How to Share Christ's Love Conversationally & Visually
By Randy D. Raysbrook
Many people feel that to be effective in evangelism they must memorize a complex illustration and a multitude of verses. But the Gospel is most powerful when shared with love, clarity, and simplicity.
One-Verse Evangelism(r) is a simple, interactive way to share Christ's love conversationally and visually. It is based on asking questions and sharing. It's easy to learn because it uses just one verse. One-Verse Evangelism(r) is also sensitive to peoples' busy schedules because it can be shared in just 10 or 15 minutes.
Here's a brief look at how it works. Let's say God's leading you to share the Gospel with your neighbor, Jeff.
Write out Romans 6:23 on a piece of paper or a napkin: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (NIV). Then put your Bible away. Ask Jeff if he would like to see a simple picture based on this verse that will explain God's relationship with people.
Circle
this word and ask, "How would you feel if your boss refused to pay you
the wages that were due to you?" Deep down, we all know that it is only
right that we get what we deserve. Similarly, we earn wages from God for
how we have lived our lives.
Draw
a circle around "sin," asking your friend what he thinks when he hears
this word. You might explain that sin is more an attitude than an
action. It can be either actively fighting God or merely excluding Him
from our lives. You can ask, "Has God ever seemed far away?" If he says
"Yes," add that that's one of the things sin does-it makes God seem far
away. Now draw two opposing cliffs with a gap in between.
Circle this word and ask what thoughts come to mind. Explain that death in the Bible always means some kind of separation.
While
circling this word, mention that it is important because it means that a
sharp contrast in thought is coming. What we have just looked at is bad
news; what follows is good news.
Draw
a circle around this word. Ask, "If wages are what a person earns, then
what is a gift?" Remind your friend that someone must purchase every
gift.
Circle
this and explain that the gift you are talking about is free. It is
from God Himself. It's so special that no one else can give it. Ask,
"How do you feel when someone gives you a special gift?"
Circle
these two words next, and then ask, "How would you define these words?"
Contrast one side of the cliff, death, with the other side, eternal
life. Ask, "What is the opposite of separation from God?"
Draw
these words so they create a bridge between the two cliffs. Help your
friend to consider that every gift has a giver, and only Jesus Christ
can give the gift of eternal life.
Write
this word over the bridge you just drew. Explain that friends trust
each other, and tell your friend that Jesus wants a trusting friendship
with him. All he has to do is admit that he is responsible for the "sin"
of either fighting or excluding God from his life. That is what trust
means-trusting that Jesus wants to forgive us for rejecting Him from our
lives. At this point, you can ask him if he wants to start a
relationship with God that will last forever. If he says "Yes," invite
him to pray a short prayer in his own words, asking Jesus to forgive
him.
Close by reminding him that this simple
illustration shows what God is like: Someone who really cares about
people, especially him. Invite him to read all about it in the Bible,
perhaps beginning in the gospel of John.
You may order this booklet from NavPress, or call (800) 366-7788.
