I remember the first time I shared about salvation to my classmate in college. The thing is, she was way nicer than I was, more diligent in her studies, and frankly, didn’t seem to be struggling with anything in life. How could I tell her that she needed to be saved because she was a sinner? 

I don’t remember exactly how it went. Everything was a blur. And frankly, I’m so sure I messed up the explanation. But what I do remember clearly was that she was in tears, overwhelmed that someone could love all of her and die for her even when He knew all the ugly parts she kept hidden. 

That was when I first tested and realized that heart transformation could never be about skill or effort. It is only by the work and the power of the Holy Spirit in the person’s life that this miracle can happen, even as we obey God and step out in faith to preach the gospel despite possible rejection.

Nevertheless, part of the work of the Holy Spirit is the growth in our skill and knowledge in preaching the gospel to others. Here are a few questions that you can ask yourself that we hope could help you grow you in this skill.

1. Why does the person want to follow Jesus Christ? 

Whenever I preach the gospel to someone as they start their walk with Jesus Christ, I always find it enlightening to know the reason they want to have a relationship with God.

I feel like my life is a dead end. I’ve messed up a lot and I just don’t know where else to go.

It’s funny, ‘coz my life is going so well. And I’m scared that I’ll wake up tomorrow to see that everything was taken away.

I’m just so tired of feeling useless and unworthy. I’ve tried so hard to be perfect, but no matter how well I do something, my parents always think my older brother is better. 

Knowing where someone is coming from helps us know how to deliver the gospel in a way that is relevant to their situation.

You messed up a lot but the good news is you can have a second chance for a clean slate.

You’re right. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow and life can surprise us big time, whether good or bad. You want to put your trust in Someone who loves you and who also knows the future He has for you.

There is someone who loves and accepts you unconditionally and all He asks is that you stop trusting in yourself and start trusting in Him.

Knowing how to insert the gospel and which aspect of the gospel we should zero in on a particular conversation needs a discerning heart that is in tune with the leading of the Holy Spirit and wisdom that can be gained from a deeper understanding of the gospel. This leads us to the next question.

2. Have I grown in my personal understanding and experience of the gospel?

There is a saying in the marketing world, “You can’t sell what you don’t really believe in.” Although we may not view the gospel as a product or a service, it is actually the answer to everyone’s ultimate need. If we truly believe that as ministers of the gospel, we need to grow in the understanding and experience of the answers to the following questions:

• Do I know the depth of my own sinfulness? How easy is it for me to tell a white lie or judge someone based on their actions? How many times do I consider only myself without thinking of others? How automatic is it for me to just trust my own wisdom and not ask God what His opinion is before I act? Every single time I trust in myself rather than God, I sin. That is how deeply sinful I am.
• Do I understand what it means for God to be both loving and holy? Yes, God accepts and loves me unconditionally, regardless of the depth of my sinfulness. But He is also holy and His standard is perfection. I can never stand before Him based on my own performance.
• Do I know who Jesus Christ is and why He is the perfect solution to the mess we are all in? Do I know what it means for Him to exchange my sin for His righteousness? Have I really accepted that He is the only reason God can give me a clean slate at all? Have I embraced the truth that when I chose to follow Jesus Christ, it means I also identify with His righteousness and no longer with my sinful nature? Does His righteousness reflect in the way I live my life and view other people? 
• Do I really choose to trust in God (not my own wisdom or strength) daily for everything about my life? Am I still trying to take control of my life? Am I still running after things that bring me security and comfort instead of running after God’s heart? Am I still trying to earn His love and favor based on what I do, not on what Jesus Christ has done?

Taking the time to be still and reflecting on the answers to these questions every day will surely increase our understanding and experience of the gospel. This will not only change the way we share it to others; it will also allow us to feel the urgency of helping others know and experience the gospel.

3. How can I paint a bigger picture of salvation?

It’s true that following Jesus Christ is a personal decision, and even though most of us start our walk precisely because of an issue we encounter about our own selves, it would be good to emphasize from the onset that all our personal decisions does not just affect our own lives, but that of everyone around us, for good or for bad.

When we decide to follow Jesus Christ, it’s also a decision to trust Him instead of our own selves. This trust also means that we must surrender to His purpose for our lives, however that may affect our own dreams and plans. 

But what is His purpose for us? Is it to change the campus and change the world by accomplishing awesome feats? Paul explicitly says in 2 Corinthians 5:18 (TPT), “And God has made all things new, and reconciled us to Himself, and given us the ministry of reconciling others to God.” 

No matter where God brings us in this life and what career path we take, our ultimate goal is that those we will encounter will understand and experience the gospel through us, just as we have understood and experienced the gospel through someone.

Whether we end up as a doctor, a businessman, a teacher, a homemaker, or anything that God calls us to, it is through reconciling others to Him that God will use us to change the campus and change the world, one person at a time. This is the bigger picture of salvation that we need to paint.

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Check out the rest of the articles in the series:
1) Back to Basics: Tips on Sharing about Lordship
2) Back to Basics: Tips on Sharing about Repentance