Presenting the Gospel, the
good news of Jesus Christ's death, burial, and resurrection is
at once the most
precious
privilege and the most daunting responsibility that faces
every believer.
I grant you that there are some believers,
usually with the gift of
evangelism, that have no problem sharing God's greatest
gift with others. However,
for
most believers, the very thought of even gently confronting a possible
unbeliever with
his or her need of Christ
brings fear and trembling and so, unfortunately, many believers
avoid presenting
the Gospel at all.
Incidentally, if
you're not sure about your standing with the Holy God of the universe,
click
on "A Gift for You"
above and read it carefully before you go any further on this page.
However, if you are a true believer and
really want to be obedient in
this crucial area,
the tips on this page may be just what you need and for which
you may have even been praying.
Tip # 1 - Presenting the
Gospel doesn't mean you have to lead a person to faith in Christ.
Actually,
that is the Holy Spirit's job. He may give
you the incomparable joy of leading
someone to faith in Christ, but all
you are responsible for is sharing the "how" or even
just offering to share the
"how."
Tip # 2 - Never use the
phrase, "Good News" unless you have just recently met the one
with whom you are trying to share it, or are willing to apologize for your negligence
with older
friends.
Tip # 3 - Many believers
would be willing and able to share the plan of salvation. However,
they don't have a
clue
when it comes to leading a conversation to the place where the
plan of salvation
is a natural result.
Below are seven conversational, non-threatening
questions that you can use for
this purpose. Start
with the first one and proceed to the last
not responding to their answers.
Show genuine interest in
the responses but don't argue with
the answers.
This is what Jesus
meant in Matthew 4:19
when He said, "Follow Me and I
will make you fishers of
men."
Someone has wisely remarked, "If you aren't fishing you aren't following."
1. "What sort of spiritual background do you have?"
2. "What are your spiritual beliefs now?"
3. "What is your concept of heaven and hell?"
4. "Who is Jesus to you?"
5. "If you were to die, right now, where would you go?"
6. "Has anyone ever taken a Bible and shown you how you could know for
sure that you would
go to heaven?"
7. "Would you be willing to let me to do that for you?"
At this point, if he or she says, "No," don't push them but offer to share with
him or
her at any time.
If he or she accepts your offer, you are ready to share the plan of
salvation.
If you have some
verses with which you are comfortable, prayerfully use
them now. If
you don't have a plan,
prayerfully use this one:
1. Everyone is a sinner by nature and by act or choice. (Romans
3:23)
2. Your sin has separated you from God. (Isaiah 59:2; 64:6)
3. Your penalty for your sin is death. (Romans 6:23a) (death = separation from God, both physically and spiritually) 4. God has provided a remedy for your sin. (Romans 6:23b)
5. To be saved from the penalty of sin, you must believe that Jesus, God
Himself,
has paid
your penalty in full on the cross where He died for you sin. (Acts 16:31)
If anywhere along the way, your friend has genuine questions and wants to spend
some
quality time
with you, click on "A Gift for You" above and read it prayerfully and carefully
together. Don't hesitate
to contact Pastor Jones at any time.
"He that winneth souls is
wise." (Proverbs 11:30)
"He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless
come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." (Psalm 126:6)
