How To Share The Gospel
What does it mean to share the Gospel?
The word Gospel means “good news.” At the heart of the Gospel is the message that God loves humanity, that sin has separated people from God, and that through Jesus Christ there is forgiveness, salvation, reconciliation, and eternal life.
Jesus calls His followers not only to believe the Gospel but also to share it with others.
Sharing the Gospel is not about winning an argument, forcing someone to believe, or having all the answers.
It is about faithfully telling people about Jesus and giving them the opportunity to respond.
Every Christian can share the Gospel.
You do not need to be a pastor, preacher, theologian, or evangelist.
You simply need to know Jesus, understand the basic message of the Gospel, and be willing to tell others what you believe.
What Is the Gospel?
Before we can share the Gospel, we need to understand it ourselves.
The Gospel is the good news about Jesus Christ.
It includes several essential truths:
• God created us and loves us.
• Humanity has been affected by sin.
• Sin separates us from God.
• We cannot save ourselves through good works.
• Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.
• Jesus lived a perfect life.
• Jesus died on the cross.
• Jesus rose again from the dead.
• Forgiveness and salvation are offered through faith in Christ.
• Those who trust in Jesus receive new life.
• Jesus calls His followers to become His disciples.
• Christians have the hope of eternal life.
• Jesus will ultimately return and establish His kingdom.
Sharing the Gospel means communicating these truths clearly and lovingly.
Why Should Christians Share the Gospel?
Christians share the Gospel because Jesus commanded His followers to make disciples.
The Gospel is good news that is intended to be shared.
If we genuinely believe that Jesus brings forgiveness, salvation, hope, and eternal life, then it should matter to us that other people hear about Him.
Sharing the Gospel is therefore an expression of love.
We do not share because we think we are better than others.
We share because we recognise that we also need God’s grace.
The Christian who shares the Gospel should do so with humility.
You Do Not Have to Be a Preacher
Many Christians become nervous when they hear the word “evangelism.”
They imagine standing in front of a large crowd and preaching.
But evangelism does not always look like that.
You can share the Gospel through:
• A conversation
• A personal testimony
• A Bible study
• A church service
• A small group
• Social media
• A Christian website
• A personal blog
• A podcast
• A video
• A book
• A leaflet
• A conversation over coffee
• Helping someone in need
• Inviting someone to church
• Praying with someone
• Answering someone’s questions about faith
God can use many different methods.
The important thing is that Jesus remains at the centre of the message.
Start With Prayer
Before sharing the Gospel, pray.
Ask God to:
• Give you courage.
• Give you wisdom.
• Give you compassion.
• Give you the right words.
• Prepare the other person’s heart.
• Help you listen carefully.
• Keep you humble.
• Give you opportunities to speak.
• Help you represent Jesus faithfully.
Evangelism should never become simply a human project.
We depend upon God.
The Holy Spirit is the One who works in people’s hearts.
Our responsibility is to be faithful witnesses.
Build Relationships
Sharing the Gospel is often most effective when it happens within genuine relationships.
People are not projects.
They are people created by God.
Take time to know people.
Listen to their stories.
Understand their experiences.
Ask about their hopes, fears, beliefs, and questions.
Show genuine interest.
Christianity should be demonstrated through love as well as explained through words.
A person’s first experience of Christianity may come through the way a Christian treats them.
Listen Before You Speak
One of the most important skills in evangelism is listening.
Do not assume you already know what someone believes.
Ask questions.
You could ask:
• “Do you have any religious beliefs?”
• “Have you ever thought about Christianity?”
• “What do you think about Jesus?”
• “Do you believe there is a God?”
• “Have you ever read the Bible?”
• “Is there anything about Christianity you have always wondered about?”
• “Would you like to know what Christians believe?”
Then listen.
Do not interrupt unnecessarily.
Do not immediately try to correct every disagreement.
Understand where the person is coming from.
Good evangelism begins with genuine conversation.
