1) What is a ‘gospel’ conversation?
There are valuable conversations to have that aren’t centred around Jesus Christ and salvation (building up friendships is so valuable, Christian witness matters so much) but what we are talking about this evening is how to move to gospel conversations. And so the first thing we need to get clear on is what IS and what ISN’T sharing the gospel with people.
Definition of a gospel conversation:
- Deals with the identity, purpose and achievements of Jesus (He is God, he came to save sinners, he died on the cross, rose again, rules now, and is returning to judge and bring home)
- Deals with the real state of the human heart (Genesis 3 stuff, the brokenness of the world, the sin that shows itself in tiny ways and huge ways, our helplessness and need, the uselessness of religion or morality)
- Presses home the need for people to respond (admit you are part of the problem, come to Jesus for forgiveness and a new life of following him)
- Some feedback questions to help us use this framework:
- How might ‘talking with your friend about God’ not meet the criteria (or even Jesus)? (How could you alter it or press it so that it does?)
- How might ‘telling your friend what you do at church’ not meet the criteria? (How could you alter it or press is so that it does?)
- How might talking through the issue of suffering in this world not meet the criteria? (How could you alter it or press it so that it does?)
2) How can we have more gospel conversations?
A very practical and obvious point is that we need relationships with unbelievers so that we have the chance to share the gospel! (ABC, Door-to-Door teams, joining a club, going to the pub, work colleagues etc)
Quickly look at a couple of little STRATEGIES but the bigger issue here is all about CHARACTER.
Strategically:
- The 3 F’s framework is helpful (Facts, Friends, Faith). That simple question “Have you any faith in God?” is very powerful actually. People aren’t used to being asked it but people do like to talk about what they believe.
- Reading good books and watching good videos on the internet can help you to feel more equipped (if that is what is stopping you).
- Being interested in people is very powerful
- Being deliberate (“Look, I have known you for while but I have never asked you this question”)
- Using church events to invite folk to!
Character:
Good to have some strategies but in reality it is far more about our character!
- Humility: We feel entitled to things, like a good reputation, easy relationships etc. Piper here helps us to see that the reality is we are owed nothing. The more we realise this to be true, the more likely we are to sacrifice some of our comfort and give people what they need to hear https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf73BbEblHU
- Appetite: Read, listen to, learn the bible and pray lots about specific people (learning the book of James means that it comes up in nearly every significant conversation that I have).
- Testimony: What has Jesus done for me? Alistair Begg reminds us in this video that the very centre of real Christianity is what Jesus has done for sinners. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk9wgJBoEd8&t=5s
- Boldness: Push a little bit, the guy in this video talks a bit about bridges to the gospel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQvzOSHUkIo
- Patience and non-defensiveness: Augustine and defending a Lion! Don’t get upset when the response isn’t what you hoped. Don’t get angry or defensive when the gospel is challenged. Know that the gospel is powerful and that conversion is 100% God’s job!
Finish with Mark 4 v 26-29.
