visual gospel presentation

How to Share the Gospel: Simple Presentation Tools

I can count at least ten different gospel presentation tools that I’ve used throughout my lifetime. I could still use any one of them to share the gospel with a spiritually lost person today. What gospel presentation tool do you use?

Ways to Present the Gospel

As a child, my mom led a Good News Club in our home for neighborhood children and taught us the Wordless Book . This was my first exposure to the gospel.

The Wordless Book by Child Evangelism Fellowship uses these five colors to explain the message of the gospel.

GOLD ~ God wants us to be in heaven with Him. BLACK ~ Our sin separates us from God. RED ~ Christ died on the cross as the only payment for our sin. WHITE ~ Accept God’s forgiveness and the free gift of eternal life. GREEN ~ Grow closer to God every day.

Later, as a jr. high student, our youth ministry taught us the Romans Road and I memorized verses from the book of Romans to present the gospel message.

Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 10:9 “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.” Romans 10:10 “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.” Romans 10:13 “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

In high school, I went through a 17 week course on Evangelism Explosion , the training developed by D. James Kennedy. In those 17 weeks, we learned a simple gospel message outline, memorized verses, crafted illustrations, and practiced sharing our faith by visiting people who had visited the church. Maybe you’re most familiar with Evangelism Explosion’s 2 Diagnostic Questions:

ONE: Do you know for sure that you are going to be with God in heaven? TWO: If God were to ask you, “Why should I let you into My heaven?” What would you say?

While in college, I toured with Athlete’s In Action’s track team through Central and Eastern Europe, sharing the gospel with other athletes. As a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ (now CRU) we had to memorize The Four Spiritual Laws,  a popular gospel tract.

Law One: God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. Law Two: Man is sinful and separated from God. As a result, we cannot know God’s wonderful plan for our lives. Law Three: Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for our sin. Through Jesus Christ, we can have our sins forgiven and be restored to a right relationship with God. Law Four: We must place our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior in order to receive the gift of salvation and know God’s wonderful plan for our lives.

After graduating college, I began to use Billy Graham’s outline found in the gospel tract  Steps to Peace with God:

Step ONE: God loves you and wants you to experience peace and life – abundant and eternal. Step TWO: We choose to disobey God and go our own willful way. This results in separation from God. Step THREE: Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the grave. He paid the penalty for our sin and bridged the gap between God and people. Step FOUR: We must trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and receive Him by personal invitation.

Then, in 2003, I developed my own evangelism training based on the acronym YMCA . This fun training incorporated John 3:16 as the one verse to build the gospel message around:

YOU are loved by God. “ For God so loved the world… ” MAN is sinful and separated from God. “ …shall not perish… ” CHRIST died on the cross as the only payment for our sin. “ …that He gave His one and only Son…” ACCEPT God’s gift of eternal life by faith. “ …whoever believes in Him shall… have eternal life.”

Our children began to be taught a simple gospel message presentation through LifeWay’s VBS curriculum, the ABC’s of Salvation .

ADMIT to God that you are a sinner. BELIEVE in Jesus Christ as God’s Son. CONFESS your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

In 2013, Sonlife partnered together with Dare 2 Share to train students to share their faith using Dare 2 Share’s G.O.S.P.E.L. presentation, Life in Six Words . The tool is simple, but strengthened by incredible videos and apps for students to use in sharing their faith.

GOD created us to be with Him. OUR sins separate us from God. SINS cannot be removed by good deeds. PAYING the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again. EVERYONE who trusts in Him alone has eternal life. LIFE with Jesus starts now and lasts forever.

Through the years, I’ve also been introduced to many other great evangelism tools: Three Story Evangelism by Youth For Christ, Three Circles Evangelism by NAMB, EvangeCube, and the Gospel Bead Bracelet being just a few.

Tips for Sharing the Gospel

Here are a few things I think are critically important when it comes to sharing the gospel.

1. Keep it simple.  What each of these evangelism tools help to do is keep the message of the gospel simple. If the message is simple, it will be clear. If the message is simple, it will be understandable. If the message is simple, it will be reproducible. I believe this is why Paul wrote to the church in Colossae, “Pray that I may proclaim it (the gospel) clearly, as I should.” You want the gospel message to be simple enough that when you share it with someone, if they put their faith in Christ for salvation, they can turn around and share that same message with someone else. You’ll notice that in pretty much every one of the above gospel presentation tools, you will find these four basic elements. God’s Love, Man’s Sin, Christ’s Death, Our Response. If the presentation you use is missing any one of these elements, or adds much more than these, you might want to reevaluate for both simplicity and clarity.

2. Bring it up.  Often we don’t share the gospel with someone because we think they are not ready to hear it. If we use a Stop Light as an analogy for someone’s readiness to hear the Gospel—with Red being closed to the gospel, Yellow being interested in spiritual things, and Green being ready to put their faith in Christ—most of us think our friends or neighbors are at the Red light.

A better perspective would be for us to assume our friend is at the Green light, initiate a spiritual conversation, see how they respond, and then evaluate their spiritual readiness. In other words, don’t write them off before we’ve even given them a chance. Their readiness might just surprise us.

3. Land the Plane.  One of the hardest things for us to do when we’ve shared the gospel with someone is to close the deal, to land the plane. We stammer and struggle and just leave the conversation unfinished. Either we’re afraid to be viewed as being too pushy, or we’re afraid of being rejected. When we share the gospel, it should always come with an invitation for the person to respond. Two simple questions help in this regard. 1. So, what do you think? Does this make sense? 2. Would you like to put your trust in Christ alone for forgiveness and eternal life?

4. Pray, Pray, Pray!

• Pray for your lost friends. Jesus prayed, seeing that “the harvest is great, but the workers are few.” Matthew 9:37
• Pray for opportunities to share the Gospel message. “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message…” Colossians 4:3
• Pray for boldness and clarity as you share the gospel. “Pray also for me, that whenever I may speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.” Ephesians 6:19

For Further Consideration

1. Who are the spiritually lost friends you are currently praying for and investing in relationally? Which light do you think they are at—Red, Yellow or Green? Consider viewing them as a Green light, sharing the gospel, and evaluating their true spiritual readiness.

2. What gospel presentation tool are you personally using? Maybe you feel like you’ve known Christ long enough, or been in ministry long enough, that you don’t need a tool. You can just go freestyle. If so, ask yourself: Is the way I share the gospel message reproducible? Can I train others to share the same way I do?

3. Explore. See what great evangelism tools are out there. New ones are being developed every year. I’ve outlined several great tools above. Sonlife has several more in the Evangelism Toolbox in our 4 Chair Discipling seminar guide. Check out a few new tools, especially those that are using technology, whether they be in the form of a website that can be shared through social media or apps ( Life in 6 Words by Dare 2 Share, The Big Story by InterVarsity, GodTools by Cru) that can be installed on smart phones or tablets. One great thing about tools like these is, because they are digital, they are easily shareable and therefore reproducible.

The Three Circles Gospel Presentation: Step-by-Step

Are you looking for an easy way to share the gospel with others? 

Look no further than the Three Circles Gospel Presentation. This simple method or tool has been used by tens of thousands of people and is both engaging and effective. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to use the Three Circles to introduce the gospel to others.

How to Introduce the Three Circles

Introducing the Three Circles is easy. 

Simply ask, “Have you heard of the Three Circles?” If the person says no, say something like, “I’d really like to show it to you. It only takes a minute or two. Would that be OK?” 

You can also try bridging the conversation with something from your own life to set the tone before asking the introducing question.

This simple method or tool has been used by tens of thousands of people and is both engaging and effective.

1st circle: the brokenness.

To start, draw a circle on the right-hand side of a piece of paper. 

You can make a jagged line through it and say something like, “You may have noticed when you turn on the news, a lot of bad stuff is happening.” Mention briefly a few relevant examples depending on what you think might interest the person. 

These things might include anxiety, stress, family breakdown, pain, economic problems, bad government or any number of things that people would agree are a bad thing. For school children, it might be bullying.

Different things for different people.

Then say something like, “This circle represents the fact that we live in a BROKEN world. In fact, we were born into brokenness. Nothing is really fully the way it ought to be.” 

2nd Circle: God’s Original Design

Next, draw a second circle to the left of the first one.

Say something like, “But it wasn’t always this way. When God first made the world, He made it beautiful and perfect.” In this circle, write things like love, peace, joy, health, and rightness. Maybe draw a love heart. 

Our first ancestors lived this way for a short time. 

“But something happened which moved us to this broken circle.” 

Draw a line and an arrow from the Love Circle to the Broken Circle. Label it “SIN” . Basically, what sin is, is the choice to leave God out, to do things our own way, and not respect God’s Word.

You might like to elaborate on this very briefly, depending on the amount of time you feel is right to use. But don’t go on and on because if a person is interested, there will be opportunities to explain it more later.

“People don’t like living in brokenness, so they try various things to get out of it,” you explain next. 

