Show and Tell: More than a Classroom Activity

by Connor Coggins

     “What IS that???” my grandmother asked me incredulously as I showed her the axolotl I was drawing. Recently, my extended family was at our house, and I was coloring a picture of an axolotl while listening to the conversation around me. My grandmother asked me what I was doing, so I proceeded to show her. I explained to her that it was an axolotl, and that I had one in my basement. Now, at first glance, axolotls seem like some sort of fictional cartoon character – when I told my grandmother that there was one in the basement, my uncle thought I was joking and trying to prank them! But after a trip downstairs, I could show them my drawing was not a cartoon and that axolotls are, in fact, real. 

Just because something seems unbelievable does not make it untrue. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” The chapter goes on to describe several heroes and how they accomplished their great deeds by faith. I was able to change my family’s unbelief in axolotls by first telling them, and secondly by showing them. Similarly, we need to use these two tactics in tandem: tell people about Jesus, and show them Jesus. There is a misconception amongst many believers that if you are just a ‘good person,’ that is a satisfactory witness to unbelievers around you. While we are certainly called to “let our light shine before men” (Matt. 5:16) we are also called to use our words. Romans 10:14-15 says, “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him in whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’” If I had just shown my grandmother the axolotl, she would have no idea what the creature was and would have had several questions. Our good works are not enough to pass off as “evangelism.” 

On the flip side, if I had merely told my family about my axolotl and not shown it to them, they never would have believed me. Winning souls for Christ should utilize our actions, our words, and of course, lots of prayer, as only Christ can do the work of transforming someone! If you are telling others the good news of Christ, but are not “walking in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (Eph. 4:1), who is going to want to hear what you say? Do you need to begin to verbally share Christ with others? Do you need to do a better job of showing the fruits of a life transformed by Christ? I know I do. We can all get better at both commandments in one way or another.  Revelation 12:11 says, “And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.” Our testimonies are powerful. Ask God for boldness to share what he has done in your life instead of just acting the “right” way. People have questions. We do not have all the answers, but we have THE answer – Jesus Christ! Let’s pray for boldness to use our words well in this spiritual war for souls.

Connor Coggins is a member at Living Hope Church who currently works as a middle school teacher. She loves running, the color yellow, and extra large chocolate chip cookies.