walking in light (1 John 1:5-10). Laurie needs to develop his understanding of conversion and what it means to live out the Christian life. Ultimately, this is connected with the previous point where this book does not include many comments or emphasis on follow-up or discipleship.
Positives:
1) Encouraging stories to share the Gospel
2) Talks about the importance of mentioning Hell (p. 95).
3) Shares the Gospel
1) He makes several statements, "the last thing that God wants is to send any man or woman--deeply loved by Him and made in His very image--to this place called Hell" (p.11; cf. 95). Definitely coming from an Arminian perspective that portrays God wanting desperately for sins to come to Him without any ability to affect it.
2) The overall tenor the book is very casual. Several of the paraphrased stories of the Bible came off as quite irreverent. He added conversations between Jesus and several characters in an effort to make the stories connect more with the modern day. However, though it was engaging, it does not seem to respect the actual accounts written in Scripture. Shouldn't the story in the Bible be enough?
3) The final chapter "My First 'Sermon'" recounts a story of him preaching the Gospel and being asked to baptize newly confessed believers. However, he does not acknowledge the importance of baptism into a local church but rather talks about the great opportunity it was to share the gospel and baptize newly confessed believers. Baptism is connected with the admission into the local church (Acts 2:41; Rom. 6:1-5; see also "Going Public" by Bobby Jamieson) and I thought it was quite unhelpful how he recounts this story so positively apart from the connection with the local church).
4) He talks about the importance of the local church (p. 112), but it is merely for the experience of growing in your faith. He does not mention the New Testament worldview that the life of the believer is intimately connected in the local church (notice how many references to the "church of" are in the New Testament or how many of the New Testament books address local churches rather than Christian broadly).
5) He also includes several comments about a "recommitment to Christ" (p.51, 80, 107), but it does not seem to be more than church attendance. The language tends to be Arminian and presupposes a "backsliding." However, the Bible seems to indicate that you are either walking in darkness or walking in light (1 John 1:5-10). Laurie needs to develop his understanding of conversion and what it means to live out the Christian life. Ultimately, this is connected with the previous point where this book does not include many comments or emphasis on follow-up or discipleship.
Positives:
1) Encouraging stories to share the Gospel
2) Talks about the importance of mentioning Hell (p. 95).
3) Shares the Gospel
August 20, 2022
This is a very simple, brief, straightforward book about sharing the gospel… Salvation through Jesus Christ. The call is to all of us to do so. He is the only hope of mankind on an individual basis, just as he loves each one of us on an individual basis.
I was fully reminded of this calling while reading this book. In this hurting world, when the opportunity presents itself, ultimately we just need to be ready to ask someone “Do you know that every single person is a sinner, including me and you? And do you realize that we will never be good enough (no matter how hard we try), or perfect enough, to enter into the wondrous joy and perfection of God in heaven? But it’s okay because God provided a way in His perfect Son Jesus Who was willing to die for my sin, and your sin, so that we can be with Him in heaven.
Scripture says “If salvation comes through our works then Christ died needlessly.” But He didn’t die needlessly. He had to die for us to live forever in heaven… and He willingly did so. Just like the apostle John said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but will have eternal life.” I pray that God will enable me through the power of his Holy Spirit to be ready at all times to share this good news.
I was fully reminded of this calling while reading this book. In this hurting world, when the opportunity presents itself, ultimately we just need to be ready to ask someone “Do you know that every single person is a sinner, including me and you? And do you realize that we will never be good enough (no matter how hard we try), or perfect enough, to enter into the wondrous joy and perfection of God in heaven? But it’s okay because God provided a way in His perfect Son Jesus Who was willing to die for my sin, and your sin, so that we can be with Him in heaven.
Scripture says “If salvation comes through our works then Christ died needlessly.” But He didn’t die needlessly. He had to die for us to live forever in heaven… and He willingly did so. Just like the apostle John said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but will have eternal life.” I pray that God will enable me through the power of his Holy Spirit to be ready at all times to share this good news.