Draw various arrows moving out from the brokenness circle, and give them different labels. For example, “Money, or success, or achievement, or relationships, or philosophy, or good works, or religious activity.” “The problem is, none of these things actually get people out of brokenness. They might seem to help for a short time, but then people find themselves back in brokenness.”

Ask: “Does this make sense so far?”

3rd Circle: The Good News of Jesus

Finally, draw a third circle below the two circles already drawn. In the circle, draw a cross. You will also be drawing a down arrow before it and an up arrow after it.

“God knew nothing we could do by ourselves would get us out of this brokenness. But God loves us and didn’t want things to stay this way, so He sent his Son Jesus to the earth. He was born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead three days later. 

When Jesus died on the cross, He took the punishment we deserved for our sin. When He rose from the dead, He defeated sin and made a way for us to experience salvation.”

Next Steps in 3 Questions

What happens next?

That will depend on their response.

You can ask them 3 main questions:

1. What circle do you live in now in your life?

2. What circle do you want to live in?

3. (If they said they want to live in God’s design): what is keeping you from following Jesus?

From there, it’s all about asking the right questions and trusting the Holy Spirit to guide the conversation. Some may not be ready to turn and believe, but that’s okay. We can invite them to pray and be open to talking again in the future. 

For those who do want to go forward, it’s important to seek wisdom and lead them to immediate obediene to the gospel through baptism, regular discipleship, and participation in a church. 

Let’s trust in God’s guidance and keep sharing His love with others.

Why the Three Circles Works

The Three Circles is an effective tool for sharing the gospel because it is simple, engaging, and easy to remember. 

It doesn’t require any special training or equipment, and anyone can use it. By using the Three Circles, you can help others understand the basic concepts of sin, brokenness, and salvation in a way that is easy to understand.

If you’re looking for a simple and effective way to share the gospel, the Three Circles tool is an excellent option. See a step-by-step Google Slide deck on 3 Circles here .

With just a piece of paper and a pen, you can help others understand the fundamental concepts of sin, brokenness, and salvation. By sharing your own personal testimony and using the Three Circles, you can help others find the salvation Jesus alone offers us.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what is the 3 circles gospel sharing method.

The 3 Circles gospel sharing method is a simple and effective way to communicate the message of the Christian gospel using a visual representation. This method uses three interconnected circles to explain key concepts: God’s Design, Brokenness, and the Gospel. The purpose of the 3 Circles method is to engage in meaningful conversations about faith and lead individuals toward a better understanding of God’s plan for salvation.

2. How does the 3 Circles diagram work?

The 3 Circles diagram consists of three circles, each representing a different aspect of the gospel message:

a. God’s Design: This circle depicts God’s original plan for a perfect world, highlighting concepts like love, peace, and harmony. It emphasizes that humanity was created to have a meaningful relationship with God.

b. Brokenness: The second circle portrays the brokenness that entered the world due to sin. It encompasses struggles, pain, and separation from God. This circle helps people recognize the imperfections in the world and in their own lives.

c. The Gospel: The third circle represents the solution to brokenness—Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. It signifies the redemption and restoration offered through faith in Christ. This circle explains the path to reconciliation with God and eternal life.

The diagram serves as a visual aid to guide conversations about these concepts, making the gospel message easier to understand and remember.

3. Where can someone start in the 3 Circles diagram?

Individuals can start at any point within the 3 Circles diagram, depending on their current understanding and beliefs. Someone might begin at “God’s Design,” acknowledging the original purpose of a perfect world. Others might identify with the “Brokenness” circle, recognizing the challenges and broken aspects of their lives. Some may even begin at the “Gospel” circle, having heard about Christ’s redemptive work before.

Identifying one’s starting point helps in tailoring the conversation to address their specific concerns, questions, and needs, leading them toward a deeper comprehension of the gospel.

4. Where does someone want to be in the 3 Circles diagram?

The ultimate goal of the 3 Circles method is for individuals to move from their starting point toward the center of the diagram—the cross in the “Gospel” circle. This represents a journey of understanding and accepting God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. The desired outcome is for individuals to embrace faith in Christ, experience forgiveness, and establish a renewed relationship with God, ultimately receiving the gift of eternal life.

5. What might hinder someone from turning and trusting in the gospel?

In the context of the 3 Circles gospel sharing method, hindrances to turning and trusting in the gospel can be likened to the four types of soil mentioned in Mark 4:

a. Hard Soil: Just as hard soil prevents seeds from taking root, individuals with hardened hearts may resist the gospel due to skepticism or a closed mindset. Doubts, intellectual barriers, and preconceived notions can create a barrier to understanding and accepting the message.

b. Rocky Soil: Just as shallow soil lacks depth for roots to grow, some individuals might initially respond enthusiastically to the gospel but lack a strong foundation. They may be swayed by emotions or external factors, making their commitment to the gospel fleeting and easily undermined when challenges arise.

c. Thorny Soil: Similar to soil choked by thorns, distractions and worldly concerns can hinder someone from fully embracing the gospel. Materialism, worries, and competing priorities can suffocate the desire to trust in Christ and prioritize spiritual matters.

d. Good Soil: The goal is for individuals to be like the good soil, receptive and open to the gospel message. Good soil represents hearts that are willing to listen, understand, and cultivate a lasting relationship with God through Jesus Christ. These individuals are willing to turn and trust in the gospel, allowing it to take deep root in their lives.

Recognizing these different types of “soil” can help us understand how to highlight and exhort the listener to turn from the barriers in their life.

With just a piece of paper and a pen, you can help others understand the fundamental concepts of sin, brokenness, and salvation.

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Little Shoots, Deep Roots

Simplified Family Faith with Christie Thomas

A Gospel Presentation For Kids…In Just 3 Verses

By Christie Thomas 7 Comments

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Use this simple gospel presentation for kids or adults. It is more compelling to children than many other gospel presentations for kids because of the rich visual imagery of the Kingdom of God. 

I was sitting in the first row in my Invertebrates class at University, waiting for it to start. I have no idea why I sat in the front that day, normally being a back-row sitter. It must have been the fascinating subject material…I mean, jellyfish and crustaceans would certainly keep anyone on the edge of their seat. ?

My lab partner (always a front-row sitter) came and sat next to me, and we started chatting. I don’t recall the subject of our discussion, except that she suddenly asked me THE question…

“What do Christians believe anyway?”

My heart stuttered, my mouth went dry. I had been a Christian most of my life, why was I suddenly panicking? I hastily drew a bridge on my notebook and fumbled through the “ bridge illustration ” with her, but class was about to start. I’m pretty sure I told the whole thing in less than a minute (once I actually got started).

Has this ever happened to you? Maybe your kids have asked, or maybe you were never really sure in the first place. Can you share the gospel confidently with a friend? How about with your child?

I can now, and that’s partly due to maturity and partly because I know the Bible better. I’ve become convinced that the bridge illustration is lacking in the robust depth of the full gospel; the gospel isn’t just hell insurance to get us on the right side of eternity after death.

God has so much more to offer than just a place to go after we die. In fact, in the Bible, it is called “ abundant life “. Doesn’t that sound amazing? Doesn’t it sound like something we want to invite our friends, our children, even our enemies into? Abundant life starts the moment we invite Christ to be the center of our lives.

What follows is a simple set of 3 verses that I feel create a beautiful image of the full gospel. 

I have printed off the verse images as posters that hang on the wall in each of my child’s bedrooms so I can remind them of the gospel on a regular basis. 

The verses in themselves are enough, but to better understand them, I’ve included a few sentences to explain each one a little deeper. Included in each short section are emojis to help with recall. ?

Alright, let’s get into the gospel presentation for kids! If you want to download the printable version, include 8×11-sized images, go here.

God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ dies for us. (Romans 5:8)

❤❤❤ God is perfect and beautiful. Out of His perfect and beautiful love, He created this entire world to be perfect and beautiful, and He created you and me to be perfect and beautiful.

? The tragedy is that our whole world got broken in half by sin (which is all the things that are broken and ugly). Sin is why we have bullies and wars and sadness. It is also why you and I have such a hard time making good choices: we are sinners. Our perfection and beauty was broken by sin. The consequence of sin is death and separation from God in a world that is dark and full of pain.

❌Our brokenness creates a huge wall as high as the stars and as deep as the sea between us and God because if our perfect and beautiful God were to join us in our broken ugliness, He would no longer be God.

✞ But even before the world got broken in half, God had a plan. He would send His Son, Jesus Christ, to take all the consequences for our sins on Himself. The consequence that Jesus took was death on a cross. Because Jesus is both God and human, He could do that for us.

He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13)

? As sinners, we live in the dominion of darkness. In the shadows, we think our broken ugliness is actually perfect beauty, but it’s not what we were created to be.

?Jesus’ death made a doorway in that great wall on the edge of the dominion of darkness, and because of His resurrection, His return to life, He helps you walk through the door.

? On the other side of that wall is the incredible kingdom of God. In this place you are given a freedom you did nothing to deserve, which is called redemption. You are forgiven and made clean. When God looks at you now, He looks at you through Jesus, and all He sees is 100% perfect beauty.

If Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. (Romans 8:10)

?Not only are you made clean, but the Spirit of Christ comes to live in you.

??The Holy Spirit gives you power to live in a way that honors God, to become the perfect and beautiful person He created you to be. This is the abundant life.

❤?When you live His way, you get to show off His perfect and beautiful love to the rest of the world, helping to restore it to become the perfect and beautiful place it was made to be.

❤❤❤Then, when your body is ready to completely die, your life will continue in heaven, in the arms of your perfect and beautiful God.

This is an excellent gospel message for children AND adults. In fact, each of my 3 boys has these three verses posted on their walls so I can read it over them once in a while. 

To download this full gospel presentation for kids (and a second one: the gospel colors), click here or on the picture below. 

Reader Interactions

March 26, 2017 at 9:33 pm

March 26, 2017 at 10:55 pm

Thank you Jody! I take credit only for the words, not the ideas. 😉

April 18, 2017 at 3:54 pm

I loved it!!!!

December 21, 2017 at 10:16 am

Thank you for sharing. I enjoyed it so much!!!

December 30, 2017 at 1:34 pm

I love the added emojis ❤️

February 14, 2023 at 7:44 am

To God Be the Glory !! This was a lovely experience, I will be back.

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Gospel presentations

A gospel presentation is a method used to share the message of salvation found in the Bible. The goal is to clearly explain humanity’s need for a Savior and God’s provision through Jesus Christ. There are several key elements that should be included in an effective gospel presentation.

Humanity’s Sin Problem

In order to understand our need for a Savior, we first have to grasp the seriousness of sin. The Bible teaches that all people are sinners (Romans 3:23) and that sin leads to death and separation from God (Romans 6:23). Sin is not just making mistakes or failing to meet God’s standards – it is open rebellion against our Creator. From birth, human nature is bent toward sin (Psalm 51:5).

The Old Testament law demonstrates that no one is able to perfectly obey God’s commands. The Ten Commandments were given to show people their inability to live up to God’s standards on their own (Romans 3:20). Even if someone keeps the outward requirements, God also looks at the heart and motives (1 Samuel 16:7). Sin is a heart issue, not just external actions.

The Bible describes sin as foolish rebellion (1 Samuel 15:22-23), going our own way (Isaiah 53:6), exchanging God’s truth for a lie (Romans 1:25), and suppressing what is known about God (Romans 1:18). We are enslaved to various passions and pleasures (Titus 3:3). Sin leads to more sin, and the consequences affect our relationships with God and others (Genesis 3).

Some people minimize sin by comparing themselves to others or excusing certain behaviors that seem socially acceptable. However, God’s standard is perfection as demonstrated by His moral law (James 2:10). Even one sin makes us guilty before a holy God (Romans 3:10, 23). The gospel presentation should impress upon listeners the seriousness of sin and the inability in our own strength to make ourselves acceptable to God.

God’s Judgment for Sin

The Bible clearly states that God is just and must punish sin. His eyes are too pure to look upon evil (Habakkuk 1:13). As the universal Judge, God cannot simply overlook wrongdoing or clear the guilty (Exodus 34:7). His righteous nature demands that He deal with sin.

God’s judgment for sin is eternal separation from Him. The punishment is conscious existence in hell (Luke 16:19-31; Revelation 20:11-15). This is variously described as eternal fire, darkness, and torment. It is not temporary or annihilation but lasts forever. God does not send people to hell arbitrarily, but always as just payment for unforgiven sins.

The gospel presentation must include a warning about future judgment. The reality of hell should create a sense of urgency about taking the message of salvation seriously. God does not want anyone to face eternal punishment, but desires for all to repent (2 Peter 3:9). However, He will not force anyone to accept His offer of forgiveness.

God’s Love and Mercy

Though God must punish sin, He is also rich in mercy and desires to forgive (Ephesians 2:4-5). Even in the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve sinned, God provided a glimpse of a Savior (Genesis 3:15). His plan of redemption is ultimately for His glory and human good.

God demonstrated His love by sending His own Son to pay sin’s penalty (John 3:16; 1 John 4:10). Jesus willingly took on human flesh, lived a sinless life, and died on the cross for our sins (Philippians 2:5-8; 2 Corinthians 5:21). His death satisfied God’s wrath toward sin (1 John 2:2). But the story doesn’t end there! Jesus also bodily rose from the grave, conquering sin and death forever (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

The gospel (“good news”) is that God Himself made a way for people to be forgiven and escape punishment for sin. Salvation is not earned by good works but is a free gift of God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). The gospel presentation should focus heavily on God’s mercy and love for humanity.

Our Response – Repentance and Faith

For individuals to benefit from Christ’s death, they must respond in repentance and faith. Repentance means agreeing with God about sin – recognizing it as wrong and hating it rather than defending or excusing it (Psalm 51:3-4; 2 Corinthians 7:9-10). True repentance will result in changed thinking and behavior as the Holy Spirit begins conforming a believer into Christ’s image (Romans 8:29).

Saving faith goes beyond mental agreement to trusting personally in Jesus Christ. Mere intellectual assent is not enough. We must rely on Christ’s sacrifice on the cross as the payment for our sins. Saving faith is more than beliefs – it is transferring trust from ourselves to Jesus alone for salvation (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9).

A gospel presentation must include a call to action. Unbelievers should be urged to turn from sin and embrace Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (Acts 20:20-21). This response is illustrated by the father of the demon-possessed boy who cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). We must acknowledge our inability to save ourselves and cling to Christ in faith.

Assurance of Salvation

An effective gospel presentation will assure listeners that upon repenting and believing they can be guaranteed eternal life with God. Jesus promised that all who come to Him would not be turned away (John 6:37). God gives the Holy Spirit as a promised deposit of salvation for believers (Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22).

Numerous verses declare the certainty of salvation for those who accept God’s free offer in Christ (John 3:16; John 10:27-29; Romans 8:1; Romans 8:38-39). Believers do not have to doubt their standing before God. Scripture encourages assurance without presumption for those who have genuinely trusted Christ.

However, true saving faith will be evidenced by a changed life – what the Bible calls bearing fruit (Luke 3:8-14; Matthew 7:15-20). Behavior will not be perfect, but there will be spiritual growth as the Holy Spirit works in believers (Philippians 1:6; Philippians 2:12-13). The gospel presentation should make the biblical connection between faith and works clear.

Elements of a Gospel Presentation

While there are many creative ways to share the gospel message, certain key elements should be included to communicate the full story of salvation:

• Humanity’s universal sin problem
• Coming judgment and wrath toward sin
• Christ’s atoning sacrifice for sin on the cross
• Resurrection proving Christ’s power over death
• Call for repentance from sin and faith in Christ
• Promise of forgiveness and eternal life for believers
• Assurance of salvation based on God’s grace

The order of presentation may vary, but each part builds a complete biblical picture. Leaving out key aspects can lead to misunderstanding about the specific requirements for salvation prescribed in Scripture.

Methods of Presenting the Gospel Message

While the essential content remains the same, there are many creative ways to communicate the gospel. Different approaches may appeal to various learning styles or populations. Methods like the following can be effective when used sensitively:

• Tracts – Brief printed outlines condensing the message of salvation.
• Illustrations – Word pictures, diagrams, or other visual representations.
• Scripture verses – Strategically selected salvation passages.
• Your personal testimony – How Christ changed your life.
• Movies/media clips – Scenes illustrating the human dilemma.
• Object lessons – Physical props teaching spiritual truths.
• Focus on God’s attributes – His mercy, righteousness, etc.
• Historical accounts – OT sacrificial system or Passover.

Even without using words, actions can communicate essentials of the gospel. For example, paying a penalty or removing a burden can illustrate Christ’s substitutionary death. Ultimately, the Holy Spirit must open hearts to receive the message of salvation in any form.

Common Questions in Gospel Conversations

Skill in presenting the gospel also involves being able to interact with common questions that may arise in conversations. Being able to answer objections biblically and concisely keeps the focus on the primary message of salvation. Here are some frequent issues to be prepared to address gently and lovingly:

• What about people who never hear about Jesus? The just Judge of all the earth will do what is right (Genesis 18:25). Our task is to tell the gospel to as many as possible.
• Why didn’t God just forgive without Jesus’ death? His righteousness requires justice and payment for sins (Exodus 34:7). There is no forgiveness without the shedding of blood (Hebrews 9:22).
• Isn’t Jesus just a good teacher? He made unique claims to be God and the only Savior (John 10:30; John 14:6). He must be a liar, lunatic, or Lord as He said.
• How can God allow suffering in the world? All pain is ultimately a result of sin. But God uses suffering to draw people to eternal priorities.
• What about those who seem to live good lives? Outward behavior may mask sinful hearts. All fall short of God’s standards (Romans 3:23).
• Isn’t Christianity just a crutch for weak people? All people face weakness; the real issue is where one places dependence – self or Christ.

Asking clarifying questions can help identify obstacles preventing people from accepting the truths of the gospel. Patient dialogue shows compassion and models Christ’s example of preaching hard teachings in a gracious manner.

