How Do I Simply Explain The Gospel?
‘The Gospel’ is a term thrown around often in Christian circles. In order to explain the Gospel to others, it is important to understand what it is exactly. Let’s unpack it quickly…
The word ‘Gospel’ literally means ‘Good News’ and it is mentioned 90+ times in the Bible. Broadly speaking, the Gospel is the whole of scripture; the mega narrative of God’s plan to restore humanity to Himself.
Specifically speaking, the Gospel is the good news about Jesus. The story of who He is and what He did.
Let’s break it down so you know how to explain it in 3 simple steps…
1. God’s Design
God created the world. We can see beauty, purpose and evidence of design all around us. It is impossible to ignore. Just look at the intricate design of plants, the way the moon influences the tide, or the ever-changing colours in a sunset. The Bible tells us that God originally designed a world that worked perfectly — where everything and everyone fit together in harmony. God created us for a purpose. He created us to know Him and to enjoy Him; to live and bring glory and honour to Him.
Read: Genesis 1:31, Psalm 19:1 & Ephesians 2:10
2. Our Brokenness (Sin)
If we look around at society, it is easy to see that humanity is not bringing glory to God. Rather, there is a brokenness in the world. We see it in the evil of terrorism, we see it in war, violence, abuse, deceit and betrayal. In ignorance to God, we could search high and low for the reason of the brokenness, but the truth is, beneath it all, the problem is spiritual.
Really, we are the problem. We have not lived for God, we have not followed His rules and made up our own. We have not valued a relationship with Him. The Bible calls this sin and it means to run from God, trying to do life our own way. Sin is taking the title of God and putting it upon ourselves. It is because of sin that we as humanity have become hostile, not only towards God, but towards others. The Bible says the consequence of sin is death.
Read: Romans 1:25, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23 & Proverbs 14:12
3. The Solution (Jesus)
Brokenness leads to a place of realising a need for help; a remedy, some Good News. God, because of His mercy and great love for us, did not leave us in our brokenness. He sent His Son, Jesus as a solution to our sin problem. Jesus came to us, lived a perfect sin-free life (exampling life by God’s design) and willingly chose to die in our place to pay the penalty for our sin. He then defeated death and rose to life. He did for us what we couldn’t do for ourselves.
Simply hearing this good news is not enough, we must act on it and admit our sinful brokenness, ask God for forgiveness and stop trusting in ourselves. This is when we can begin to understand God’s original design for our lives and the lives of others.
Read: John 3:16, Colossians 2:14, Mark 1:15 & Ephesians 2:8–9
There you go! A simple (but not too simple that you have to re-explain it) version of the Gospel. Remembering the 3 stages and the key parts of each stage will help you feel confident to share the Gospel at any moment.
