A key part of our mentoring efforts is Sharing the Gospel. Here are some ideas to help you effectively do that.
Integrating biblical examples and the gospel: When you provide an example from scripture for a person's situation, preface it with: You may not be familiar with the Bible or maybe you have read it. Since the Bible is a book of hope and comfort providing understanding and insight about God, I would like to share this story... from the life of Jesus... Job... Ruth... or David...
These people suffered and endured many trials like you... and found help and hope in their faith in God and Christ.
Introducing the Gospel: "Maybe you are seeking God in all of your trials and maybe you would like know Him more personally. I encourage you to explore who God is and how He can help you now. These articles can help you understand more about faith in God and Christ: Faith and Four Spiritual Laws.
Questions which have proven effective in guiding a conversation toward Christ. If the person responds to your challenge, you can continue the dialogue per email.
"In your opinion, what is the greatest spiritual need in the world today?" "Where do you see yourself on your spiritual journey?"
"How would you like to know personally the God to whom you've prayed all your life?" (Appropriate for someone with a religious background but who doesn't know Christ personally)
"Would you like to know how you could become a Christian if you were ever interested?" Or "If you'd ever be interested in discovering the difference between religion and Christianity I'd be happy to talk to you about it."
Where did Peter go? Why do you think Peter felt so bad? Has any one ever risked their life for you? How did that make you feel? Do you think you would have done the same as Peter? Could you risk your life for a friend? Why do think Jesus was able too?
Do you understand why Jesus did what he did?
"If you were to die today, do you know for sure you would go to heaven?" If yes - "On what basis do you know?" If no - "would you like to be sure?" "You can be sure you are going to heaven. There is a little booklet called the Four Spiritual Laws which can will help you know for sure that you will go to heaven when you die. Please read it and we can talk about it further."
Communicating the Four Spiritual Laws: Try these various approaches to introduce the Four Spiritual Laws to a non-believer or asking he/she to investigate Christianity further:
"I'm reading a little booklet that really makes sense to a lot of people. I'd like to share it with you. Have you heard of the Four Spiritual Laws?" "Do you ever think about spiritual things?" (Pause for an answer)
"Have you ever heard of the Four Spiritual Laws ?"
"The content of this booklet has been used to change the lives of millions of people. It contains truths that I believe will be of great interest to you. Would you read it and give my your impression?"
"It is believed that this little booklet is the most widely printed piece of literature in the world apart from the Bible. Would you be interested in reading it?"
The 30-Day Experiment: "I want to leave this thought with you: You say you don't believe in the God or the Bible. I'm going to ask you to perform an experiment, as a matter of intellectual integrity. Read the Bible every day, starting with the Gospel of John. One hour a day, for 30 days. And every day begin your reading with a prayer: God, if You exist, and if Jesus Christ is your revelation to man and He truly died for my sins, I want to know You personally. If you pray that prayer everyday, and read the Bible for an hour objectively-as an honest seeker of truth- I'm sure you'll know what I am talking about." Order a Bible.
Here is a suggested way you can share the gospel:
Resource: "Witnessing Without Fear" by Bill Bright.
"Let me share with you how you can know God personally. God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. But, everyone is separated from God because He is holy and people cannot measure up to His standard of holiness. Rom. 3:23 says, "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Jesus Christ came into the world to bridge the gap between man and God, to die . on the cross of Calvary 2,000 years ago and pay for the penalty of the sins of the world for those who believe in Him. Romans 6:23 says, "the wages of sin is death, but, the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord."
Alternative religious views have saviors who remain in the grave. No other system offers everlasting life as a gift to those who follow their leaders. None of those leaders has overcome death. No other system offers assurance of forgiveness, eternal life, and adoption into the family of God. Jesus Christ offers you salvation because He died for your sins and rose from the dead. You can call on God and trust in His Son for salvation in the same way a drowning person calls for help and relies on the rescue of a lifeguard. Jesus has promised the gift of salvation -- forgiveness of sins and eternal life -- to all who believe in Him. Romans 10:9 says: "If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved".(NIV)
© Bill Bright, "Witnessing Without Fear"