How Scripture Shares the Gospel Message

The content for an effective gospel presentation is drawn directly from the Bible itself. Observing how Scripture communicates the story of redemption Equips Christians to share accurately and with conviction from God’s Word.

In the Gospels, Jesus interacted with individuals at their point of need. He knew Nicodemus needed new birth (John 3), the Samaritan woman living water (John 4), and Zacchaeus freedom from greed (Luke 19). Each gospel writer portrays Christ’s identity as the Savior in a distinct way.

Peter’s first sermon after Pentecost includes all the major gospel elements (Acts 2). Paul’s presentation varies in different contexts – from Jewish synagogues (Acts 13) to Athenian intellectuals (Acts 17). His epistles expound profoundly on justification by faith.

Genesis introduces the need for redemption after the fall. Leviticus illustrates atonement through shed blood. Isaiah 53 and other passages prophesy a suffering Savior. Gospels declare fulfillment of these promises. Epistles apply gospel truths to Christian living. Revelation depicts the consummation of Christ’s victory.

Familiarity with gospel themes equips Christians to explain the message of salvation from all of Scripture. Reliance on isolated proof texts or canned presentations alone may fail to communicate the breadth of God’s redemptive plan revealed throughout His Word.

Pitfalls to Avoid

While we should always speak biblical truth in love, some approaches to presenting the gospel can inadvertently undermine the core message of salvation:

• Minimizing or soft-pedaling the reality of God’s coming judgment
• Implying salvation is earned by living a good life
• Neglecting the resurrection which proves Christ’s deity
• Focusing only on happiness in this life versus eternal peace
• Making gospel sharing merely formulaic, not Spirit-led
• Forcing premature decisions for salvation without counting the cost
• Failing to call for true repentance from specific sins
• Neglecting to assure believers of their eternal security in Christ

Gospel presentations must remain faithful to Scripture rather than adjusting the message to avoid offense (1 Corinthians 1:18-25). At the same time, we should speak God’s truth in ways our listeners can understand – with clarity, empathy, and sincere concern for their well-being.

The Importance of Gospel Proclamation

Declaring Christ’s offer of salvation should be the urgent priority of every believer and local church. Gospel proclamation in both word and deed reflects God’s heart for all people to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9; Matthew 5:16).

Faithful gospel preaching requires dependence on the Holy Spirit to empower and use our words. As Christ’s witnesses, we merely communicate what He has said and done to rescue rebellious sinners. The results are in God’s hands as only He can open blind eyes and draw unbelievers to Himself (John 6:44).

Gospel presentations in the context of relationships demonstrate Christlike compassion. We plead with people to be reconciled to God as His ambassadors, just as though God were making His appeal through us (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Both individual believers and churches will be judged according to our faithfulness in taking the gospel to those who have never heard (Romans 2:16). Strategies for saturating communities and reaching unreached people groups are needed to complete Christ’s Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).

As recipients of God’s gracious offer of salvation, we long for others to experience the same redemptive blessings. Gospel proclamation honors God’s passion for the lost and most clearly displays His glory in vessels of clay (2 Corinthians 4:7).

Keep Reading

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EvangelismCoach.org

How to Practice a Gospel Presentation

This entry is part 1 of 9 in the series Gospel Scripts

In our personal evangelism seminars, I have found that most participants have heard of a particular gospel script and think they know how to use it.

In fact, if you are an evangelism trainer , you can use this exercise to help the audience discover that they need to work on knowing a gospel presentation.

I want to give you a practice exercise I use in my evangelism training workshops .  I help people realize they might night be prepared when given an opportunity at a random moment in life .

The practice I use

You can do the same.

First, use a whiteboard.

Draw the pictures and go through the script as if you are with a live person.

Second, get them to do it in groups.

ask participants to break up into groups of two, and share the gospel via a Bridge Illustration (or their own favorite) with their partner.

You’ll hear a collective gasp in the room as the audience suddenly panics.

I’ve been doing this for nearly 10 years and it happens every time.

People will feel awkward and a little disoriented, but they will try it.

Third, debrief the experience

After a while, coach through the process and debrief the exercise together and they will have seen that they may not be prepared for those random evangelism conversations that happen during the ordinary course of life.

“I thought I knew how”

This hands on experience reveals to most participants that they don’t really know how to present the Bridge Illustration, nor are they initially comfortable with the script.

This practical group exercise

• Helps you practice your presentation
• Reveals gaps in your own understanding
• Increases comfort when the kairos moment comes.
• Reveals your use of Christianeese (words that only make sense to Christians).

Consider this

• Have you picked a gospel script to use as your default setting?
• Are you so familiar with it that you can go through it with ease and flexibility?

Find a good friend and ask permission to practice going through your default setting.

• Where do you need to improve your presentation?
• What Christianeese do you need to remove?
• What was clear as mud?
• What was clear as crystal?
• What part do you need to remember more clearly?

If you speak with a non-Christian, let them know you are practicing — that helps alleviate some of the inherent tension in a religious conversation.

God can still use it however in bringing a person to faith, but you’ve shared your motive ahead of time with some integrity.

Do you need help in Personal Evangelism?

In this 70 minute MP3 AUDIO recording on personal evangelism you will learn:

• How church invitations are part of evangelism
• How to discover and share your own journey to faith
• What you can say about the gospel message.
• How to personally lead someone to faith in Christ.

It’s a 70 minute audio file that takes just a few minutes to download, but it may help you answer the question:

What can you do in the next 90 days to grow in your evangelism skills?

You might like to read . . .

• You want me to explain the gospel?
• How I used the Bridge Illustration with a Youth Group
• 6 Different Gospel Presentations for Personal Evangelism
• Video: Dr. Michael Green examines What is the gospel
• Scripted Evangelism Conversations
• The Big Story - Improving the Bridge Illustration
• How to Use the Bridge Illustration

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The Bridge to Life

This tried-and-true resource gives you the Bible verses to explain why we need Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross to solve our greatest problem: separation from God. When you’re not sure if friends have surrendered their lives to Christ yet, this is a great way to help them make that decision.

The Bridge to Life illustration is a tried-and-true resource that gives you Bible verses to explain why we need Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross to solve our greatest problem – separation from God.

When you’re not sure if friends have surrendered their lives to Christ yet, this is a great way to help them make that decision.

Draw this simple diagram on a piece of paper to walk someone through the gospel step-by-step. It helps to have the verses handy, bookmarked in a Bible or Bible app. The numbers show you the order in which to share.

The Bridge Step 1: God

[Draw the horizontal line on the right side with “GOD” above it, then add the verses and bullets underneath the line as you share them]

God created us with purpose, to be in relationship with Him and to enjoy all the fullness of life with Him.

• What does God desire you to know in the first part of the verse? (God loves us)
• What does the last line say God wants you to have? (God wants to give us eternal life)
• What type of life does Jesus want to give you on earth? (Abundant life)
• What do you think would be some inner characteristics of this full, abundant life that Jesus wants to give you? (Purpose, impact, meaning, peace, joy, love & acceptance)
• Do you think everyone you know is experiencing this abundant life? Let’s see what the Bible says about what prevents it.

The Bridge Step 2: Our Problem

[Draw the horizontal line on the left side with “OUR PROBLEM” above it]

We have a problem we can’t fix on our own.

Romans 3:23

• What is humanity’s problem? (All have sinned)
• What is sin? (Like an arrow missing its target, we fall short of God’s intent for us. All of us have done what we should not do and left undone what we should have done.)
• What is the result of sin? (Separation from God) [Draw two vertical lines to make a chasm]

Romans 6:23

• Wages are what we earn by our actions. What do we earn by our sin? (Death)
• There are two types of death. What are they? (Physical and Spiritual)

Our sin separates us from God for eternity unless somehow we are released from paying the price for it.

Hebrews 9:27

• What happens after we die? (We face judgment for the sin we commit)
• This looks bleak for us. What are some ways you or others you know have tried to get to God’s side? (Going to church, praying, helping people)

God sees the hopeless situation we’re in and provides a way out.

Ephesians 2:8-9

• Can our best efforts bridge the separation between us and God? (No, we are saved by grace, which is unmerited love. Good works = not enough)

The Bridge Step 3: God’s Solution

[Draw the Cross]

We can’t build a bridge to God, but Jesus Christ is God’s bridge to us.

• How did God show He loves us even though we’re sinners? (Jesus died for us to pay the penalty for our sin)

1 Peter 3:18

• Why is Jesus dying on the Cross and rising again such good news for us? (It allows us to be with God now on Earth and forever in Heaven because Jesus conquered both our sin and death by dying and rising again. That is the Christian gospel!)

The Bridge Step 4: Our Response

Each of us needs to respond to what god is offering us..

• How does one become a child of God? (By believing and receiving Jesus, trusting in his sacrifice as the payment for your own personal sin.)

Revelation 3:20

• What is Jesus trying to show here, when he offers to come in and eat with us? (That he longs to have a personal relationship with us)

Accept Jesus, Which is as Simple as A-B-C

Admit that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and ask God to forgive you and help you turn from sin.

