Adorning the Gospel

John Cleary
1 Peter 2:12-15

As believers in Christ, we are called to stand out as lights and help bring the Gospel to others in our community in part because of God's own pursuit of His people and in response to Jesus' example. We can begin moving toward this call through prayers for our own heart change and for the lost around us. We can also start where we are today, beginning to adorn the gospel in the very neighborhoods, workplaces, and organizations in which we are already immersed.

God Space - Where Apologetics Happen Naturally

Doug Pollock
1 Peter 2:12-15

Christian author, Doug Pollock, illustrates helpful evangelism strategies and goals through a conversation he once had with a woman while on a flight. As he describes the story, he highlights listening to the Spirit's prompting, asking questions to show interest in a person's life, and finding common ground. As he bridges the conversation into a spiritual topic, he remains a curious listener but also speaks up to help point out to the woman what she has really revealed that she believes. Through this example, we can gain numerous helpful tools for our own evangelism.

Jesus on the Cross

Ryan Lowery
Psalms 22:1-22

On the cross, Jesus cried out three things. Jesus demonstrates God's love as he prays for those cursing him in the midst of his suffering. He also quotes Psalm 22 in order to show that things are going exactly according to God's plan. Finally, he proclaims that the work of atonement is finished. We are left with the task of telling others about his sacrifice.

Nothing but the Gospel

Doug Patch
Galatians 1:6-10

In the book of Galatians, Paul vehemently opposes false teaching that adds works to the message of the gospel. Essentially, the gospel says that Jesus' death on the cross paid for our sins, and that if we want forgiven, we can ask him for it. Christians can increase their trust in God's grace by remembering that His Spirit will transform their hearts and seeking to apply His gifts to their lives.

How to Instill God's Love

Jim Leffel
1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul describes the way that he loves the church. He explains how the gospel reveals God's amazing love for us that is far beyond our limited conceptions of love. The example Paul gives is of one who loves in a tender and nurturing way like a mother, but also one who loves with the toughness and instruction of a father. We should seek to embody both the toughness and tenderness of Biblical love.

The Last Supper

Ryan Lowery
1 Corinthians 11:23-25

As they eat the Passover meal, Jesus gives it a new meaning for his followers. Jesus teaches that he will suffer, and that he will not eat a Passover meal again until the true meaning of passover is fulfilled. The point of communion is to how Jesus broke his body and shed his blood so that we can be reconciled to God, and formed together into a community of love. Unfortunately, Jesus' disciples were too busy thinking about themselves to think about his sacrifice.

The Bread of Life

Scott Risley
John 6:14-69

Jesus performs miracles to show God's power and point to deeper spiritual truth. His claim, "I am the bread of life" was misunderstood and didn't meet the expectations of the disciples or the crowd that followed him. The disciples wanted to influence and significance while the crowd wanted their physical needs met. Properly understood, Jesus' message means we will experience hunger until we come to him. He knows our deepest need for spiritual life and can meet it if we choose to believe in him.

Jesus' Hard Teachings

Conrad Hilario
John 6:40

Jesus challenges people who are following Him with some hard teachings. He confronts them for following Him for only what they get out of it. He challenges them not to live for things that will perish, but for things that will last for eternity. He confronts the idea that they can work their way to God and claims He is the only way. Lastly, He tells them they need to believe in Him because He is the bread of life.

Faith, Hope and Love

Jim Leffel
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Faith, hope, and love are the three New Testament values which demonstrate how what we believe, what we long for, and how we live intersect. All of this is based on the message of the gospel. The natural result of these things for the Thessalonians was to spread this message to others.