Share Your Own Story
Your testimony can be a powerful way to introduce someone to Jesus.
You do not need to have an extraordinary story.
Simply explain what your life was like, how you came to faith, and what difference Jesus makes in your life.
A simple testimony can have three parts:
Before
What was your understanding of God and Christianity before you came to faith?
Encounter
How did you begin to understand Jesus?
What helped you become a Christian?
After
How has following Jesus changed your life?
Your testimony is personal.
Someone may disagree with a theological argument, but they cannot easily argue with your honest account of what Christ has done in your life.
Keep Jesus at the Centre
The Gospel is not primarily about us.
It is about Jesus.
It is easy for conversations about Christianity to become focused on:
• Church traditions
• Denominations
• Politics
• Controversies
• Personal opinions
• Religious arguments
• Other people’s failures
These subjects may sometimes have their place, but they are not the Gospel.
Keep bringing the conversation back to Jesus.
| Who He is. |
| What He did. |
| Why He came. |
| Why He died. |
| Why He rose again. |
| What He offers. |
| And what it means to follow Him. |
Explain Sin Carefully
The Gospel includes the reality of sin.
Sin describes humanity’s rebellion and failure to live according to God’s will.
Every person needs God’s forgiveness.
When discussing sin, Christians should avoid using it as a weapon.
We are not telling people:
“You are worse than me.”
We are saying:
“We all need God’s grace, and I need it too.”
The message of the Gospel should communicate both the seriousness of sin and the greatness of God’s mercy.
Explain the Cross
The cross is at the heart of the Gospel.
Jesus willingly gave His life for sinners.
His death demonstrates God’s justice, holiness, mercy, and love.
The cross shows us the seriousness of sin while also revealing the extraordinary depth of God’s grace.
When sharing the Gospel, explain that Jesus did not simply die as an example of love.
He died as part of God’s saving work.
Through Christ, forgiveness and reconciliation with God are offered.
Explain the Resurrection
The Gospel does not end with the cross.
Jesus rose again.
The resurrection is central to Christian faith.
It demonstrates Christ’s victory over death and provides the foundation for Christian hope.
When sharing the Gospel, explain that Christianity is based upon the historical claim that Jesus died and rose again.
The resurrection means that Jesus is alive.
It means His promises can be trusted.
It means death does not have the final word.
It means eternal life is possible through Christ.
Explain Grace
Grace means receiving God’s undeserved favour.
We cannot earn salvation by being good enough.
We cannot buy forgiveness.
We cannot achieve eternal life through religious activity.
Salvation is God’s gift.
This is one of the most important truths to communicate when sharing the Gospel.
Christianity is not:
“Do enough good things and perhaps God will accept you.”
It is:
“God offers salvation through Jesus Christ, and we respond through faith.”
Good works are important, but they are the fruit of a transformed life rather than the price of salvation.
Explain Faith
Faith involves trusting Jesus Christ.
It is more than simply believing that Jesus existed.
Faith means placing your trust in Him.
It means believing who He is and responding to His invitation.
Faith affects the whole person.
It influences what we believe, how we live, how we make decisions, and where we place our hope.
Explain Repentance
Repentance means turning away from sin and turning towards God.
It involves a change of heart and direction.
When we share the Gospel, we should explain that becoming a Christian involves more than repeating words.
It means responding to Jesus.
It means surrendering our lives to Him.
It means being willing to allow Him to change us.
Repentance does not mean that Christians become instantly perfect.
It means beginning a new direction of life with Christ.
Invite Questions
Do not be afraid when someone asks questions.
Questions can be opportunities.
People may ask:
• “Why does God allow suffering?”
• “Why should I believe the Bible?”
• “How do we know Jesus existed?”
• “Why are there so many denominations?”
• “What about other religions?”
• “Why does God allow bad things to happen?”
• “Can God really forgive me?”
• “What happens after death?”
• “Why should I trust Christianity?”
You may not know every answer.
That is okay.
It is perfectly acceptable to say:
“I don’t know, but I would be happy to look into that with you.”