Believe Jesus died for you and rose again, conquering sin and death.

Commit your life to following Jesus, putting your total trust in Him and giving Him decision-making authority as Lord of your life.

Talk to Jesus Right Now

You can talk to Jesus right now to receive him. You can repeat after me or put this in your own words:

“Father God, I know that I am a sinner and that I need you to forgive me. I know that your son Jesus died a painful death and rose again so that my sins could be washed clean. Thank you. I want to make you the Lord of my life, and I will trust and follow You. Everything I have is yours now. In the name of Jesus, amen.”

The Adventure Ahead

Now that we’re restored in our relationship, we get to join him in the restoration of all things on Earth that are broken and damaged by sin! This includes helping your friends have a relationship with Jesus, bringing justice where there is injustice, healing where there is pain, and hope where there is despair.

The Bridge to Life ©1976 The Navigators, all rights reserved.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Download & Share the Bridge to Life

Download a free print friendly PDF of the Bridge to Life to pass along, or purchase booklets directly from our NavPress.com .

Navigator Discipleship Tools are designed for sharing with your Bible study, church group, and those you are discipling.

Additional Languages

The Bridge to Life is also available in the following languages:

• Chinese (Simplified): 神的礼物-永生
• Chinese (Traditional): 神的礼物-永生
• Korean: 하나님의 선물인 영생(큰글) / 생명의 다리
• Spanish: La ilustración del puente

Was this helpful?

How can I order paper bridge tracts to use in street evangelism.

You may purchases the Bridge to Life booklets in packs of 25 from our NavPress store at https://www.navpress.com/p/bridge-to-life-green-25-pack/9781641583251 .

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Hello! I love your work. I'm a deployed Army chaplain in Iraq decorating my office with what I hope will be conversation starters toward the gospel.

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This wonderful book will help you get your mind around the entirety of the Bible (and its impact on human history) through easy-to-access while theologically-reliable pictures and graphs. Whether you are Bible beginner or a seasoned teacher, you’ll find this book helpful in placing each story in the context of the larger one. The Bible is truly an amazing, God-inspired book, and Visual Theology puts its wonder on full display!

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Tim Challies (the writer) and Josh Byers (the designer) have teamed up to produce a truly unique introduction to theology and guide to living the Christian life. This is show-and-tell at its finest. Most theology books merely convey what we are to believe, but this one uses creative and beautiful design to capture and portray these crucial truths. I know of nothing else quite like it, and I trust that God will use it to help his people see and celebrate reality in a new way.

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How to Share the Gospel Effectively For Your Audience

One night I was walking through downtown Orlando with my friends on our way to a restaurant. It was a weekend, so the sidewalks were full of people dressed up for a night out at their favorite bars and clubs. As we crossed Pine Street, a man with a megaphone started shouting at us, telling us to repent, that we were sinning and needed to come to Jesus or burn. When we passed by, he turned his megaphone to the next approaching group and yelled at them.

There was no attempt at conversation, no desire to get to know us or hear our stories. He wasn’t talking with us; he was talking at us. He had the right message — that we’re all sinners and need a relationship with Jesus to be saved — but the wrong delivery. His approach didn’t make people want to listen. To be honest, I was embarrassed and hoped my friends didn’t think he represented all Christians.

The man with the megaphone means well. He wouldn’t spend his free time standing on the street if he didn’t care about the people he was trying to reach. But he doesn’t understand how to make the Gospel appeal to his audience.

Most of us don’t stand on the street corners with megaphones yelling at people, but do we follow the same tactic? Nabeel Qureshi was a Pakistani-American who grew up a devout Muslim before converting to Christianity. In his book Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus , Nabeel talks about how turned off he was by the way most Christians talked about their faith:

Unfortunately, I have found that many Christians think of evangelism [as] foisting Christian beliefs on strangers in chance encounters. The problem with this approach is that the Gospel requires a radical life change, and not many people are about to listen to strangers telling them to change the way they live. What do they know about others’ lives? On the other hand, if a true friend shares the exact same message with heartfelt sincerity, speaking to specific circumstances and struggles, then the message is heard loud and clear. Nabeel Qureshi

Nabeel eventually came to change his beliefs and accept Jesus as savior after becoming best friends with a Christian and having faith conversations together over a period of several years. “Effective evangelism requires relationships,” Nabeel writes. “There are very few exceptions.”

How people want you to talk about Jesus

While leading the City ministry of Cru, Charmaine Lillestrand conducted audience research to find out what non-Christians are interested in discussing with Christians. They don’t want to talk about the church, the core tenets of Christianity, or Christian stances on hot-button topics like abortion. They do want to talk about Jesus, but only if the conversation is handled a certain way.

In an article for the MissionHub blog, Charmaine lays out five behaviors that people want you to have if you’re going to have a faith conversation with them.

Be fully present.

Don’t make a speech. Don’t memorize a Gospel presentation and lay out your facts without thinking about the other person. Treat it like a normal conversation. Listen to what your friend has to say. Follow the conversation naturally and listen with empathy.

Find common ground.

What are the things you and your friend have in common? If you don’t know, a good way to start the conversation is to find out. Use your common beliefs and values to build a relational bridge.

Walk in the other person’s shoes.

Every person has a story and every story matters to God. Do you know your friend’s story? Don’t assume you do. Ask about her story and hear it straight from her. Listen with empathy as you try to understand your friend — what are her struggles, what brings her joy? How can God use you to speak to those specific issues?

Talk like a real person.

We use a lot of “Christianese,” terms that make sense to us but mean nothing to those who are not in the faith. Things like “doing life together” and “fellowship” sound weird to your friends, but they might get the gist of what you’re saying. If you start talking about “the Great Commission” or “the Body of Christ,” you’ll definitely lose her. She has no idea what those terms mean.

The same goes for terms that are actually real words but not easy to understand, such as defining God as “omniscient” or “omnipresent.” Even if she understands what those words mean, it’s hard to wrap your head around the concept if you’re not part of the church. You don’t want your friend to feel stupid or confused, so be aware of terms that wouldn’t make sense and avoid them.

Create a better story.

Most of the people interviewed understand that a decision needs to be made about weather or not to follow Christ. What they don’t understand is why it would be worth it. This is where your testimony comes in. You should be able to share what it’s like following Jesus, how your life has changed, and what it’s like to have an ongoing relationship with God.

If you do those five things, your friend will be much more open to having a faith conversation with you.

Knowing your audience

One of the reasons the guy with the megaphone was ineffective was because he didn’t know his audience. In fact, he didn’t even try to. If you’re sharing something on social media without thinking about the people who will see it, you’re sharing like Megaphone Guy. If you’re walking up to strangers on campus and giving them all the same Gospel presentation, you’re acting like Megaphone Guy. For any message to be successful, it must be tailored to the audience. The Gospel message is no different.

In marketing, personas are used to help understand a target audience. Personas are basically fictional characters who communicate the primary characteristics of your audience. You can use our Persona Creation Kit to craft personas of the people you want to reach. If we’re talking about your friends, you don’t necessarily need to create elaborate personas, but at a minimum, you need to ask a few questions:

• What do they care about?
• What are their interests?
• What motivates them?
• What is their current understanding of /relationship with Christianity?

If you can answer those basic questions about your friends, you can do a much better job of sharing the Gospel in a way that speaks to them.

Barriers to faith

Some people will accept Jesus as savior the first time you share the Gospel with them. Most won’t. That’s because most people have barriers to faith that must be addressed. Author and attorney Anna Rapa recently made a video series for Indigitous explaining the three primary barriers to faith and how to combat them.

Rational barriers

Someone with rational barriers to faith has barriers “based on intellect or logical discussion,” Anna says. They have rational questions about Christianity and need rational answers. Gospel presentations like the Four Spiritual Laws and books on apologetics like Josh McDowell’s More Than a Carpenter address these barriers well.

Spiritual barriers

People with spiritual barriers don’t want to give up control and rely on God. They don’t want to admit that they’re lacking and need anyone. A good rational argument for Christianity won’t help with such a person, because their barrier is spiritual. “It takes a work of the Holy Spirit to put us in a position where we’re ready to accept that God does for us what we’d prefer to do ourselves,” Anna says. Prayer is the best thing you can do for someone with spiritual barriers to faith.

Emotional barriers

A person may have an emotional barrier to faith because they were hurt by their former church. Or maybe they’ve felt judged by Christians in their life and feel that nothing they do can be acceptable to such a judgmental God. For some, the concept of hell could be an emotional barrier; they can’t imagine following a God who would damn their friends and family just because of their beliefs.

To overcome emotional barriers , your Gospel message needs to be authentic and vulnerable. Be honest about what your life is like, let them into your own life and your own struggles. And most of all, it takes time. Emotional barriers can only be overcome over time through an authentic relationship.

How to present the Gospel

Eventually in your conversations there will come a time to actually explain the Gospel, to explain what the Good News of Jesus is. But how do you explain it?

How do you think of the Gospel message? Is it about how we are all guilty of sin and must be forgiven by God? Or is it about we have dishonored God by seeking our own glory and must turn away from seeking our own honor and trust God? The answer depends on your culture.

