How To Share The Gospel

I long to help unpack and simplify the most important conversation we could have with anyone and that is “sharing the Gospel.”

In the Christian world, we have certain expectations when we hear those three words: Share the Gospel.

For example, when we “share the Gospel” we think it should sound the way our pastor preaches on Sunday or the way our small group leader explains it.

Another expectation we have is we expect people to argue and fight with us. Not always does that happen, in fact people are longing to hear about freedom, healing, grace and provision.

Finally, and probably the most intimidating expectation of all, we expect the person we are talking with to “get saved” right away. Please hear my heart, I would love an immediate conversion every time I shared the Gospel but usually we only hear about the last conversation that leads to the salvation prayer when we are hearing these salvation stories.

I’d like to highlight a few things for us about sharing the Gospel to upset these expectations:

First, when someone is searching the journey has already begun. Though they are not yet made new in Christ, they are already on their journey.

Second, we have the privilege of contributing to their journey by our lifestyle and our conversations with them. It is the Holy Spirit who is leading them, comforting them, and preparing their souls for the moment their spirit meets Jesus. Not us. Through us, yes and that is our privilege, but it’s not us.

Third, If you expect to share the gospel the same way your pastor, your small group leader, or even the way I would say it — I have to apologize. We have not explained this well enough. Please forgive us and please trust we are trying our best with what we have learned and how we have communicated it.

When you share the Gospel with someone it won’t be exactly the same as when I do, or anyone else does. Because even though the Gospel includes the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ for us all, the Gospel is your testimony.

Fourth, I wanted to point out a concept I learned a long time ago in regards to teaching and communication with people. That is “if something is difficult to explain, we don’t fully understand it.” Another way to say that is “the better we understand something, the easier it is to explain it.”

People want to hear about our brokenness and the power of Jesus Christ colliding with it. 

My last point is this, some Christians have done a great job at collecting Biblical concepts in a way that helps people remember scripture when they want to share the Gospel or answer questions, theologically speaking. Two good examples are:

(A) The Peter Package

This is great for folks with a religious background, familiar with Christian terms & culture.

This includes:

Salvation,

Water Baptism,

Holy Spirit Baptism as their emphasis in conversations and experience.

(Acts 2:38-39)

(B) The Romans Road 

This model is great for those who are truly unsaved, lost and hurting, unfamiliar with Christian culture, but have life experience.

This includes the following points as part of the conversation and experience:

The Problem, Romans 3:23;

The Predicament, Romans 4:4-5;

The Penalty, Romans 5:12;

The Provision, Romans 5:8;

The Pardon, Romans 6:23;

and finally, The Process, Romans 10:9-10.

I think both models are great when you want to show the Gospel (in the Bible) to someone, and for using more Bible verses than just John 3:16. However I want us all to have faith that referencing John 3:16 is enough for God to use and that the power of God in our real life is what people are looking for.

Try to answer the following:

(A) Why are you a Christ-follower?

(B) Why don’t you quit being a Christ-follower?

God desires to use us to share the Gospel. He uses our stories to tell His story.

It’s okay to start sharing the Gospel with one verse, as you grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ through reading the Bible, prayer, worship, attending and serving at Church, you’ll naturally grow in your Bible knowledge and other verses will flow out of your story as you share it.

If it’s in us, if we believe it, we will be able to share it with ease even when we don’t have all the answers. Take it from my eight year old who is great at explaining minecraft, but has a horrible time telling me what they did at school earlier in the day. ;)

Go after it! Let’s plunder Hell and populate Heaven!

P.S. Here are two ways to get the conversation started…

Cheering you on

as you manage the tensions you face!