Being honest is better than pretending to know something you do not.
Do Not Force Someone to Believe
Christian evangelism should never involve manipulation, intimidation, or coercion.
People need the freedom to ask questions and consider the message.
We cannot force someone to have faith.
Our responsibility is to communicate the Gospel faithfully.
God is responsible for the work within a person’s heart.
Be patient.
Someone may not respond immediately.
A conversation today may become the foundation for a decision years later.
Be Respectful of Other People
Christians are called to share truth with love.
That means treating people with dignity even when they disagree.
• Do not insult someone because they have different beliefs.
• Do not mock another religion.
• Do not use fear as a substitute for explaining the Gospel.
• Do not deliberately provoke arguments.
• Do not treat people as though they are spiritually inferior.
Jesus demonstrated compassion even towards people who disagreed with Him.
Christians should do the same.
Share the Gospel Through Your Life
Our actions matter.
People should see something different in Christians.
This does not mean pretending to be perfect.
It means allowing Christ to transform us.
A Christian’s life should increasingly demonstrate:
• Love
• Joy
• Peace
• Patience
• Kindness
• Goodness
• Faithfulness
• Gentleness
• Self-control
• Forgiveness
• Compassion
• Humility
• Integrity
Our lives should support the message we proclaim.
If we talk about God’s love while treating people cruelly, our behaviour undermines our message.
Use the Bible
The Bible should have an important place in Gospel conversations.
You do not need to quote dozens of passages.
Sometimes one carefully chosen passage can open up an important conversation.
Useful passages to explore include:
| John 3:16 |
| Romans 3:23 |
| Romans 6:23 |
| Romans 5:8 |
| Romans 10:9–10 |
| Ephesians 2:8–10 |
| 2 Corinthians 5:17–21 |
| Acts 16:30–31 |
| 1 John 1:9 |
| Mark 10:45 |
The goal is not to overwhelm someone with Scripture.
The goal is to help them encounter the message of God’s Word.
Invite Someone to Explore Christianity
Not everyone will be ready to make an immediate commitment.
That does not mean the conversation has failed.
You can invite someone to take another step.
For example:
• Read one of the Gospels together.
• Attend church together.
• Join a Bible study.
• Watch a Christian talk or testimony.
• Pray together.
• Explore a question they have.
• Give them a Bible.
• Recommend a trustworthy Christian resource.
Evangelism is often a journey rather than a single conversation.
Sharing the Gospel Online
The internet provides enormous opportunities to share the Gospel.
Christians can use:
• Websites
• Social media
• Blogs
• Videos
• Podcasts
• Online Bible studies
• Digital courses
• Christian forums
• Email newsletters
Online evangelism should follow the same principles as face-to-face evangelism.
• Be truthful.
• Be respectful.
• Be compassionate.
• Avoid unnecessary arguments.
• Do not misrepresent Christianity.
• Do not use sensationalism simply to gain attention.
• Point people towards Jesus.
Sharing the Gospel Through Social Media
Social media can be used to share short Gospel messages, testimonies, Bible reflections, prayer encouragement, Christian articles, videos, and invitations to explore faith.
However, remember that people are watching how Christians behave online.
Avoid:
• Personal attacks
• Abusive comments
• Deliberate arguments
• Spreading false information
• Sharing unverified claims
• Publicly humiliating people
• Using Christianity to promote hatred
Instead, use social media to communicate truth, hope, grace, encouragement, and the love of Christ.
Sharing the Gospel With Someone Who Is Suffering
Be especially sensitive when someone is grieving, seriously ill, experiencing disability, facing financial hardship, or going through a crisis.
Do not reduce someone’s suffering to simplistic statements.
Do not tell someone that their suffering automatically means they lack faith.
Do not promise that God will give them exactly what they want.
Instead:
Listen.
Pray.
Offer practical support.
Show compassion.
When appropriate, gently explain the hope that Christians have in Jesus.
