Preparing to Proclaim: An Introduction to Evangelism
Reasons for Hope in Christ
Course Outline
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“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
1 Peter 3:15
Proclaiming the gospel does not mean memorizing a twenty-minute sermon, or even preparing a five-minute devotion. Frankly, many people are not ready to listen to a long, drawn-out message, nor interested in getting into a debate on religion or Christianity.
In most scenarios that God provides, people are willing to hear a short gospel message when they feel that they have been treated with gentleness and respect. We do not have to walk away in silence or assume that people don’t want to hear the gospel. They just don’t know that they don’t know.
It is my experience that there are more people than we think who are willing to hear a twenty-thirty second message on the reasons for the hope that I have in Christ.
Imagine this scenario.
You walk into an elevator with another person and the door shuts. The awkward silence ensues while you both stare at the numbers above and wait for your floor to arrive. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appears and tells you to share a message about your Savior to the stranger next to you before the elevator door opens at the top floor. You have thirty seconds. What would you say?
So, let’s check your qualifications for giving your answer.
- Have you been faithfully attending worship services and attending Bible studies?
- Do you read the Bible often and read devotions?
- Does your answer align with what God’s Word teaches?
- Does your answer include what Jesus Christ has already done for you?
I would not be surprised if you answered yes to all of these questions. If so, then I am 100% confident that you already know how to proclaim the gospel. You are prepared!
If you have any doubts, please share your answer with your pastor and he will gladly help you.
We are discovering that the challenge isn’t really knowing what to say but having the boldness to say something when God provides an opportunity to deliver a message.
Take Action: Record your answers to the scenario above on page 9 of the study guide.
I find it easier to bring up current events. The riots in Portland is a real starter! Revelation tells us about the bowls of wrath being poured out on the earth. But we have the promises of God to be with us to the very end of the age. A conversation like this may lead to further discussion??
I agree that current events are a great conversation starter.
The topic of Portland riots got me thinking about Luke 13:1-5. Jesus took recent events and instead of dwelling on the sins of ‘those people’, he reminded his listeners that they had a more important topic to discuss….the need for all people, believers and unbelievers alike, to look into the darkness of the human heart and to repent. Maybe a good conversation starter if the topic of riots comes up could be, “Why does it seem that WE humans have a need to rebel against authority?” That starts a transition from the political to the spiritual and attempts to put me on the same footing as the person I am speaking with. They may see themselves as morally superior (“What do you mean ‘we’?”), but it is less likely they will think that I see myself as morally superior to them.
Excellent comment, Brent. I agree with you. It’s a good lead into a bigger problem that all people have — we are sinners in need of Christ.