The Gospel message is the same in either case, but it’s framed in different language to speak to different cultures. If you’re speaking to someone from an honor/shame culture, you can use a tool like the Honor Restored Gospel presentation in your conversations. If you’re speaking to someone from a guilt/innocence culture, you can use a tool like the Four Spiritual Laws. The GodTools app puts both of them at your fingertips.

The medium: Where to share the Gospel

Sarah, a young woman in the Middle East, loved Facebook. It’s where she went for escapism, living vicariously through her friends. Her own life was a mess. She had been forced to marry a man who was a member of a terrorist group. Her husband treated her like property and wanted to use her to recruit more fighters to the group.

In her country, there are no churches; no stores carry Bibles. But one day when she was scrolling Facebook, she saw a post that mentioned God — not the one her husband claimed to follow, but a God who loves her just as she is. She started chatting with a man on Messenger, who introduced her to Jesus and explained the Gospel. Over time, she came to accept Jesus as her savior, borrowed some money, and fled the country to live somewhere where she can safely live out her new Christian faith.

Facebook was the perfect place to reach Sarah because she could only be reached online, and Facebook happened to be where she liked to hang out.

The best medium for your Gospel message depends on your audience. Think back to your persona. For the person you’re trying to reach, how does she like to communicate? How does she spend her time?

A social media pastor

Dave Adamson is the Social Media Pastor for Northpoint Ministries, a church in Atlanta, Georgia. His job is to teach the Gospel on social media. “Whenever I tell people that I’m a social media pastor and that I use platforms like YouTube and Instagram to teach the Bible, I always get weird looks,” Dave says. But to him, being a pastor means reaching people wherever they are, and where they are is on social media.

Through Instagram Stories and Reels, YouTube videos, and more, much of Dave’s audience is able to engage with the Gospel without ever setting foot in his Atlanta church. “If the current coronavirus pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that teaching the Bible in person is just one of the tools at our disposal.”

In her book From Social Media to Social Ministry , author Nona Jones suggests that every church have a social media campus with its own pastor and staff. The goal of the social campus is not just to keep people engaged from Monday through Saturday, but also to reach the people who never come to the physical church building on Sunday. “Dying churches see their target population as the people in their pews. Thriving churches see their target population as everyone else,” Nona writes.

As a Christian, you’re part of the global Church. Have you ever thought about being an unofficial social media pastor? Could you be the person that someone like Sarah meets on Facebook? Being active on social media with a message of love and hope can have a profound impact. It can even save someone’s life.

A life saved on WhatsApp

Baako wasn’t searching for God when he received a WhatsApp message that would change his life. The WhatsApp message was part of a campaign by a student ministry in Ghana to reach students using clips from the JESUS film and the Walking with Jesus series.

During follow-up discussions with a missionary, Baako asked if there are any videos on suicide. “For the past four years, I have been contemplating suicide,” he said. The missionary and volunteers continued to exchange messages with Baako, who came to accept Jesus as savior. He later said that it was only those conversations that prevented him from committing suicide at the time.

Eventually, ministry volunteers were able to visit Baako and go through the Walking with Jesus series, answering his questions and helping him grow in his new faith. Feeling more assured of his salvation in Christ, Baako has joined a local church and plans to get baptized.

Communicating without arguing

Unfortunately, social media communication can very easily get toxic. Have you ever looked at the comments under a YouTube video? Even been part of a flame war in a forum or Twitter thread? Even when my favorite baseball team wins a game, most of the comments under the team’s post are of fans criticizing the one or two players who hadn’t played well. For whatever reason, social media tends to bring out the negativity in people.

If you’re going to share the Gospel on social media, don’t let it turn into an argument that you have to win. This isn’t about winning. Again, remember the importance of listening with empathy, understanding your audience, and overcoming barriers to faith. All of those apply on Facebook, too.

If you post about the Gospel on social media, people are going to disagree with you. People are going to criticize, say you’re wrong, argue with you, and perhaps even purposely offend you. But as a Christian called to reflect the person of Jesus, you must remain above that. In From Social Media to Social Ministry , Nona provides the following advice:

No matter how astute your theology is, Jesus says it isn’t your intellectual prowess that will convince people of your faith. It isn’t even a perfect attendance record at church every weekend. The one thing that will reveal us as followers of Jesus Christ, according to him, is our love for one another. Nona Jones

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The gospel of Jesus Christ is the most profound reality of life. Sharing it with someone can be as simple as drawing three circles.

Discover how you can share the gospel with anyone.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the most profound reality of life. But sharing it with someone can be as simple as three circles. Discover how you can share the gospel with anyone.

Need a quick and simple way to evangelize?

The Life on Mission mobile app provides an effective way to share the gospel with someone using simple tools, like 3 Circles or Best News, to make the most out of every opportunity.

Share your faith on the go!

Download the Life on Mission app Available in English & Spanish

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A Life Changed by 3 Circles

You don’t have to hit complete rock bottom to have an amazing testimony of how the gospel of Jesus Christ can transform your life.

Students Share 3 Circles

Hundreds of students across North America are showing they’re not ashamed to be bold about who Jesus is in their lives and how the gospel can change others’ lives.

3 Circles Presentation

Jimmy Scroggins, pastor and creator of the 3 Circles, walks through the tool from beginning to end. Watch and learn how you can share the gospel with anyone.

Presentación muestra de la herramienta "3 círculos"

Gilberto Corredera, pastor de Prestonwood en Español, explica los 3 círculos paso a paso desde el principio hasta el final. Mira para aprender cómo puedes compartir el evangelio con cualquier persona.

3 Circles Evangelism Kit

The 3 Circles Evangelism Kit is designed to assist pastors in leading a multi-week evangelism emphasis for their church. The kit includes a trainer guide and a trainee guide for small group discussion, a pack of Living on Mission gospel tracts, a flash drive loaded with an overview for the pastor, sermon resources, videos and more.

Conversation Guide

The 3 Circles Life Conversation Guide is a short training booklet that explains the gospel clearly so that you can train your congregation how to share their faith. Available in English, Spanish or Mandarin.

Gospel Presentation Videos for Kids

The most important message kids will ever hear is the gospel..

With the help of these videos, every leader in your ministry can confidently share the gospel message with kids.

Each video presents the gospel to kids in a simple and straightforward way. You may choose any video you like and watch with your kids or use it to train your leaders.

Free Resources

The Gospel God's Plan for Us | Script for Gospel Presentation | Script for Gospel Presentation

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The gospel project, bible studies for life, explore the bible.

5 Fun Ways to Share the Gospel with Kids

Child evangelism can be fun!

Sharing the Gospel with kids can be fun! Try these five simple ideas to engage kids with the message of Christ.

1. Sharing the Gospel through a Game – Gospel Plane

The Wordless Book is a popular Gospel presentation tool because it is extremely easy to use and very effective in communicating the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Folding and flying paper airplanes is popular activity that children enjoy.

Why not marry the two, and fold airplanes using papers with colors of the Wordless Book? After having fun folding and flying airplanes with kids, you can talk to them about the one special place that is far better than any holiday destination in the world that an airplane can take them!

Download templates and detailed instructions , as well as the script for sharing the Gospel using the Wordless Book.

2. Sharing the Gospel through a Science Experiment – Cleansing Power of Jesus!

Illustrate the cleansing power of Jesus with this simple science experiment.

Fill half a water jug with clean water – this water represents us.

Add a few drops of food coloring into the water – this represents sin in our lives.

Slowly pour liquid bleach into the water jug; the water should become clear again – In the same way that bleach cleans the stained water, when we accept Jesus into our lives, Jesus has the power to remove the stains from our hearts and make our hearts clean!  

3. Sharing the Gospel through Magic – String Magic

Take a piece of string about 5-6 feet long. Tie the 2 ends together to form a loop. You can use this string to perform a magic trick with the help of a child, and at the same time illustrate that sin entangles us and we need Jesus to free us.

Get detailed instructions and the script .

4. Sharing the Gospel through Objects – Lego Bricks

Lego is a classic toy that many children enjoy. You can have a fun time playing with Lego bricks together with kids. For your Gospel presentation, simply assemble various objects using Lego bricks and share the Gospel message using the same points the Wordless Book:

• Use yellow bricks to make a house – this represents heaven.
• Use black bricks to make a heart – this represents sin.
• Use red bricks to make a cross – this represents the blood of Jesus.
• Use white bricks to make a heart – this represents a clean heart.
• Use green bricks to make a tree – this represents growth.

5. Sharing the Gospel through a Bonding Activity – Nail Polish

Planning a “lock-in” or sleepover with a group of preteen girls? Enjoy a time of bonding by painting each other’s nails! While you’re at it, why not paint your nails with the colors of the Wordless Book and use this as a conversation starter to share the Gospel message?