Sometimes the most powerful Gospel witness is simply staying beside someone when everyone else has walked away.
Sharing the Gospel With Family and Friends
Sharing faith with people we love can be difficult.
They already know us.
They have seen our successes and failures.
They may have strong opinions about Christianity.
Be patient.
Do not constantly pressure them.
Let your life demonstrate the difference Christ makes.
Look for natural opportunities to talk.
Pray for them.
Listen to them.
Love them.
When opportunities arise, explain what Jesus means to you.
Remember that your role is to witness faithfully, not control the outcome.
Sharing the Gospel at Work
Workplaces can provide opportunities for genuine relationships.
However, Christians should also respect professional boundaries.
You do not need to turn every conversation into a religious discussion.
Instead:
• Treat colleagues with respect.
• Work honestly.
• Demonstrate integrity.
• Be helpful.
• Listen to people.
• Be willing to answer questions.
• Share your faith when appropriate.
• Respect people’s right to disagree.
Your character can create opportunities for meaningful conversations.
Sharing the Gospel With Children and Young People
When sharing Christianity with children and young people, communication should be age-appropriate.
Keep explanations clear.
Encourage questions.
Never manipulate a child into making a religious decision through fear or pressure.
Help young people understand who Jesus is, what He taught, why He died, and why Christians believe He rose again.
Encourage them to read the Bible, ask questions, pray, and explore the Christian faith.
Parents, guardians, churches, and Christian leaders all have an important role in helping younger generations encounter the Gospel.
What If Someone Says No?
Not everyone will accept the Gospel.
Some people will disagree.
Some will be indifferent.
Some may become angry.
Others may simply not be ready.
Do not take rejection personally.
Jesus Himself was rejected.
Your responsibility is faithfulness.
Continue to love the person.
Do not allow disagreement to destroy the relationship.
Keep praying.
Keep living faithfully.
You may never know what God is doing beneath the surface.
What If I Am Afraid?
Fear is common.
You may worry about:
• Saying the wrong thing
• Being rejected
• Not knowing enough
• Being asked difficult questions
• Looking foolish
• Losing a friendship
Remember that God does not require you to know everything.
You are called to be a witness.
Start small.
Tell someone what Jesus means to you.
Invite someone to church.
Offer to pray for them.
Share a Christian resource.
Have a conversation.
The more you practise, the more confident you may become.
A Simple Gospel Conversation
A simple Gospel conversation might follow this pattern:
| 1. Ask | Find out what the person believes. |
| 2. Listen | Give them space to explain their thoughts. |
| 3. Share | Explain what you believe about Jesus. |
| 4. Explain | Talk about sin, grace, the cross, resurrection, faith, and repentance. |
| 5. Invite | Offer an opportunity to explore Christianity further. |
| 6. Pray | If appropriate, offer to pray with them. |
| 7. Continue | Keep the relationship open. |
Evangelism does not have to be complicated.
A Simple Way to Explain the Gospel
You can remember the Gospel through five simple truths:
| God |
| God created us and loves us. |
| Sin |
| Sin separates humanity from God. |
| Jesus |
| Jesus came to save us, died for our sins, and rose again. |
| Faith |
| Salvation is received through faith in Jesus Christ. |
| Follow |
| Jesus calls those who believe to follow Him and live as His disciples. |
This provides a simple framework for Gospel conversations without reducing Christianity to a formula.
The Role of the Holy Spirit
Christians do not share the Gospel alone.
The Holy Spirit works in believers and in those who hear the message.
The Spirit gives courage, wisdom, conviction, understanding, and spiritual power.
This is why prayer should surround evangelism.
We are witnesses.
God is the One who changes hearts.
Evangelism Is About Love
At its heart, sharing the Gospel is about love.
• Love for God.
• Love for Jesus.
• Love for people.
We share because we believe the Gospel is good news.
We want others to know the hope we have found in Christ.
That means our evangelism should be marked by:
• Truth without cruelty.
• Grace without compromise.
