How to share the Gospel

[Church Buddy]

Because of this scripture...

2 Corinthians 3:3 (New International Version)
3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

[Jennifer]

Hey I'm back......Wow did this thread take off 45 post in less than 24 hours. Got to read the thread now but just letting you know I am back would have been sooner but I had church.

[Jennifer]

I have noticed that there are a lot of people who claim Christianity but when you ask them the question "what is the Gospel" they have no idea. I can't fault them really because I didn't know what the Gospel was either until years after I had decided to follow Jesus.

After a lot of thought it just seemed to me that the reason we see such a low commitment level when it comes to Following Christ is because they don't understand what it is they are committing to or why they need to commit to it. So that was my reason for the thread I wanted to see how the gospel can be incorporated into our witnessing without us being hyper-religious to a generation that wants nothing to do with such things.

[Church Buddy]

I have noticed that there are a lot of people who claim Christianity but when you ask them the question "what is the Gospel" they have no idea. I can't fault them really because I didn't know what the Gospel was either until years after I had decided to follow Jesus.

After a lot of thought it just seemed to me that the reason we see such a low commitment level when it comes to Following Christ is because they don't understand what it is they are committing to or why they need to commit to it. So that was my reason for the thread I wanted to see how the gospel can be incorporated into our witnessing without us being hyper-religious to a generation that wants nothing to do with such things.

Thank you. I quite enjoyed having fun. I noticed the same thing. It should have been obvious that with there being 4 Gospels, a single Gospel would be the 4 put into 1.

[Athanasius]

Matthew 22:29 (New International Version)
Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.

I fail to see the point in this, as you haven't done that great of a job explaining the gospel. Rather, you've gone through hoops trying to explain it in "understandable" terms.

[Ixthus]

I tend to use the Wordless book when I am sharing the gospel. It is a great tool, not sure who came up with it but I know D.L. Moody used it and improved it. Even when I don't use the wordless book itself I follow the same train of thought so to say. No matter how good or bad I am at teaching any of these things if the Holy Spirit is not working within me and the other person/people it is in vain.

Colors
Gold - Jeremiah 31:3, 1 John 4:8, ect, There is a perfect God who's love is unfailing, he created us and he loves his creation
Dark (Black) Romans 3:23, Isaiah 53:6, Romans 6:23 ect Sin, anything we think, say, do that breaks God's laws or displeases him.
Red - 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, John 3:16, Romans 5:8 Jesus the perfect son of God, lived perfect life as an example for us and died on the cross for our sins
Clean (White) Acts 16:31, John 3:16, Romans 10:13, ect.
Green 1 Peter 3:18, Jeremiah 33:3, ect

[Athanasius]

If you had to explain the Gospel to someone with out using religious speak and without making the person feel like you were bashing them with scripture or taking them down the Romans road how would you do it and what would you say to someone who has never heard the Gospel before?

I know the Gospel I was just asking how would you do it.

If I were to ask you to explain the Gospel without talking about Jesus, sin or salvation, would you take that as a fair question? If not, why?

[Church Buddy]

I fail to see the point in this, as you haven't done that great of a job explaining the gospel. Rather, you've gone through hoops trying to explain it in "understandable" terms.

So tell me then, kind Sir. What exactly are you looking for? I have covered from the time of Moses, to the Gospel (which happens to be from the Birth of Christ till his death) as well as the Gospel itself. I have explained why the change took place, as well as why Christ gave up his life for us.

The point is this. You don't have to explain it in Religious terms, scripture already does that. In fact scripture tells us that this is no longer needed.

2 Corinthians 3:3 (New International Version)
3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

[christseeker]

Anytime you witness your using religious terms

[Church Buddy]

Anytime you witness your using religious terms

How so? You think that a gang banger on the street is going to let you preach to him? If you try putting it in religious terms, he is liable to put a bullet in you. If not he will chase you off his block, mocking you the whole way.

This is exactly why Paul said this...

Paul’s Use of His Freedom
19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

We must try to be all things to all people in order to be innocent of the blood of all men.

[christseeker]

How so?

Because Christianity is a religion and you can never get away from that. I witnessed to gang bangers when I was on the drama team in college and never had a bullet or got ran off.

[Athanasius]

So tell me then, kind Sir. What exactly are you looking for? I have covered from the time of Moses, to the Gospel (which happens to be from the Birth of Christ till his death) as well as the Gospel itself. I have explained why the change took place, as well as why Christ gave up his life for us.

You did? In all seriousness I've come away more confused after your presentation.

The point is this. You don't have to explain it in Religious terms, scripture already does that. In fact scripture tells us that this is no longer needed.

2 Corinthians 3:3 (New International Version)
3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

So you've taken this to mean that when asked 'what is the Gospel', you ought to explain by appealing to 'fantasy kingdom' terminology?
If I had to explain the gospel, I think I'd use three words: "God loves you".

[Church Buddy]

Because Christianity is a religion and you can never get away from that. I witnessed to gang bangers when I was on the drama team in college and never had a bullet or got ran off.

Well, I took it too the streets, so I suppose it was a different story. I see your point, as you see mine.

[Church Buddy]

You did? In all seriousness I've come away more confused after your presentation.
So you've taken this to mean that when asked 'what is the Gospel', you ought to explain by appealing to 'fantasy kingdom' terminology?
If I had to explain the gospel, I think I'd use three words: "God loves you".

And that explains the Gospel?

[Athanasius]

And that explains the Gospel?

Why do you feel it doesn't?