06. Can You Explain the Gospel Simply?
Your Disciple-Making Tool Pouch · Part 06
Tool: God's Story, Three Circles or Creation 2 Judgment
1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 1:16
Someone sits across from you and says, "I want to follow Jesus. What do I do?"
Would you know what to say?
Many Christians could tell that person where to attend church. We could recommend a pastor, a book, or a video. But could we sit with them, open Scripture, and explain the good news of Jesus clearly enough that they could understand it, and eventually share it with someone else?
That is a skill every disciple can learn.
I am grateful for gifted evangelists. But Jesus did not give the good news to a small group of specialists and tell the rest of His followers to remain silent. Ordinary believers can learn to share the gospel in ordinary conversations.
The goal is not to deliver a perfect speech. The goal is to help someone understand who Jesus is, why we need Him, what He has done, and how we can respond.
Paul gave the Corinthians the heart of the gospel: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
That is more than advice for improving your life. It is news about what God has done through Jesus.
We were created for a relationship with God, yet we have sinned and gone our own way. We cannot repair that separation by trying harder or becoming religious. Jesus died for our sins and rose again. He calls us to turn to Him, trust Him, and follow Him.
Paul wrote:
"For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes"
Romans 1:16 WEB
The power is in the gospel, not in how impressive we sound.
Still, we should prepare. If the good news matters this much, we can take the time to learn how to explain it.
One tool is Three Circles. You can draw it on a piece of paper or even in the dirt as you talk. It helps you explain:
God's design: God created us to know Him and live according to His good purposes.
Brokenness: Sin leads us away from God's design. We experience brokenness and cannot rescue ourselves from it.
Jesus and the gospel: Jesus died for our sins and rose again. When we repent and believe in Him, He forgives us and begins restoring us to the life He intended.
Another tool is Creation 2 Judgment. It tells the larger story:
God created the world and made people to know Him.
People rebelled against Him, and sin brought separation and death.
Throughout Scripture, God promised a Rescuer.
Jesus came, lived without sin, died for our sins, and rose again.
He now calls people everywhere to turn from sin, trust Him, and follow Him.
You do not have to master both tools this week. Choose one. Learn it well enough to share it in your own words.
A tool gives you a path through the conversation. It does not replace Scripture, prayer, or listening to the person in front of you.
Sharing the gospel is more than getting through all your talking points.
Pause and ask:
"Does this make sense?"
"What questions do you have?"
"Where do you see yourself in this story?"
"Is there anything keeping you from trusting and following Jesus?"
Listen carefully. If you do not know an answer, you can say so and offer to look at Scripture together. You do not need to pretend to know everything.
And if someone wants to follow Jesus, do not leave them with only a moment of decision. Help them take their first steps of obedience. Read Scripture with them. Pray together. Help them connect with other disciples. Teach them to share what they are learning.
The same gospel that reached them can reach someone through them.
We practice many things that matter to us. We rehearse presentations for work. We prepare for important conversations. Yet we sometimes assume we will know how to explain the gospel when an opportunity suddenly appears.
Take a few minutes this week and practice.
Tell a Christian friend, "I'm learning to explain the gospel simply. Would you listen and tell me what was clear and what was confusing?"
Then switch roles. Let your friend practice too.
Try again without reading your notes. Keep the essential message clear: our sin, Jesus' death and resurrection, and the invitation to repent, believe, and follow Him.
Could your friend explain it to someone else after hearing you? That is a useful test of whether you have made it simple enough to reproduce.
The challenge: If someone asked you today how to follow Jesus, could you clearly show them?
Your field assignment: Learn one gospel presentation, Three Circles or Creation to Christ, and practice it with a Christian friend this week. Then pray for an opportunity to share it with someone who does not yet know Jesus.
Do not wait until you can answer every possible question. Learn the message. Practice the tool. Love the person in front of you. Trust God with the results.
Series playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdk_22SqOlNs
Join Zúme with Terry: https://zume.training/join-a-training
Training page: https://internationalafricanmobilization.com/training/terrys-zume-teaching-series/
Next Steps form: https://airtable.com/appUh4Y3McdFcQ8Xg/pagCyMWEWZbPNlyH5/form