I must say that I have been found guilty of the same thing. I may not have kids but I have had the chance to lead. Instead of telling them where to go, I took their time to try and fix them rather. I should have taught them about the Great Physician, the One who can make any man’s path straight.

As Christians, there are times when we place ourselves in tough situations, those predicaments that often end in regret. The ones that we walk away from and say to ourselves, “Boy, I wish I had handled that a little different.” Those are the times that we learn from, of course, but they can also lead to discouragement in our ministry.

Allow me to suggest a few fundamentals to help in your own conversations about the Gospel.

Make it simple. The hardest part about spreading the Gospel is that we make it complicated. Take a step back and look at the whole spectrum. Need I say that? Just look at this verse. Paul said to the Corinthians, “When I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:1-2). It’s that simple. Being capable of using Proverbs to identify one’s misuse of their life is not always the way to go. Nor is trying to teach them Genesis through Revelation in ten minutes. We need to be simple and talk Jesus and Him crucified.

Speak timely. A big problem we face in the work of spreading the Gospel is talking too much. Talking too much can foster destruction. Disciplining our tongue pays off in this work of life. Everyone must be quick to listen and slow to speak in order to reach people (James 1:19). There is a Proverb that says, “A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word” (Proverbs 15:23). Saying the right thing at the right time is a blessing to others. Not only is it a fruitful understanding that they will receive but it can also lead to their salvation. Listening more than talking, you might learn something. Talking more than listening, they might learn to avoid crossing paths again.

Be as ready as possible. I would much rather realize I left my coat at home on an airplane to Alaska than to be caught not having any defense towards someone’s question regarding the Bible. “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15). We will never be able to answer every question out there. Even the wise can even testify to that. However, there are some common questions. How must one become saved, perhaps? Or, if someone says to you, “God tempted me to…”, what would your reply be? Just diligently seek to find out the truth of God’s word and people will be seeking to find you for the answers.

Don’t say it if it isn’t said. The worse thing we can do is mislead people. We might sound correct but that doesn’t necessarily mean we are correctly using the Scriptures. The words we give others might lead them one way or the other but only God’s word leads them to Him. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). What faith will we deliver if we’re speaking of the Truth and all the information is false? I have always stuck to a rule of thumb. If you are asked about something you don’t have an answer for, just say, “I don’t know.”

Let the little things become big. Seeing an opportunity to advance in further instruction towards people should be our goal. Letting those opportunities slip away due to a small mistake can become weighty. So turn that little thing into an ambition. Seek to learn from the word of God what the answer is, or find a wise man. Doing so will increase understanding and more successful outcomes in this work. “He who gives attention to the word will find good” and “The heart of the wise instructs his mouth and will add persuasiveness to his lips” say that we can be guided into understanding (Proverbs 16:20, Proverbs 16:23). Many a time, a man will be capable of recognizing his mistake in this work but not know how to go about it the next time around. Learn where you stumble then remove those rocks in the road.

Each and every day will bring new surprises. How will you prepare, react, and walk away the next time? Place yourself in a better position than yesterday and reach for the goals of tomorrow by seizing the opportunities of today.