• Courage without arrogance.
• Conviction without condemnation.
• Faith without fear.
• Love without conditions
Do Not Give Up
Some people may take years to become Christians.
Some may walk away and later return.
Some may reject the message repeatedly.
• Keep praying.
• Keep loving.
• Keep witnessing.
• Keep trusting God.
You may plant a seed without ever seeing the harvest.
Another Christian may water it.
Someone else may eventually see the person come to faith.
The important thing is that we remain faithful to the calling Jesus has given His followers.
14-Day Bible Reading Plan: How To Share The Gospel
Day 1: The Great Commission
Reading: Matthew 28:16–20
Consider Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations.
Day 2: Witnesses for Christ
Reading: Acts 1:1–11
Consider what it means to be a witness for Jesus.
Day 3: The Gospel
Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1–11
Consider the central truths of the Gospel.
Day 4: God’s Love
Reading: John 3:1–21
Consider God’s love and His offer of eternal life through Christ.
Day 5: The Lost
Reading: Luke 15:1–32
Consider God’s heart for people who are lost.
Day 6: The Samaritan Woman
Reading: John 4:1–42
Consider how Jesus engaged someone with a very different background.
Day 7: Your Testimony
Reading: Acts 9:1–22
Consider Paul’s transformation and testimony.
Day 8: Sharing With Gentiles
Reading: Acts 10:1–48
Consider how God opened the Gospel to people from different backgrounds.
Day 9: Speaking With Courage
Reading: Acts 4:1–31
Consider how the early Christians responded to opposition.
Day 10: Explaining Your Faith
Reading: Acts 17:16–34
Consider how Paul communicated the Gospel in a different cultural setting.
Day 11: Grace and Salvation
Reading: Ephesians 2:1–10
Consider why salvation is a gift of God’s grace.
Day 12: Living as a Witness
Reading: Colossians 3:1–17
Consider how Christian character supports Christian witness.
Day 13: Speaking With Grace
Reading: Colossians 4:2–6
Consider how Christians should communicate with those outside the faith.
Day 14: Always Ready to Give an Answer
Reading: 1 Peter 3:13–18
Consider how to communicate Christian hope with gentleness and respect.
Reflection
As you work through this 14-day reading plan, consider these questions:
• Do I understand the Gospel clearly?
• Am I willing to talk about Jesus?
• What prevents me from sharing my faith?
• Do I listen to people before speaking?
• Can I explain what Jesus has done in my life?
• Am I willing to admit when I do not know an answer?
• Do my actions support the Gospel I proclaim?
• How can I show greater compassion to others?
• Who could I begin praying for?
• Who could I invite to explore Christianity?
• How can I use social media and the internet positively?
• Am I trusting the Holy Spirit rather than relying only upon myself?
• Am I willing to continue loving people even when they reject my message?
A Final Encouragement
| You do not need to be perfect to share the Gospel. |
| You do not need to know everything. |
| You do not need to have a degree in theology. |
| You do not need to stand on a platform. |
| You simply need to be willing to point people towards Jesus. |
| Tell your story. |
| Share God’s Word. |
| Answer questions honestly. |
| Listen carefully. |
| Love people genuinely. |
| Pray faithfully. |
| Live consistently. |
| And trust God with the results. |
The Gospel is good news.
It is the message of God’s grace, forgiveness, salvation, hope, and eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Christians have been entrusted with the privilege of sharing that message.
You may never know how one conversation, one prayer, one invitation, one act of kindness, or one testimony could change someone’s life.
• So be willing to speak.
• Be willing to listen.
• Be willing to serve.
• Be willing to love.
• And above all, be willing to point people to Jesus.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO STAY SAFE
Explore
London City Mission 5 ways to keep sharing the gospel
https://www.lcm.org.uk/resources/five-ways-to-keep-sharing-the-gospel
© This website is subject to copyright and belongs to Christian Life Today. If you would like to reuse any of the materials, please contact first via the contact page, thank you.