More Fun Ways to Share the Gospel with Kids

When Jesus taught His first disciples, He used things they were familiar with, like sheep, fish and bread. The above ideas are just some examples of how we can follow in Jesus’ footsteps by using items that children are familiar with, and things they enjoy, to share with them the Gospel message. With some thought and creativity, the possibilities are endless! For instance…

• Instead of playing with Gospel Planes, you can play with the Wordless Footbags (Hacky Sacks).
• Instead of String Magic, try the Wordless Magic Bag.
• Rather than using Lego bricks, replace with other common objects like balloons or jelly beans.
• Rather than bonding through nail painting, try making Salvation Bracelets together.

If you like these ideas, visit Let the Little Children Come for other creative child evangelism ideas, tools and resources.

The One Thing You Must Get Right to Strengthen your Kidmin

Author Alvin Gan

Alvin Gan is the founder of Let The Little Children Come, and author and creator of various child evangelism tools and resources. He also works for a regional community development organization based in Singapore.

Join the discussion One Comment

[…] this influential experience wonderful and pleasant. Make sure that your volunteers are setup to share the Gospel in fun ways, but also make sure that your check-in process is as positive an experience as possible! Here are a […]

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Evangelism tool review: the story.

The Story is a gospel presentation tool designed by SpreadTruth.com. It is a popular tool for sharing the gospel; half a million people have viewed the gospel presentation online and The Story ESV Bible was published by Crossway in 2013. The Story can be accessed online (at http://viewthestory.com) through an app or via traditional printed tracts.

But is it any good? Well, leave it to us here at 9Marks to criticize the way other people share the gospel. I’ll discuss a few strengths and a few eyebrow-raising issues, then give a bottom line.

1. Biblical theology .  The Story begins at creation and works its way through to the consummation of all things. This is a very good thing. The gospel is a message that comes to us with a context. The Story does a great job with that context.

2. Penal substitution .  The Story gets the heart of the gospel right: on the cross Jesus bore our guilt and the wrath that our sin deserved.  A lot of gospel presentations develop “alligator arms” at this point, so it’s nice to see that clearly presented.

EYEBROW-RAISERS

1. Visuals.  This is the least important quibble, but the pages of the online version of The Story switch back and forth between visual styles in a way that is distracting. Sometimes the colors and bright and the font is crisp, at other points it feels gothic and grim in a way that doesn’t aesthetically connect with what came before it. Just a small peeve, but it feels like a missed opportunity to create something that is visually arresting.

2. Soft-pedaling condemnation .  The way The Story talks about the consequences of sin is less than the full truth. The ultimate consequence of sin, it says, is “eternal separation from a loving God, in terrible misery and unhappiness.” And it refers to hell as a “painful separation.” That’s just not good enough. The Bible teaches that sinners aren’t merely separated from God; they are under his wrath. I fear that by soft-pedaling condemnation, The Story’s presentation of the gospel sells God’s holiness short.

BOTTOM LINE

While I’m grateful that The Story gets the heart of the gospel right and frames the gospel in the biblical narrative, I won’t be switching over to use it. Instead, I’d recommend  Jesus. Who, Why… So What?  or  Two Ways to Live . Both of those resources do a better job communicating the gospel with sharp edges intact.

Mike McKinley is Senior Pastor of Sterling Park Baptist Church in Sterling, Virginia.

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55  comments

How to Share the Gospel With Kids in Six Simple Steps

By   Anna Joy

April 25, 2016

Would you like a simple way to talk to your children about what it means to be saved?

How about a simple way for your kids to tell their friends what it means to be saved?

Would you like a special gift to send home with kids who visit your Sunday School or Awana program?

These fun Salvation Verse Cards are perfect for all of these needs!

These Salvation Verse cards are available in three different Bible translations: English Standard Version, King James Version, and New International Version. 

Download the Salvation Verse Cards in ESV

Download the salvation verse cards in kjv, download the salvation verse cards in niv.

How to Share the Gospel with Kids in Six Simple Steps:

1. We are all sinners. We have all disobeyed God. We must be perfect to please God, and none of us are perfect.

2. We all deserve to be separated from God forever in hell because of our sins.

3. Jesus Christ, God’s own Son, came to earth and lived a perfect life. He is God, so He never sinned, not even once. He didn’t deserve to die, but He chose to die in order to take the punishment for our sins.

4. If we understand that we are sinners and believe in Jesus to take away our sin, we will be saved.

5. Our lives will show that we truly believe in Jesus. We will not be perfect after we get saved. We will still sin. But, our hearts will want to obey God. The Holy Spirit will change our hearts and help us to live lives that please God.

6. We can grow in our spiritual life as we read God’s Word and pray.

How will you use these cards? With your kids at home? In a classroom? I would love to hear how you use them.

May God bless you!

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Bless you and thank you for this precious gift to share the Gospel of Salvation!

I want to lead my grand daughter to the Lord. She is 12 and has been brought up in "Nation of Islam" religion. I have cancer and I want to share with her soon. I have talked to her about the gospel before, but now that she is older, I feel I need to talk to her again.

Appreciated for your great efforts! God Bless

Thank you so much for sharing your material with us. I use it quite often in our children’s ministry and also with our teens.

Thank you so much!

I love your work plus the printable salvation card. By God’s grace I will use them in the children ministry. There is a big gap in country children don’t know God because parents are busy with work. Since I missed it I wouldn’t like any child to miss knowing God at a tender time. I will also need more of your reading material. Thanks

Thank you Ma'am,this is recommendable for schools, churches etc I was blessed studying

I don’t want to be a downer but your salvation plan is missing Acts 2:38…Baptism

Thank you, ma'am Anna. I'm planning to use this in the hospital. I will print this and share this with the patient and with their companion. Thank you for allowing your materials to be printed and used by everyone.

Thanks a lot for this valuable kids lessons and the format used. I'm planning to apply it to our Children s church

Thank you for everything you do. I will use your cards to tell my Sunday School Class about Salvation. Not all of the children have parents who know the Gospel so the fact that they will take the cards home, means that their parents might read them and come to know Jesus as their Saviour. From South Africa

Hello Anna Joy, I plan to use the cards to teach 4th and 5th grades all about salvation, thank you for helping me. God Bless, Lydia.

Oh, I’m so glad you can use them, Lydia. May God bless you as you teach these precious older kids about His amazing plan of salvation!

Thank you very much for this! God bless you real good

I will use this for our 6th grade class. While we are a Christian school, it is never an assurance that all our kids have a personal relationship with Christ. We as teachers want to do our Biblical mandate to minister to these children. Thank you for these…God bless you and your ministry.

I will be using them for children church on Wednesday night.

Thank you for sharing this effective idea with us.. Lots of love from northeast(Arunachal pradesh)India..may God bless you and your ministry.

Thank you so much Sister.

So much Love from Philippines

thank you for these helps and you have them in different versions

I will be using this to teach the plan of salvation to my Children’s Church. Thank you!

THIS IS AMAZING!!! GOD BLESS YOU AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS AND FOR WHAT YOU DO.

I love everything I have gotten here. It makes it so much easier to teach my small class of Jr. Church kids. They love all the projects too. Thank you. God bless.

These are AWESOME! Thank you so much!

Thank you so very much! Love this for kids!

Great tool thanks for sharing it.

Thank you soooo very much for this information in an easy-to-understand format for children. Then providing the print copies. This is a tremendous blessing and will help impact and equip the very lives of multitudes of children with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What a blessing!

Please pray for me as I am about to share the Good News with a woman that is on her dying bed and is in need of God’s love and Salvation. Pray that God will use me in whatever capacity He chooses to make this happen! Thank you!

Praying, Nalani! May God give you wisdom and grace and boldness as you minister to this precious woman. May God be with you!

These are absolutely perfect for my Jr. age Sunday school class! Thank you for providing them in the KJV as it is getting more difficult to find resources that are not other versions.

Thank you the true gospel

I think I will assemble them in a powerpoint. Also make sheets for the students to color and cut apart to make booklets. Thank you for sharing!

Thank you for sharing this idea. It is a great help for little children to fully understand salvation with Jesus. May God richly bless you.

Anna thank you for your efforts to help getting the gospel to young minds in a way they will understand and attractive. Your step 5 is off the Scripture. 1 John 3:9 says whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin for His seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God. So when one is saved he is free from sin and he is perfect on the account of the Cross. As he continue to abide in Christ and the Word abide in him/her will remain perfect. We are commanded many times to be perfect our loving and merciful Saviour won’t command us to be what He knows we can’t be. God bless

This is an amazing free resource you have provided! Thank you! The 10th frame is actually 2 Tim 3:14 and 15!

Thank you for your Salvation verse booklet, I plan to use it in my Sunday school class this week. Would it be possible to get an editable version? I do the kids lesson for our Haiti mission trip and I would love to use your book translated for the Hatian kids.

Thank you so much for allowing us to download some of your material free. I’m retired and don’t have the income to get ever thing I’d like to get. I’m kind of the unofficial “find extra stuff” for our church’s Children’s Sunday School classes. So, thank you again for your generosity.

Beautifully brought together! I thank the Lord for His leading in this ministry! This is the message of salvation in its entirety! Glory and thanks to God for his inexpressible gift of salvation!

