Lesson 6: Spreading the Invitation

“I want to lead others to know God as I do.”

To learn a method for sharing the gospel.

► Why should we share the gospel?

There are many good reasons. Let’s look at the reason the Apostle John gave for inviting people to be saved.

That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ (1 John 1:3).

We have experienced what it means to encounter God and be saved, beginning a relationship with him. Since God loves people (John 3:16), we should care about them and want them to know God. We have a great invitation to share with them.

This presentation of the gospel is concise and memorable. It uses a drawing that will be remembered by anyone who sees it presented. It can be presented in two minutes, or expanded to include discussion and explanation if the listener is interested.

It is not necessary that you be a skilled artist. The drawing is simple, and its simplicity helps the listener remember it.

We will now go through the stages of the drawing, with the explanatory wording to go with each part to be drawn.

The students should look each stage of the drawing as the class leader draws it on something large enough for the class to see. The class leader should try not to add extra explanations into the presentation. It should be short so that the students can learn it easily. After the first demonstration, the class should go on to cover the explanations given in the next section, then go back to practice the presentation.

The words to say are provided along with each part of the drawing to be added.

To view or print this section, click here or find "Bridge Diagram Instructions" in the appendix or additional files.

Part 1

“God created each person to be in fellowship with him and live a blessed life. He did not design life to be full of problems and suffering.”

[Write the word “God” and draw a person.]

Part 2

“Man is separated from God because of sin. The first people sinned, and every person since then has committed sin against God.”

[Draw the separation and write the word “sin.”]

Part 3

“God is a righteous Judge, and sinners will someday be condemned to eternity in hell unless they find mercy and come back into relationship with God.”

[Draw the arrow and write the word “hell.”]

Part 4

“Nothing that we can do brings us back to God or earns mercy ‒ not good works, going to church, religious customs, giving money....”

[Draw arrows with each item in the list.]

Part 5

“Our situation would be hopeless if God had not made a way for us to come back to him. Jesus the Son of God died on a cross as a sacrifice so that we can be forgiven. After three days, he was raised from the dead.”

[Draw the cross.]

Part 6

“But it is not enough just to know this. Each person must individually make the choice to be saved and come back to God. A person must repent, which means to be sorry enough for sin to be willing to quit. A person who repents can receive forgiveness by asking God in prayer.”

[Draw the arrow and write the words “repent” and “receive.”]

Part 7

“Where do you think you are on this diagram? Has there been a special time in your life when you repented of your sins, received God’s forgiveness, and began to live for God; or, are you still separated from God by your sin?”

[Wait for an answer. Many people will admit that they are still separated from God.]

“Are you ready to make this step—to repent, receive forgiveness, and begin living for God? I would be glad to pray with you right now.”

[Pray something similar to the following.]

“Lord, I know I am a sinner and deserve eternal punishment. I am sorry for my sins and willing to quit them. I ask you to forgive me, not because I deserve it, but because Jesus died for me. Thank you for salvation. From this time on, I will live for you.”

After the class leader has demonstrated the presentation, the class should cover the following explanations about the parts of the presentation.

Part 1

The beginning of the presentation can be adapted to apply to the listener. Instead of “life full of problems and suffering,” the evangelist can mention something more specific that relates to the experience of the listener.

Part 2

It is important for the listener to realize that he is personally guilty of sin and separated from God. He is not just in a situation that has resulted from the sin of Adam.

Part 3

This shows the most serious aspect of the sinner’s condition.

Part 4

The purpose of this part is to show the listener that he should not trust in the wrong thing for salvation. This part can be adapted to the needs of the listener. The evangelist should try to name the things that the listener is likely to be trusting in.

Part 5

The simplest way to explain the atonement is to say that “Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice so that we can be forgiven.” The purpose of this part is to help the listener realize that he should depend on the salvation God provided.

Part 6

The evangelist tries to bring the listener to a moment of decision. The listener needs to realize that he must make an individual choice. He needs to know the right definition for repentance, so he knows that repentance is more than regret and more than just saying he is sorry. He needs to know that he should pray to ask God for forgiveness.

Part 7

At this point, the evangelist tries to get the listener to admit his need for salvation. The presentation is designed to help the unsaved person realize that he is unsaved. The question is worded carefully. Many people think they should daily ask for forgiveness while they continue to live in sin. The question asks about a special time when the person is saved and a new life begins. He needs to realize that if he has not experienced conversion, he is still separated from God by his sin. Then, the evangelist offers to pray with him for salvation.

If the listener does not understand his need or is not ready to repent, the evangelist should not push him to pray. If he prays without truly repenting and experiencing conversion, he may have a false assurance of salvation or may believe that conversion cannot happen for him. Either way, he may be less likely to be saved later.

The drawing can be presented quickly. If you have an opportunity to share the gospel, you can simply ask, “May I take two minutes to show you a drawing that illustrates what the Bible says is the way to know for sure that you are saved?” That lets the person know that you are not going to take a lot of his time. If he gets interested and wants to talk about it, then you can take more time.

Usually, people do get interested in the drawing. Often a person will ask to keep the drawing after the evangelist is finished.

Demonstrate the presentation again several times for the students. Avoid inserting extra comments or explanations into the presentation because the students will learn it more easily if it is short. After several demonstrations, various students could take turns demonstrating the presentation to the group, while the members of the group help them remember the details. Then, students could divide into pairs and practice the presentation with each other.

If someone seems already open to hearing you share the gospel, you can simply ask, “May I take two minutes to show you a diagram that illustrates what the Bible says is the way to know for sure that you are saved?”

Opportunities usually appear in conversation. Here are some examples of ways to recognize opportunities and adapt to them.

If a person is complaining about something, after some conversation, ask, “May I take two minutes to show you a diagram that illustrates what the Bible says is the reason life is hard and full of problems?”

If a person seems to be religious, ask him what his most important belief is. Then ask, “May I take two minutes to show you a diagram that illustrates what the Bible says is the most important thing to know?”

If a person is talking about national problems, world hunger or poverty, or the danger of war, ask, “May I take two minutes to show you a diagram that illustrates what the Bible says is the reason the world is like it is?”

Show that the world’s condition is because sinners are separated from God. Do not imply that salvation instantly ends all problems, but show that individual salvation is the beginning of God’s solution. Someday there will be a new heaven and earth, and those problems will not exist for those who are now reconciled to God.

Call for commitment with the following questions:

► Do you think this approach to sharing the gospel is practical?

► Do you think it is something you could do?

► How many will try this week to show this diagram to at least one believer and one unbeliever?

Heavenly Father,

I am glad that you want to save not only me, but also my family, my friends and neighbors, and every person in the world.

Thank you for providing salvation so that every person can be saved and enter this wonderful fellowship that we have with you and with other believers.

You loved the whole world enough to give your Son for them.

Father, help me to be faithful to spread your invitation.

Amen

1. Prepare to carry out your commitment to share the diagram this week.

2. Make a list of the unsaved people that you know you will be able to have conversation with this week. Plan to bring up a subject that will open the door for sharing the gospel.

3. Make a list of some Christians that you could show the diagram to with the goal of helping them feel more equipped to witness.