Sharing the Gospel is a natural part of every believer’s life. We share it through the way we live, the way we love, and the way we speak. Our testimony, our actions, and the truth of Scripture all point to the Good News of Jesus. Even though we know we should share the Gospel, many of us still wonder how. Can we really explain it clearly? Will it come across naturally? The answer is yes—and you can start now. Check out the resources below to discover simple, practical ways to share the Gospel with confidence and clarity.
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. JOHN 3:16
how to share THE GOSPEL
Our strategy for clearly sharing the Gospel is to use the Four Circles—a simple tool for recalling the core message of the Gospel. Each circle represents a key truth and an opportunity to share your story.
- WORLD: What did you know about God before believing in Jesus?
- BROKEN HEART: What evidence of brokenness existed in your life before Christ?
- CROSS: When did you hear the Gospel and believe in Jesus
- NEW: What evidence—internal and external—shows that you are being made new? How has believing in Jesus changed your life?
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 CORINTHIANS 5:17
GOSPEL CONVERSATIONS
Sharing your faith is simpler than you think! Keep these two truths in mind.
Gospel conversations can happen at any place at any time.
- When given the opportunity to share Jesus, take it because you are salt and light and are here to share the grace and truth of God. (Matthew 5:13-16)
- When asked why you go to church tell them about your need for a Savior and how you have believed in Jesus. (John 14:6)
- When others see that you are good even when you are going through difficulties, point to Jesus as the reason for your hope. (2 Timothy 4:2)
- When someone shares a struggle, ask if you can pray with them because you know that God loves us and has met our greatest need in Jesus. (John 3:16)
- When others see you living differently and ask about it, tell them of your faith in Jesus and God is changing you as His Spirit works in you. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Gospel conversations happen over time. Use these questions to guide your conversations.
- Why do you need a Savior?
- What do you know about Jesus?
- What did Jesus do to be your Savior?
- Are you ready to believe in Jesus?
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
JOHN 14:6
GOSPEL CLARITY
When we share the Gospel, it’s important to make it clear that we are called to believe in Jesus, not to become something first. We don’t have to fix ourselves or get our lives together before coming to Him. Belief comes first—then begins the journey of becoming more like Jesus. If we get the order wrong, we make the Gospel about our efforts instead of God’s grace.
BELIEVE
When we share our faith, we invite people to believe in Jesus as their Savior. The word “believe” is the central term used throughout the Gospel of John to describe the right response to God’s love and His gift of Jesus. In John 3:16, Jesus kept it simple: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Belief is not about having all the answers or living a perfect life—it’s about trusting in who Jesus is and what He has done. Our response to the Gospel is to believe, and God’s response to our belief is the gift of eternal life.
BECOME
Some people believe they need to “clean themselves up” or “be better” before they can come to Jesus. They feel unworthy, too broken, or too far gone to be accepted by God as they are. But the truth of the Gospel is that there are no prerequisites for faith. Jesus doesn’t ask us to fix ourselves first—He invites us to come as we are. Transformation and life change are the result of belief, not the requirement for it. When we hear the Gospel and respond by believing, that’s when the real work of spiritual growth begins. From that moment on, we start the lifelong journey of becoming more like Jesus
AVOIDING CONFUSION IN GOSPEL CONVERSATIONS
As we examine certain phrases and practices to avoid, our goal is to share the Gospel with greater clarity and confidence. Sometimes the words we use or the methods we’ve adopted can unintentionally create confusion or barriers. By being thoughtful and intentional, we can communicate the Good News in a way that is both faithful to Scripture and easily understood by others. Ultimately, we want our message to point clearly to Jesus and invite others to respond to Him.
Phrases to Avoid
ASK JESUS INTO YOUR HEART
This phrase can create misleading imagery, especially for children who take things literally. Belief in Jesus is not just inviting Him into your life—it’s trusting Him for forgiveness and eternal life (John 20:31). Use Biblical language and invite people to believe in Jesus.
SURRENDER TO JESUS AS LORD
While surrender and Lordship are essential to discipleship, they are not prerequisites for salvation. We are saved by grace through faith alone. We invite unbelievers to believe in Jesus as their Savior to find life. Surrender comes after salvation as part of growing in relationship with Jesus. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
ADMIT, BELIEVE, CONFESS
Though well-intentioned, this three-step method can be confusing. It may suggest that “accepting” Jesus is a separate act before belief, and that “confessing” is a one-time event rather than an ongoing expression of faith. We aim to stay consistent with the Biblical truth that we are saved by belief in Jesus.
Practices to Avoid
FOCUSING ONLY ON HEAVEN OR HELL
While heaven and hell are real and important, fear should never be our primary motivator in sharing the Gospel. The Gospel is the story of God’s love overcoming sin and fear. (Romans 5:8)
When we frame salvation only as an escape from hell, we risk leading people into fear-based decisions instead of genuine belief.
When we frame salvation only as an escape from hell, we risk leading people into fear-based decisions instead of genuine belief.
ARGUING THEOLOGY OR WORLDVIEW ISSUES
While it’s valuable to know theology and Scripture, our goal isn’t to win arguments—it’s to win people to Christ. Be patient, answer questions kindly, and prioritize relationships over being right. Jesus said the world would know us by our love, not by how much we know.
THINKING SHARING FAITH IS A ONE-TIME CONVERSATION
When we share our faith with others, it is often in the context of an ongoing relationship with them. So, don't feel pressure to share everything you know and love about Jesus in one conversation. Also, don't press too hard to "make them believe" in one conversation. God was patient with you. Be patient and wise with them.