I grew up in a church that encouraged us as Christians to witness to others.
Sometimes we would walk through communities and hand out pamphlets and booklets that had a Christian message.
Other times we would invite the community members to crusade meetings.
After a while, I started talking to strangers as well as my classmates about Christian-related topics.
I thought I was sharing the gospel. But the truth is that I couldn’t share the gospel because I didn’t know it.
If you had asked me “What is the gospel?”
I would have said “Jesus saves” because that’s what I was told.
But I didn’t know what Jesus was saving me from and why I needed to be saved.
And that’s why you need to ensure that you know the gospel before you start sharing it.
What Is The Gospel?
The Gospel is the Good News that God loves us so much that He gave His Son, Jesus Christ to die for our sins so we can live eternally with Him instead of being eternally separated from Him.
That’s the simplified version of the Gospel. But you may want some more details so let me explain.
God created human beings and He wanted to have close fellowship with us. But man disobeyed God and when that happened, sin entered the world and with sin came spiritual death (Romans 5:12).
The Bible tells us that the penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23). But this is a spiritual death so we will be eternally separated from God who is our Creator and the very source of our life.
The Bible tells us that the only way to cancel the penalty of sin is that blood has to be shed (Hebrews 9:22). But the blood has to be the blood of one who is perfect or sinless.
Only God is sinless so only God’s blood can cancel the penalty of sin which is death (eternal separation from God).
So God sent His Son, Jesus Christ in the form of a human being to shed His blood so the penalty of sin could be cancelled.
He then gives the gift of eternal life to everyone who believes that Jesus Christ died for their sins.
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Why Should You Share The Gospel?
As Christians, we are often encouraged to share our faith. But sometimes we can forget that the Great Commission to share the Gospel is a command given by Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
If you have been hesitant about sharing the Gospel, I want you to remember that this is something that God wants us to do.
Look at what Jesus said in St. Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
-St. Matthew 28:19-20
Eternal life is available for all but non-believers cannot experience the joy of salvation if someone doesn’t share the gospel with them.
That’s why you need to share the gospel. People cannot believe unless they hear. And they cannot hear unless someone shares the Good News with them (Romans 10:14-15).
Will you share the Gospel with those you meet?
How To Share The Gospel With Unbelievers
If you want to share the Gospel with a Non-believer, here are a few steps to help you get started. Make sure you pay special attention to Step #3.
1) Pray Privately
I highly recommend that before you share the gospel you spend a few minutes praying privately.
This doesn’t have to be a long prayer. It can be just a few sentences.
Spend a few minutes asking the Lord to:
- Give you the confidence and boldness needed to share the gospel
- Prepare the person’s heart so he/she can receive the gospel and bear much fruit
- Allow the Holy Spirit to convict the person about sin, righteousness and the judgement
Let me briefly explain why I included those prayer points.
Pray For Boldness
I know that sometimes, you may feel a bit nervous or fearful about sharing the Gospel. Maybe you’re not sure what to say or maybe you’re wondering if you will be able to answer any questions that may arise.
That’s why it’s important that you pray and ask the Lord to give you the boldness to initiate the conversation and the reassurance that He is with you.
Remember God has not given you a Spirit of fear but a Spirit of power. That means He gives you the ability to do the things that He has called you to do.
Pray For The Person’s Heart
In Matthew 13:1-23, Jesus tells us a parable about a sower. This parable is quite insightful because it helps us to realize what can happen when a person hears the Word of God.
The Bible explains that the Word can be fruitful or unfruitful depending on the circumstances. So pray that when you share the Gospel that the person will understand it and believe it so it can bear much fruit.
But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
– Matthew 13:23 (NIV)
Pray That The Holy Spirit Will Convict The Person
I want you to always remember that your role is to share the Gospel. You are not responsible for converting the person.
The Holy Spirit is the only One who can allow a person to realize their need for a Savior. The Holy Spirit has to convict them of their sin, God’s righteousness and the coming judgment (John 16:8).
So you can ask the Holy Spirit to convict them.
And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.
– John 16:8 (NLT)
2) Start a conversation with the person
The next step in sharing the Gospel is to start a conversation with the person.
If you’re friends with them then it may be a little easier to start the conversation.
However, if you want to share the gospel with a co-worker, acquaintance or stranger then you may not be sure where to start.
If that’s the case you can start by greeting them first and asking if you can share the gospel with them. So you could say something like:
“Hey [person’s name], how are you? I would love to share the gospel with you. Are you interested in hearing it?”
OR
“Hey [person’s name]. I have been thinking about how the Gospel changed my life and I would love to share it with you. Are you interested in hearing it?”
