Sharing the Gospel
The greatest gift you can give someone is the good news of Jesus Christ. You don't have to have all the answers or be a Bible scholar to share the gospel. God simply calls us to faithfully tell others who Jesus is and what He has done. Remember, God changes hearts; our responsibility is to lovingly share the good news of Jesus.
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..." Romans 1:16
One conversation could change someone's eternity.
What is the Gospel?
The word gospel means "good news." The good news is that although every one of us has sinned and is separated from God, Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead to provide forgiveness and eternal life for everyone who trusts in Him.
The gospel message is simple:
1. God created us to know him
The God who created everything also created you. He created us in His image to have a relationship with Him and to experience the joy, purpose, and life that come from knowing our Creator. We were made to worship God, walk with Him, and find our identity in Him.
SCRIPTURE:
Genesis 1:27 - "So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female.
Colossians 1:16 - "For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through him and for him."
2. Sin Broke our relationship with God
Ready for the bad news? Although God created us for a relationship with Him, our sin separates us from God and leaves us unable to save ourselves. At its core, sin is simply rebelling against God. The Bible teaches that every single person has done this. We're all sinners separated from our Holy Creator. Tragically, as a result of our sin, our lives and our world are broken. We can't fix it or save ourselves. We need a Savior.
SCRIPTURE:
Romans 3:23 - "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"
Romans 6:23 -"For the wages of sin is death..."
Isaiah 59:2 - "But your iniquities are separating you from your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not listen."
3. Jesus died and rose again in our place
This is where the good news breaks in! Keep in mind that God is both just and merciful. According to God's Word, our sin demands death (Romans 6:23). But instead of us having to pay that price ourselves, God sent his son, Jesus, to pay the price for us. Jesus lived a perfectly sinless life, a life that you could never live. He willingly went to a Roman cross to die the death you deserved to die. And he rose from the grave after three days (just as he said he would!) forever defeating sin and death for those who place their faith in him for salvation.
SCRIPTURE:
Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 5:8 - "But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
2 Corinthians 5:21 - "He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
John 3:16 - "For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."
4. We respond in faith and are saved
God offers forgiveness and new life through Jesus Christ. We respond by turning away from our sin and trusting in Jesus alone for salvation. When we place our faith in Him, we are forgiven, adopted into God’s family, and begin a lifelong journey of following Him.
SCRIPTURE:
Romans 10:9 - "If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:13 - "For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!"
THREE CIRCLES ILLUSTRATION
Need help sharing the gospel? 3 Circles is a helpful tool designed to be drawn quickly on a napkin at a coffee shop or on a piece of paper in your classroom.
Tips for sharing the gospel
1. Pray first: Ask God for wisdom, love, and courage.
2. Keep it simple: Focus on Jesus more than on having the perfect words.
3. Listen well: Ask questions and show genuine interest in their story.
4. Be personal: Share how Jesus has changed your life.
5. Invite response: Ask if they have any questions or if they are ready to trust Jesus for salvation.
6. Trust God: Your job is to be faithful; God is responsible for changing hearts.
Starting the Conversation
Spiritual conversations often begin naturally through everyday relationships. You might ask:
"Can I share something that's made a huge difference in my life?"
"Have you ever thought about what happens after we die?"
"Would it be okay if I shared what I believe about Jesus?"