March 24, 2022
Some good points and a good book for beginners. One thing in particular that I disagree with is the chapter called, "Closing The Deal." Greg is known for the sinner's prayer and a proponent of it. He repeatedly asks people to repeat a prayer and then voila... Congratulations you're a Christian! That is not how you do evangelism. If the person I am talking to understands the gospel, realizes there is a sinner, and understands how much that offends a holy God - then why do I have to have this person repeat a prayer? When I got saved nobody had to lead me in a prayer. I knew I was guilty and offended a holy God. I got done on my knees beg for forgiveness and confessed all the known sin I can remember. If a husband cheats on his wife and he is truly sorry for what he did, you don't have to lead him in an apology. That's ridiculous, and doesn't really show a person really sorry for what they did. Sharing the gospel, and leading a person to Christ is not magic. It's not special words. It's a lifelong surrender to Jesus Christ and the moving of the holy Spirit.
October 5, 2020
This book is little but it is loud! For such a small book it packs a punch! I honestly felt the hand of God in this book. We are to share our faith, and help others to come to faith. What is the point of keeping such a spectacular thing in our lives to ourselves? If we had the cure for cancer would we be greedy enough to keep it to ourselves only? We have a cure for our spiritual lives and it is our Christian duty to share it with others. It is a command straight from Christ, Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20. So tell someone about Jesus you won't regret it.
June 17, 2021
I enjoyed this book. Laurie is not selling one method or another of evangelism. Laurie is expressing the simple need that we must have a heart for the lost and must feel this desire to win the lost because the thoughts of another person dying and being condemned to hell for their lack of belief in Jesus.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to people needing another jolt and a wake up call.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to people needing another jolt and a wake up call.
September 8, 2023
Mostly good intro to evangelism. I think Mark Dever’s “The Gospel and Personal Evangelism” for the practical approach as well as Packer’s “Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God” for the theological approach are two books I would recommend before this one. Nevertheless, it is a nice addition to that topic.
October 16, 2018
Short read that is a great reminder of our mission on earth!
The quote that he gave from Billy Graham really says it all—“We are the Bibles the world is reading. We are the creeds the world is needing. We are the sermons the world is heeding.”
The quote that he gave from Billy Graham really says it all—“We are the Bibles the world is reading. We are the creeds the world is needing. We are the sermons the world is heeding.”
October 17, 2018
A wonderfully simple book on Evangelism. Laurie does a great job of reminding us that we have been given a clear command by Christ to share the gospel. Eternity is at stake, brothers & sisters. Tell someone!
June 4, 2020
nothing super deep, nothing super new, but man! what a convicting book. it's so simple and easy to read, and the whole time i found myself spurred on and convicted by Laurie's words. couldn't ask for much more from a book on evangelism :)
January 24, 2022
I am developing thoughts about this topic but this was good. Great exegetical point about the rich young ruler in here by the way. Jesus didn't deal with everyone the same way but asked questions specifically directed to that individual.
September 27, 2022
A great reminder that we need to be telling others about Jesus all the time. I only disagreed with the portion about "closing the deal," because it seemed as if there was too much of an emphasis on there being a prayer
April 13, 2023
READ MAR 2023
This is a nicely written summary of how evangelism can happen in a natural way. On the heels of the movie The Jesus Revolution, it was nice to head some of Laurie's perspective on this time in his life.
This is a nicely written summary of how evangelism can happen in a natural way. On the heels of the movie The Jesus Revolution, it was nice to head some of Laurie's perspective on this time in his life.
May 2, 2018
Yes, tell someone
Greg Laurie gives a short but powerful book helping all of us move out of our comfort zone and into the Great Commission zone.
Greg Laurie gives a short but powerful book helping all of us move out of our comfort zone and into the Great Commission zone.
July 7, 2018
Quick and concise read. Lays out the reasons we should be witnessing pretty clearly.
September 27, 2018
Straight to the point. Best, concise evangelistic advice, written by a true evangelist.
March 3, 2019
What a fantastic read. This is exactly what people need. Laurie even breaks down cases from the Bible and points out what was done and why. Great material.
July 11, 2019
Easy to read, foundational primer on how to share your faith.
January 28, 2020
Short and sweet, but no less an encouragement to share what is most important.
March 6, 2020
This book is a gentle reminder of the importance of sharing the gospel and lovingly examining Christ's example of how we must point all the people in our life to Jesus.
May 31, 2020
Great Book! This is a short book with lots of information.👍🏽
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews