For some people, the thought of teaching someone else the gospel is fearful and even paralyzing. First of all, how do I get someone to agree to let me talk to them about the gospel, and then, if they agree, what do I even say? While teaching the gospel is certainly a task to be taken seriously and with proper readiness, it is something that every single Christian has both the ability and the knowledge to do. With prayer and trust in the Father above, a healthy level of confidence can be added to one’s ability and knowledge to fulfill this exciting and rewarding responsibility of God’s children.
So, what is an easy way to teach someone the G-O-S-P-E-L? Well, if I can remember how to spell G-O-S-P-E-L, then I have a simple way to tell someone the greatest news on earth. Let’s teach together.
G—Goodness of God. It is possible for anyone to “see that the Lord is good” (Psa. 34:8), for “the earth is full of [His] goodness” (33:5). He “made the world and everything in it,” and “He gives to all life, breath, and all things…for in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:24-28). His goodness is seen in “His indescribable gift” (2 Cor. 9:15)!
O—Openness to All. The greatness of God’s love for “the world” is seen in that Jesus “died for all” (2 Cor. 5:14; cf. Heb. 2:9). “Without partiality” (1 Pet. 1:17), God “desires all men to be saved” (1 Tim. 2:4), and thus He calls “all” to Himself through the gospel (Mark 16:15; Matt. 11:28).
S—Salvation Through Christ. Complete forgiveness of sins comes through (and only through) the death of Jesus on the cross (Gal. 1:4) and the shedding of His blood for us (Heb. 9:22; Rev. 1:5). By His authority (Matt. 28:18), His Word tells us exactly how to be saved from sin (Jas. 1:21; John 8:32).
P—Place of the Church. It is important for everyone to know that the Lord has situated His church as an essential part of His plan (Eph. 3:10-11) and of our salvation (Acts 2:38-47). One cannot be saved outside of His church (Eph. 5:23) nor be delivered to heaven outside of it (1 Cor. 15:24).
E—Expectations of God. The grace of God is extended to those who, “through faith” in Christ (Eph. 2:8), “obey Him” (Heb. 5:9) and “do the will” of the Father in heaven (Matt. 7:21). The one who “repents” and “is baptized” is “saved” from sin (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16).
L—Love’s Response to God. When one finds out about God, about Jesus, about what they have done for us and about what they expect of us, the “love” filled response is one that will “keep His commandments” (1 John 5:3; John 14:15), without personal hesitation, suspicion or alteration. The gospel is not about “have-to’s” but about “get-to’s”!