How do you share the Gospel with someone?
If you haven’t asked this question, you’ve probably heard it; this is a common question.
I’d like to present a simple three point outline that I often use to share the Gospel. It is (a) memorable, (b) simple to convey, and (c) flexible for a variety of contexts. There are many ways to share the Gospel (e.g. Four Spiritual Laws and the Romans Road), but I’ve found this method to be quite convenient.
Whoever you are and wherever you’re at, I trust this will encourage you. And maybe it will clarify the Gospel and better equip you to share your faith with those you love. Here is the three point outline, and it can be presented in 90 seconds or a full-length presentation (60+ minutes).
- The Bad News
- The Good News
- The Response
First, The Bad News
The Greek word translated as “gospel” literally means “good news”. The good news of the Gospel is that Jesus has come to save us from our sins, and this is our second point. Of course, this Good News is only good news if we have a sin problem! Thus, in order to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, we must first share the bad news of our sin and brokenness.
Our world is broken. From wars to tsunamis to divorce to human trafficking, it’s pretty obvious that the world is messed up. Something is wrong. Something is broken.
But we don’t need to look that far to find problems.
When I look at myself, I see a desire within me to have whatever I want whenever I want it. And this desire to serve my every whim causes me to bully and manipulate. Ultimately, I’m not satisfied, and my sin leaves destruction in my wake; I hurt others and even myself.
We’ve all sinned. And the Bible states this plainly. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Further, there is a consequence to sin, sin has repercussions. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death.” In addition to the pain our sin causes to us and others, ultimately, we’re all going to die, and this is a result of sin. And sin has done something we might not even notice most of the time: it has separated us from our Creator. God designed us to be in relationship with Him and fully satisfied in Him, but sin has broken that.
But there’s Good News!
Second, The Good News
Wow…that’s some majorly bad news. But there’s good news, great news, in fact! That same verse, Romans 6:23, continues and says, “But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
There is a gift for us. Yes, there is a consequence for our sins, but God has pursued us in His love and made a way for us to escape sin and death and to be reconciled to Him! That’s why Jesus came and walked this Earth. He bore our sins on the Cross, and He bore the consequence for our sins: death.
The Response
Jesus has made a way, and the gift of eternal life is available for every one of us. But how can we accept this gift? Well, thankfully the Bible is clear. And this answer isn’t complex. It’s not about our ability to be perfect, that’s why Jesus died for us.
Simply this: we need to recognize that we’re sinners who need to be saved and to ask Jesus to be our Savior and our Lord (Boss).
Romans 10:9, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
No special set of words are needed, if you call “upon the name of the Lord [you] shall be saved.”
That Is It
That’s it, the Gospel! It’s (2) good news, but the Good News is only good news in light of the (1) bad news. But the (2) Good News is such great news! And there is a way to (3) respond and accept the gift of salvation.
* If the Gospel is new to you, or if you have any questions at all, I don’t want to leave you hanging! Feel free to contact me (jamiesinclair@gmail.com).