Amen! Isn’t our God amazing?

You did a beautiful job illustrating salvation, up to a point. You did not include baptism which is the only way to have sins removed. Mark 16:15,16 tells us that as well as 1 Peter 3:21. Baptism is essential to salvation.

I was thinking the same thing. Acts 2:37-38 and several other verses also address this. Thank you for your effort to help us share God’s plan of salvation with our kids. Would love to see the baptism verses added, along with verses about repentance (i.e. 2 Cor. 7:10) and confession (i.e.Romans 10:9-10).

No. Baptism is not necessary for salvation. It is the initiatory sign and seal into the covenant of grace. As circumcision referred to the cutting away of sin and to a change of heart (Deut. 10:16; 30:6; Jer. 4:4; 9:25, 26; Ezk.44:7, 9) baptism refers to the washing away of sin (Acts 2:38; 1 Pet. 3:21; Tit. 3:5) and to spiritual renewal (Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:11-12). The circumcision of the heart is signified by the circumcision of the flesh, that is, baptism (Col. 2:11-12).

If someone maintains that baptism is necessary for salvation, is he adding a work, his own, to the finished work of Christ? If the answer is yes, then that person would be in terrible risk of not being saved. If the answer is no, then why is baptism maintained as being necessary the same way as the Jews maintained that works were necessary?

Thank you so much for your obedience to having a servant heart especially in children’s minsistry! Praise God! May you be blessed richly and for all the generations to follow! Be encouraged and God bless you all! With love, Faith and Faithpointe Church aaall the waaay in Auckland, New Zealand 🙂

Thank you very much for sharing your God-given talents. As we continue to benefit from them, may you continue to be blessed as well.

Thx for sharing your awesome talents to spread the gospel to others! I appreciate all the time & dedication it takes to produce visuals. I will use them to glorify Jesus Christ And spread love, joy & the Good News to others. In Christ, Janice

Thank you for sharing and for being so talented.

Thank you for sharing this presentation of the Gospel. Kids can read the verses as you explain God’s love for them and how He made a way for them to fellowship with Him through Jesus, His Son. It is a great take home tool that they can refer to over and over again.

It is wonderful to have found your website. I live in the South of England and have a Grand daughter of 6 who stays 2 nights a week. She love hearing me read the Bible and is is now reading and writing herself so your resources are just perfect. Thank you so much for making them available.

THANK YOU for the resources. It is so hard to find printable materials in the KJV. Your page is a great help to me as our church is only 5 yrs old & we have a very small budget. GOD BLESS YOUR WORK & SERVICE!

My Sunday School class is going to enjoy this.

I’m going to use it in our sunday school. I think its a great activity for kids to learn salvation.Thank you for your site!

thank you so much and may God bless you i will make good use of them in our church school

Thank you for your site! I teach the youngest group in Awana’s and even some of the lessons seem too big for my kiddos. This booklet for sharing the gospel is a great activity that we just can’t share enough with them. THANKS!

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Awesome resource, thank you! I will definitely be using this.

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Two Ways to Live Gospel Presentation

Two ways to live.

Two Ways to Live is a clear and simple explanation of the the good news that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and died and rose again for the salvation of all who would trust in Him. The Two Ways to Live Gospel Presentation is available online here and in a range of formats, together with training courses and other resources to equip you to share the good news of Jesus. If you would like more information, click on the image or contact Matthias Media directly at [email protected]

Two Ways to Live Talks

For a series of six talks that give the background theology of each box of the presentation, click on the boxes below or go to:

The Theology of Two Ways to Live         

For a series of six talks that give a shorter, more simple explanation of the gospel, head here .

• 3.1.12. Two Ways to Live

If you have benefitted from this resource, please consider making a donation so that we can continue to provide free resources.

5 responses to “ Two Ways to Live Gospel Presentation ”

hoping to teach this over 6 weeks in church for all age services over the UK summer, starting mid-July, mainly to Christians as a training and theology tool. would value any helpful resources, activities for children / adults, images for powerpoint etc to design a whole service around each of the 6 themes.

Hi! Thank you for the great resources that proclaim Jesus! We are looking to use this in a Youth Presentation at our Church? Is that okay permission wise? Thank you God Bless

Hi David Great to hear you are using Two Ways to Live. You need to contact Matthias Media to ask about permission from the publisher. Thanks for your enquiry.

Hi! Some time ago we were given permission by the Good Book Company to include contact details for the ‘Two Ways to Live Gospel Presentation’ as a LINK in our church website. On checking through the draft I now find that there was a revision by Matthias Media. Not knowing whether or not this requires a fresh permission from Matthias Media could you please enlighten me? Thank you.

Hi Peter Thanks for your enquiry. It is now necessary to contact Matthias Media to ask permission from the publisher for anything to do with using the presentation or linking to it. Thanks.

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Bible Activities and Sermons » Activity Type » Kids' sermon/message

3 New Gospel Presentations for Your Children’s Ministry Classroom

Published: January 15, 2021

These 3 new gospel presentations are fun ways to share the gospel in your children’s ministry that will really stick with kids.

Gospel Presentation: All Clear

Fill three clear plastic bottles with 8 to 10 ounces of water. Add a small amount of liquid bleach to one of the bottles. (Keep out of the children’s reach.) You’ll also need red and blue food coloring and a clear pitcher or jar to hold the water from all three bottles.

Drop four drops of blue food coloring into one bottle of plain water. Say: When Jesus came into our world as a baby, he had to leave his home in heaven. We often think of heaven as being up above the blue skies. Drop four drops of red coloring into the second bottle of plain water.

Say: When Jesus grew up, he suffered and died on a cross.

• What did soldiers put on Jesus’ head? (A crown of thorns)
• What did they put through his hands and feet? (Nails)
• Do you think Jesus bled like you have when you’ve hurt yourself?

Say: Red reminds us of the blood Jesus bled and how much he hurt. Pour the two bottles at once into the large pitcher or jar.

Washing Our Sins Away

Say: Purple reminds us that Jesus had to leave heaven, come to our world, and become a person like us so he could shed his blood to take away our sins. When Jesus died on the cross, had he done anything wrong? No. Jesus was perfect. He was clear and clean just like our last bottle.

Pour the bleach/water solution into the purple water. Say: Jesus never sinned. Jesus died on the cross because he loves each of us so much. One day, we’ll go to heaven to be with Jesus. Our blue water reminds us of that. Let’s sing “Jesus Loves Me.” As we sing, keep your eyes on our blue water. It’ll become clear.

At the end of the song, say: J esus cleanses us from all sin. Jesus loves us so much that he was willing to leave his home in heaven and die on a cross for us. What a wonderful Savior! Let’s pray and thank him.

Dear Jesus, thank you for leaving your home in heaven to die on a cross so that we could live in heaven with you. We love you, Jesus. Amen.

Linda Greenwald Houston, Texas

Gospel Presentation: Now You See It!

Here’s an illusion you can create to help children understand new life in Christ.

Make a tube by using two empty store-bought icing containers, a sturdy file folder, and Con-Tact paper with a print that’s the same from all directions, such as polka dots or stripes. Cover the file folder with the Con-Tact paper. Place the icing containers bottom to bottom. Then wrap and glue the decorated file folder around them. The container openings will be the ends of the tube. Glue a fake caterpillar in one end and a fake butterfly in the other end.

At the butterfly end of the tube, mark a small symbol visible only to you so you can tell which end is which.

Show the children the end with the caterpillar. Say: Before we place our faith in Jesus, we are just like an ugly old caterpillar. Sin in our lives keeps us from being the beautiful butterflies God wants us to be.

Divert kids’ attention by asking a child to show the audience the pretty scarf you’re going to drape over the tube.

As people watch the child, turn the tube around. Cover the tube with the scarf. Have someone read aloud 2 Corinthians 5:17 .

Then pull off the scarf and show everyone the beautiful butterfly in the other end. Say: The caterpillar changing into a butterfly reminds me of how Jesus changes us when we follow him. Jesus is our Savior. When we believe in Jesus, we become alive again like the butterfly. It’s like we’re born a second time to live eternally with God in heaven.

Arla Albers Fairfax, Virginia

Gospel Presentation: Repentance Run

Use this gospel presentation outside, in a gym, or in the largest room in your church. Have kids line up at one end of the room while you stand at the other end. Say: On “go,” walk toward me. When I yell “repent,” turn around and walk the other way. Again, when I yell “repent,” turn around and walk the other way. Ready? Go!

Play for up to five minutes or until children are wearing down. Then gather everyone together and ask:

• What did you have to do when I yelled “repent”?

Say: To repent means to turn around and go the other way.

Read aloud Mark 1:14-15 . Ask:

• What does Jesus want us to do?
• Which kinds of things do people need to turn away from?
• What does Jesus say we need to do after we repent?

Read aloud Acts 3:19-20 .

• According to these verses, what happens when we repent and return to God?
• Is there anything you   need to repent from so you can turn to Jesus in faith?

Allow children time to respond; then pray for and with each child.

Looking for more children’s ministry activities? Check out these posts !

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