If you’re speaking with a stranger, you could say something like:
“Good afternoon, My name is [your name]. I’m a Christian and I’m sharing the gospel of salvation. Would you be interested in hearing it?”
3) Use “The Romans Road To Salvation” Method
The Romans Road To Salvation Method uses Bible verses from the book of Romans to explain the Gospel. I have broken down the method into 6 steps (Step A-F).
It’s a good idea to highlight the verses I share below so you can easily find them.
Step A
If the person agrees to hear the Gospel, continue the conversation by asking them this question:
“If the Lord asks why He should let you into Heaven, what would you say?”
This is a good question to get the person thinking about their life.
It’s also a good question for you because it will help you to understand what the person believes about salvation. Many people think that they can be saved by doing good works.
But you can only be saved by believing that Jesus Christ died for your sins and that God raised Him from the dead. You cannot work for salvation.
If they mention anything about being a good person or the good things they have done then they don’t understand the Gospel.
If they respond by saying anything like “because I believe Christ died for my sins and His righteousness has been credited to me” then they understand the Gospel.
Step B
Help the person to realize that we have all sinned by reading the following Bible verses.
Romans 3:10 (NIV): As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one
Romans 3:23 (NIV): For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Step C
Read Romans 5:12 and show the person that when Adam disobeyed God, sin and death entered the world. Help them to realize sin brings spiritual death.
Romans 5:12 (NLT): When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.
Then read Romans 6:23 and point out that eternal life is a gift so it’s completely FREE. It’s not something you buy or work for.
Romans 6:23 (NIV): For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
It’s just like if a friend decided to buy them a gift. The friend would go to the store, pay for the gift and bring it to them. The friend would do everything; all they have to do is receive it.
Explain that likewise Jesus left Heaven, came to Earth, died on the cross, shed His blood and paid for our sins. He did everything and all they have to do is receive the gift of eternal life by faith.
Step D
Show the non-believer that salvation has been provided. Help them to realize that God loves us even as sinners and sent His son Jesus Christ to die for our sins. Read the following verse:
Romans 5:8 (NIV): But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Point out that many people think that they have to stop doing everything bad before God will save them. But this verse shows that God love us as sinners and Jesus died for us.
When Jesus died for us, He made it possible for our sins to be forgiven and to have eternal life.
However, just because Jesus died for us does not automatically save us. We have to receive salvation.
Step E
Help the non-believer to realize that salvation is received by faith and prayer.
When you get to Verse 13, point out that everyone who calls on the Lord will be saved. Emphasize that EVERYONE includes him/her. Read Romans 10:9-13:
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”
12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,
13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Step F
Get some feedback from the non-believer by asking the following questions:
Do you realize that you are a sinner?
Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins?
If they say “yes” to both questions then you can offer the person the opportunity to accept the gift of salvation.
4) Offer The Opportunity To Accept The Gift Of Salvation
Once you have shared the gospel with someone who is a non-believer, the next step is to offer them the opportunity to accept the gift of salvation.
You can do that by asking them the following question:
“Would you like to be forgiven of all your sins and be saved in God’s Kingdom?”
5) Pray With The Person
The final step is to pray with the person.
If the non-believer decides to accept the gift of salvation then you can ask them to repeat this prayer after you:
Dear God,
I admit that I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus died for my sins and that You raised Him from the dead. Forgive me of all my sins; come into my heart today and live forever. Give me a home in Heaven when I die. Help me to obey you. Amen.
If the non-believer decides not to accept the gift of salvation, you can still say a short prayer for them. You can say something like:
Dear God,
Thank you for this opportunity to share the gospel with [person’s name]. I pray that he/she will understand how much you love him/her and that he/she will be saved in your Kingdom. Continue to watch over him/her and lead him/her. Amen.
Takeaway
Remember it’s not your job to convict or convert anyone. It’s your job to communicate the gospel.
So share the gospel of salvation with your family, friends, acquaintances and strangers and believe that God will do the rest.
I know that sometimes, it can be disheartening when they don’t immediately accept Christ. But I want you to remember that your role is to be obedient.
God has commanded us as Christians to share the Gospel. He did not command us to convict hearts because that’s His job.
So keep praying and sharing the good news then leave the rest to Him.
Remember God is the One who will bring forth the fruit after you have laboured.
Sometimes when you share the Gospel, you’re planting a seed and someone else will come and water it.
Look at what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3:6:
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.
If you have any questions, you can message me on Instagram (@rejoicingwithpurpose) or at info@rejoicingwithpurpose.com.
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