In my last few posts, I expounded on Larry R. Moyer’s Plow and Pursue method. The focus of those posts was to help us see the natural progression a conversation can take to get to talking about the gospel. If you have not had a chance to read those posts, check out Part 1 and Part 2.

Today, I am going to move our discussion on evangelism a little further by starting a series on gospel presentation methods. Before we turn to the first method, I need to explain the advantage of using methods to present the gospel.

The Advantage of Methods

The first thing I want you to understand is that using a specific method is not required when presenting the gospel. Even though it is not required it can be helpful. Having a few methods down helps in at least two ways:

(1) It increases our confident.

(2) It increases our comfort level.

Hopefully, by increasing our confidence and comfort level, we will engage more people with the gospel; thus, fulfilling our God-given task to make disciples. With that said, let’s turn to the first of several methods.

The Biblical Storyline

This first method focuses on the biblical storyline. As we talk through the story of the Bible, we not only are able to explain key concepts that tell us why we need the gospel, but also the gospel itself. Here is the method:

Creation – People need to know they were created by a personal being. As well as they need to know who their Creator is before they will agree or even understand that their relationship with their Creator is broken. It is then our task to explain creation as laid forth in Genesis 1 and 2.

Fall – People need to know why and how sin came to be in the world. This means it is our task to explain the fall of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3.

Broken Community – People need to know that they are sinners, who are separated from God because of their sin. As well as they need to know the world is the way it is because of sin. We can best do this by explaining that we live in a broken community. One that was not meant to be, but is because of sin coming into the world through the Fall.

Redemption – People need to know there is hope. It then becomes our job to explain that our relationship with God can be reconciled, the world can be changed, they can be released from the bondage of their sin, and they can experience eternal life instead of eternal damnation. This all occurs through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

Colossians 1:20 tells us that Christ reconciles all things to Himself through His blood. When we admit we are sinners, believe Jesus is our Savior and Lord, and confess those things, we are saved. We are redeemed from death to life through Jesus Christ. We need to explain these concepts to those we are talking to about the gospel.

New Community – People need to know that their belief in Jesus changes their lives and places them in the kingdom of God, even though they live in the world now. We need to explain that the church is God’s kingdom on earth. That those in the church are believers and live differently than the world. They live in this way because Jesus changes the hearts of those who believe in Him and forms a new community with them. A community that is tasked to reflect and glorify God.

Return – People need to know that Jesus will return and judge the world one day. All those who do not believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior, will be judged at His return and sentenced to eternal damnation. Conversely, those who do believe will not be sentenced to eternal damnation, but will experience eternal life.

Re-created Community – People need to know what the future holds. A Re-created community free from sin where we live with our Savior for all of eternity is in-store for the believer. Here it is important to make it clear that only those who believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior will be apart of this new community.

As you talk with someone it is important to walk them through each of these communities and events so they will have a full understanding of why they need the gospel, how they are saved from their sins, and what benefits they receive as believers.

Questions for Reflection

1. Can you explain the story of the Bible to someone using the categories above?
2. Is there anyway I can help you understand this method better?

Resources

Image