Discuss Assignments from Last Meeting

• Take turns sharing your testimony with one of your teammates. Listen to their testimony and give constructive feedback on how to use simple and non-churchy language.

• What method of sharing the gospel do you prefer? Be sure to ask your host if they have a method they want you to learn for their context.

• Who is one person from your “10 most wanted” that you want to have a spiritual conversation with this week?

Getting to the Gospel: Three Stories

“Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.” Ephesians 6:19

Sharing the gospel can feel intimidating and it is normal to be nervous. Some common objections include: I don’t want to offend people; I feel so unprepared when I am sharing; I don’t have the gift of evangelism; or I can’t answer difficult questions. Our own insecurities often hinder us from confidently sharing the message. However, you are being sent out this summer to share a message that transforms lives by God’s power. In Romans 1:16, Paul boldly states: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.”

Even when you want to share, it can feel awkward to introduce the gospel. OneLink encourages you to think of a Three Stories approach for moving a conversation toward the good news.

First, you start with asking questions that show you care about them and want to learn their life story. Then you look for an opportunity to transition by asking them something like; “I haven’t experienced all that you have, but can I share with you something that has helped me (my story)?” If you have the green light, then you should be prepared to share the gospel in a way that is simple and clear.

The term “gospel” is used commonly in Christian circles but many find it difficult to explain in simple terms. Simply put, the gospel means “good news” and Jesus commands us, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation!” (Mark 16:15). But what are the most essential elements of this good news and how can I share it effectively?

Sharing the Gospel: Three Circles

Sometimes it is helpful to memorize a method for sharing the gospel so that when the opportunity comes you can share confidently knowing you haven’t missed anything essential. There are many good methods, and if your overseas host recommends a tool for their context, you should become proficient with that method. But OneLink recommends the Three Circles method to go with the Three Stories approach. Many of our partners in the US and overseas have found the Three Circles gospel explanation effective and easy to remember.

God’s Design, Our Sin, God’s Solution

First Circle: God’s plan is that humans are created to live in a perfect loving relationship with God and other people in this world. If humans live according to his design they have blessing, peace, and eternal life. However, humans reject God and his loving plan to live for their own desires and purposes. This is called sin and it will have negative effects in this life and the next.

Second Circle: This rebellion against God results in brokenness in this world that affects humans relationally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. As a result, humans seek meaning and purpose in things like money, power, and success, or they seek comfort in sexual relationships, addictive substances, etc. In what ways have you personally left God’s plan and experienced brokenness in your life?

Third Circle: You are helpless to fix all that is broken, but God loves you and provides a solution to this brokenness caused by sin. He sent Jesus down to earth as a man, he died on the cross to pay the penalty of your sin, and He raised him to life three days later. The essential gospel is represented in this circle, the down arrow (incarnation), the cross (crucifixion), the up arrow (resurrection).

God urges you to confess your sin and turn away from your sin and back to Him (repentance). You must believe that Jesus is God’s son and that he was sent to provide forgiveness for your sin. If you commit to follow Jesus and give him control of your life, you will be freed from the control of sin and begin the process of healing and restoration. You will also receive the Holy Spirit to help you pursue God’s design again .

It is important that you invite a personal response to the gospel presentation you have shared. For example you can ask, “Is this something you are ready to do today and begin a new life pursuing God’s plan for your life?” Then wait for their answer.

If they are ready but unsure what to do, you can ask them to repeat after you an ABC prayer.

• God, I Admit I am a sinner and I need your forgiveness, I want to turn from my sin and follow your plan for my life.
• I Believe that Jesus is the son of God, he died on the cross for my sin, and was raised to life after three days. 
• I Commit my life to you and I believe you give the Holy Spirit to help and guide me.

