Gospel Simplified

An Eight Word Gospel Summary:

[Do you ever find that your mind is in a jumble when you want to present the Gospel? Here is a summary to cover the main points]

• God loves.

• We sin.

• Jesus saves.

• We repent.

Just like we do when we have found a cure for an illness, we have natural ways to talk about the Good News. The ways can be as varied as our knowledge of the Gospel and as our love for people allows. The summary above is a checklist to make sure that the main points are covered. It is also a checklist that we are living the Gospel.

God loves

Like a doctor is concerned for the sick, so Jesus mixed with sinners. His very presence with them was a sign of God’s love. Every often people are not aware of God’s love. So it is important, at some point in a conversation to tell or remind them of God's personal love for them.

We sin

Often people are very aware of their sins, though they might use another word for their sins, such as ‘weaknesses’, ‘failings’, ‘mistakes, ‘work-in-progress’ and so on. Sometimes people do not admit their sins or even that sin exists. You will probably have to build up trust with them; but find out how they have been hurt or harmed by others. You can lead the conversation to how they have hurt or harmed others. Then show them that they have been involved in sin-against-others.

Jesus saves

Some people will be aware of their sin against the all-loving God. Others may need to know that their sins against others are also sins against God because God has made other people in ‘his image.’ Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, did not sin. But, on our behalf, he was tested by Satan and remained obedient to God his eternal Father by submitting to death on a cross.

We repent

Help them to become friends with God as their father by admitting their sins and by accepting that God’s forgiveness has been won for them by the death of Jesus. Then advise them on how to live like Jesus in the power of his Spirit as God’s adopted children.