Michael Quattlebaum

Now that you have shared the gospel, there are a number of reactions that you might see.  One of the best examples of this in scripture is the parable of the sower that Jesus shared.

Matthew 13:18-23

• One who does not understand it
• Receives it with joy, but no foundation (temporary)
• One who accepts it but is deceived by wealth and other distractions
• Becomes fruit-bearing

He is a rewarder of those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6)

I am not ashamed of the gospel (Romans 1:16)

Not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21)

World will know you are my disciples if you have love for one another (John 13:35)

Bear fruit and so prove to be my disciples (John 15:8)

Pray for those who have heard the gospel that they might come to know Him. 

(Romans 10:1)

Matthew 24:14; Matthew 28:19

• Pray to prepare your heart and the heart of the person you are sharing with
• Find common ground.
• Don’t force the discussion
• Be respectful of an individual’s views or beliefs.
• Know when to back off and hold the conversation for another time
• Speak with authority about what your know

Here are some specific ways to make a spiritual transition in conversation:

• May I ask you a personal question?
• I enjoy spending time at church with my family.  Do you go to church?
• Do you think much about God?  Or about what happens after you die?
• I’m sorry, I don’t drink.

What should I include when I’m sharing the gospel?

God loves you…                                   Jn.3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, [f] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

But you have sinned…                        Ro.3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

And sin has a penalty…                      Ro.6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in [b] Christ Jesus our Lord.

But Christ paid the penalty…             Ro.5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

You can receive Christ by turning    Jn.1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name,

from you sin and confessing             he gave the right to become children of God–

                                                                Ro.10:9-13 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” [e]  For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile–the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” [f]

Asking for a decision:

• Do you have questions that I can answer before you make a decision?
• Do you think you’re ready to accept Jesus?
• What’s keeping you from making a decision to follow Jesus?

Accepting the Gospel

• I will accept Jesus if __________________________.
• I want to accept Jesus, but first I have to _____________________.
• I will accept Jesus after I clean up ___________________ in my life.
• I want to accept Jesus, but have you seen how ______________ acts, and I don’t want to be like him!
• I want to accept Jesus, but what will _________________ think?
• I want to accept Jesus, but it’s just too hard!
• I want to accept Jesus, but I don’t want to give up _____________.

 Matthew 8:21; Mark 10:21-22; Luke 9:61-62; Romans 10:8-10  

Sharing the Gospel

• I’m scared I will mess something up!
• I’m afraid that someone will have a question that I can’t answer.
• I’m afraid I will turn someone off, and make things worse than they already are.
• I don’t know enough to be able to share the gospel.
• I don’t need to share the gospel…that’s what church is for.
• I pray for missionaries.   They are supposed to share the gospel, right?
• I don’t have the spiritual gift of evangelism, so I can’t share the gospel.
• Someone else is better at it than I am.  Maybe I’ll introduce them.

 1 John 4:18; Romans 10:14; 2 Peter 3:9-15; Luke 10

Read the following passages.  What characteristics do they have in common with each other?  Can you outline the specifics that should be included in the presentation of the gospel?

•  Acts 16:29-34 — Jailer
• John 4:7-26 — The Woman at the Well
• Acts 17:16-34 — Paul at the Areopagus
• Acts 8:26-40 — The Ethiopian
• Acts 7:1-60 — Stephen

Share your own testimony.  Write it down.  Your testimony should include the following:

• What were you like before you became a Christian?  What was your condition?
• How did you come to identify your need for salvation?
• What were some of the events surrounding your accepting Christ?
• How are you different now that you have a personal relationship with Christ?