Of course, there may be some groundwork that needs to be laid before sharing the whole gospel, and you may not have the opportunity to share the whole gospel every time. You may have some very natural opportunities to share and on the other hand sometimes you will need to intentionally guide the conversation to spiritual things. You will need boldness and initiative to take any opportunity that God gives you! Even sharing your testimony, a Bible story, or even just a piece of God’s truth can discern whether the hearer is open to hear more in the future. However, Romans 10: 13-15 is clear that the gospel message must be verbally shared for people to hear and believe in Jesus for salvation.

Three Circles Gospel Presentation

Sharing the Gospel Cross-Culturally

You may have heard the phrase “the kind of evangelism that works is the kind that you do.” Some methods of sharing the gospel are not inherently superior to others. However, some methods may be more appropriate for certain contexts, especially in countries and cultures outside our own. Our aim should be to communicate the gospel in a way that our audience can most easily understand the message. (This is often called “contextualization.”)

Watch as she attempts to share the gospel with her national friend.

FOCUStani What NOT to Do

Discuss some reasons why this gospel presentation did not go “smoothly”?

Tips for Sharing Cross-Culturally

The fundamental principles of sharing the gospel are the same everywhere, but there are a couple of things to keep in mind as you share cross-culturally.

SLOW DOWN and USE SIMPLE TERMS: In a different culture you will primarily share with people for whom English is not their native language. Even if there is a lot of smiling and nodding in their response, this does not necessarily mean that they are understanding you.

AVOID WESTERN CHRISTIAN JARGON and COMPLEX DOCTRINE: Sometimes in our efforts to communicate well we use words that are Christian jargon. Theological terms such as propitiation, atonement and redemption will not be understood. Even simpler terms like sin, repentance, salvation, sacrifice, savior can be confusing and may need to be explained further. Western idioms like, asking Jesus into my heart, praying to receive Jesus, walking the aisle, giving my life to Jesus, getting saved, etc. should be avoided in cross-cultural contexts. 

Roles and Responsibilities

Evangelism is not a professional job for a few trained men, but is instead the unrelenting responsibility of every person who belongs to the company of Jesus.

D. Elton Trueblood

Salvation belongs to our God and he will do the saving. However, the LORD God has chosen to use believers to spread the message about salvation, he has no plan B. The Bible speaks of human responsibility in sharing the gospel and God’s sovereignty in salvation as two sides of the same coin. They do not contradict but are compatible in God’s plan. As you seek to share the gospel, remember that God is the only one who can save, and as a “witness” your responsibility is to faithfully share what you know. Believing in Christ is more than simply knowing the truth, but faith must start with sharing the truth. Every time a person believes, it is truly a miracle and God deserves all the glory. The results of your faithfulness will only be known in heaven. You are “One Link” in an individual’s journey to faith, an essential part of what God is doing to draw them to himself.  

For Bible verses supporting both concepts:

OneLink Value: Initiative

Definition: The ability to see a need and act to meet the need without having to be told what to do. We are proactive and intentional in our efforts to serve people and share the Gospel with the lost.

Key Verses:

• Colossians 4:5
• Ecclesiastes 9:10
• Romans 12:7-8

This summer you will need to take initiative in a variety of ways. Some examples include, figuring out how to get around in your host culture, meeting the needs of your team and hosts, striking up conversations with complete strangers, and boldly sharing the gospel when there is an open door. Taking initiative to read a situation accurately and act appropriately is a skill that needs to be practiced and developed. You will hear about the Read / Act Model throughout your training (R/A Model for short).

The Read Act Model:

This is a tool that is helpful for leaders as well as team members. Some are naturally good at “reading” a situation and others are naturally good at “acting” to get things done.

1. Ideally we strive to read well what should be done and act in a timely and effective manner: This person is acting with a big R and big A.
2. Some tend toward over-analysis and are slow to act or don’t act at all, big R, little a.
3. Some quickly jump into action without attempting to determine the best course, little r, big A.
4. The worst is being oblivious to the problem and/or failing to take any action, little r, little a.

Some keys to having a Big R and Big A in making decisions are considering the following factors:

How important is this issue? How urgent is this issue? Who will be affected? Should I get feedback from others on the issue? What is the best decision for all involved?

Final Step