10 Ways to Practically Engage the Lost Around You

The Bible teaches Christians to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18–20), that people cannot be saved unless the gospel is preached to them (Romans 10), and that they are to be ambassadors for Christ, with God making His appeal through us (2 Corinthians 5). Yet today, many Christians struggle with this identity. It is already challenging to be a parent, an employee, a pastor, a spouse, and more. How are we supposed to find the time to engage with the lost amid our other responsibilities? Moreover, how can we engage the lost if we do not know any lost people? This raises the question of how a Christian might intentionally engage unbelievers.

So, think about your life. Can you name a nonbeliever in your community? Are you regularly praying for anyone who is lost? The purpose of this article is to offer practical ways for believers to engage with the lost around them.

Sometimes a lack of evangelism reflects the state of our affections. We may not love the lost enough, or our affection for the Lord may not be deep enough. Other times, it stems from a lack of understanding—we simply don’t know where or how to find those who are lost. A previous article discussed how car rides can be a great place for gospel conversations. But how does one get a lost person into the car in the first place?

Below, I offer ten practical ways to seek out the lost and start those gospel conversations.

One quick note before jumping into the list: the goal is not to add more to your schedule. Rather, it’s to help you view your everyday life through a missional lens. How can you use your current rhythms to engage the lost? If you truly have a heart for the lost, does the way you live reflect that?

1. Diagram Your Oikos

Who are the people around you? Do you currently have lost people in your life? Mapping your oikos can help! Oikos is a Greek word that broadly translates to “household.” Today, it’s often used to describe a person’s relational network.

So ask yourself: Who am I around? List your family members, coworkers, and the people you interact with through your hobbies or your children’s activities. For a deeper explanation of mapping your oikos, click here.

2. Visit the same locations at the same time every week

One simple way to meet new people is by visiting the same place at the same time each week. This could be a grocery store, a restaurant, or a coffee shop. When you go at the same time consistently, you’ll start to see the same faces again and again—baristas, cashiers, waitstaff, and fellow customers.

About a year ago, my family and I started going to a local taco joint for dinner. We met the general manager and struck up a conversation. At the end of that conversation, we were able to pray for him. Since then, we’ve returned multiple times, which has given us opportunities to pray for him again and to share the gospel with him. Recently, we even started meeting together to read the Bible!

Simply being present in the same place has opened many doors.

3. Visit cultural restaurants/grocery stores

A great way to practice visiting the same location at the same time is by choosing cultural restaurants and grocery stores instead of places like McDonald’s. When you visit places connected to a different culture, you’ll often encounter people who may not be Christians. This not only creates opportunities to build relationships but also broadens your understanding of the world and deepens your appreciation of God’s love for the nations.

I started by going to a Mediterranean restaurant where the workers are Muslims from a Middle Eastern country. By going regularly, I’ve had spiritual conversation after spiritual conversation with two young men who work there. Eventually, one of them and I even did a “religious building tour swap”—I went to the mosque with him, and he came to church with me!

4. Walk Your Neighborhood or Local Park

All too often, we stay strapped to the couch, watching TV or playing video games. Instead of staying in, simply go outside and walk your neighborhood or a nearby park. Try to walk at the same time each day so you can encounter neighbors consistently and build natural connections over time.

5. Talk with Other Parents at Your Kids’ Activities

When taking your children to activities, it’s tempting to drop them off and run errands or wait in the car. Instead, see this as an opportunity to engage with other parents and develop a missional mindset during this time.

6. View Your Job as a Mission Field

The same principle applies to your workplace. While this may be more difficult for those who work in a church or Christian school, those in secular workplaces are often surrounded by people who don’t know Christ. Be intentional about engaging with your coworkers, seeking to love them as Christ would.

7. Utilize Your Hobbies as Gateways for Mission

Do you enjoy running or working out? What about rock climbing? Maybe your hobby is video games or board games. Instead of running by yourself, find a local running club. Instead of playing board games only with people from your church, go to a local board game shop and play there. The hobbies you typically do alone can be transformed into opportunities for gospel engagement.

8. Be in Public Places

To get to know people, you need to be where people are. This could be a park, a restaurant, or even an online game. Time alone can be good and necessary, but it can’t define your entire lifestyle. Put yourself out there and see how the Lord might use you.

9. Participate in Local Associations

Getting involved in local associations (PTA, school boards, town councils, neighborhood committees, law enforcement associations, etc.) is a great way to connect with your community. It can also strengthen your personal reputation and your church’s reputation. Serving your community in this way demonstrates love and kindness to those around you and may open doors to share your faith with people who do not know Jesus.

10. Pray for Opportunities

Prayer is powerful, and the Lord hears us when we ask. When we pray according to His will, He guides and directs us. So begin praying that the Lord will give you opportunities to share your faith. Ask Him to open your eyes to those opportunities and to give you boldness to proclaim the gospel and share the love of Christ with others.

I hope these practical steps help you engage the lost around you! Pray that the Lord would guide you to which step you implement!

Lord, give us eyes to see the lost around us. Give us a loving heart and a boldness that comes from the Holy Spirit. May many people be saved because we have taken the initiative to share the love of Christ with others. Father, may you receive the glory due your Name as people of all nations, tribes, and tongues worship you for eternity.