Share the Good News
Just as new mothers love to share their newborn baby, new believers are some of the most effective evangelists because of their enthusiasm about their new life in Jesus. Sharing the Gospel wasn’t relegated to an institution, but given as a charge to individuals. Those who have been saved are sent into the world with a saving message to the world in need.
The message of the Gospel is addressed in Belong: To Christ (1) - Believe the Gospel. There are many helpful methods which have proven effective for sharing the Good News. Two are mentioned here.
One-Verse Evangelism
The Gospel gloriously weaves many verses from the Bible (see Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, and Romans 10:9), but some teachers use Romans 6:23 by itself: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
First, on the left side of a piece of paper, write the phrases from the first part of the verse and explain the following ideas (i.e., Write “The wages” and say, “The verse mentions wages which are what a person earns for a work they perform”).
Next, write the phrases from the second part of the verse on the right side of the paper and explain (i.e., Write “The Gift” and say “A gift is opposite of something we earn. It’s freely given”).
Finally, between the phrases on the left and right side of your page, list the three names/roles of Jesus in the middle. Explain that Jesus is the Messiah promised throughout the Old Testament, that He is the Savior sent from God to rescue humanity and that He is the rightful Lord over our lives.
Hand-To-Hand Evangelism
Preaching before large crowds, some evangelists have used two chairs to demonstrate our broken relationship with God (turning away) and how God turns to people through His Son, Jesus. The chairs become a visible illustration of a person’s connection with God before and after faith in Jesus Christ. In a more personal conversation, you may use your hands effectively. Hold your thumbs out on each hand with your first finger (or all fingers) pointing up to create two “chairs.” See Figure 1.
With your hands in this first position, explain that God created human beings for a relationship with Himself. When two people face one another, they are engaged in a conversation or relationship. However, when sin entered the world through Adam, we “turned ourselves away” from God. This turning away is called “sin.” All of us are born with this condition and in a position away from God. At this moment, turn your left hand so that your thumb is facing to the left (below). Figure 2 expresses that our “back” is against God, no longer in a relationship.
Next, explain that, because God is holy, He cannot tolerate sin and must turn His back on the sinner. Turn your right hand so that your thumb faces the right (Figure 3). Explain that there is now a “chasm” dividing human beings and God. Though we try to restore our relationship, there is nothing we can do.
This, of course, is the bad news. And, though we continue to “do right,” we cannot become righteous before God on our own. So, God graciously sent His Son into the world to die for sinners. Now it is time to turn your right hand (representing God) back around so that your thumb is facing inward. This illustrates God making a relationship with Himself possible. You may now finish the Gospel presentation by stating that the only way we turn toward God is through faith. When we trust in Jesus as our Savior, our relationship with God is restored (turn your left hand back around to the original, starting position).
SUMMARY
No one begins to walk the spiritual pathway with God until they BELONG to Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, there are many false gospels being offered in our churches and culture. So, we must trust only the right Gospel which is by grace, through faith. Those who believe in Jesus should be baptized and, according to the Scriptures, can have eternal assurance of their salvation. Believers should be able to share the story of what God has done for them personally and be willing to share the Gospel with others around them.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP
- Have you personally placed your faith in Jesus alone for your salvation? If not, what is keeping you from trusting in Him? Go review the four truths in Belong: To Christ (1) - Believe the Gospel. You may begin spiritual life with God right now by expressing your faith in the simple prayer that follows those truths.
- If you are a Christian, have you been baptized? When did this happen? If you have not been baptized, why? Take the next step by contacting your pastor and scheduling your baptism.
- In Belong: To Christ (4) - Be Assured, ten reasons were given for why the Christian may be assured of their salvation. Which one is most compelling for you? Why?
- Why is it important for a Christian to be able to tell their story? If you have not prepared your own testimony using the model presented in Belong: To Christ (2) - Tell Your Story, take some time to do it.
- What is the most important thing you learned from this chapter?