“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”
– Matthew 10:16 NKJV
We can probably recall our early school days when our teachers/guardians used relatable things like pencils, food, or even cartoon characters to help us understand the principles behind some topics because it was critical for our educational development.
The gospel is the most vital news anyone would hear in their lifetime. We know according to the scriptures that anyone who believes the Gospel is saved, and that anyone who doesn’t is condemned (John 3:16-19). As believers who have believed the gospel, the responsibility has been put on us to get others to hear the same and be saved (Matthew 28:18-20, 2 Corinthians 5: 18,20).
This should birth urgency and also creativity on our paths. If our teachers could come up with relatable fun examples for us to understand educational topics, then we can do much more in the presentation of the Gospel to people.
This is necessary because not everybody we would come across in our quest to spread the gospel has the same background as we do, and we might need to go the extra mile to get them to understand the gospel, and it’s worth it.
Paul gives us an example of this in his letter to the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians thus:
“When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.” – 1 Corinthians 9:22 (NLT)
It is important to know that the Gospel itself never changes, it remains the fact that all men are born with a nature of sin and no one could save themselves (Romans 3:23, 7:14-25). God, out of His love for the world, came as a man and died, thus paying the penalty for the sins of the world (John 1:1-5, 12-14, 3:16, Romans 3:25).
Jesus died, was buried, and raised again on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and anyone who believes this is saved, receiving a new heart, the Holy Spirit and has an assurance of eternal life (Romans 10:9-10, 2 Corinthians 15: 19,21, Ephesians 1:3-8,13-14, 2:1-10). This never changes, but the presentation can change.
Not every presentation of the Gospel must start with, “Jesus loves you”. Although that is great, it can also start with a football analysis or a movie scene or a human rights case or any other relatable thing.
Listen, the Gospel is worth your creativity. You have been more creative with things with less importance. Be more intentional in your presentation of the gospel. Take stock of your audience, and present the gospel to them in ways they can relate to it.
DO THIS: Practice sharing the gospel in relatable ways today. Remember, do not water down the message in your bid to make it relatable.
Bible Reading Plan:
John 11:17-37, 1 John 3:11-18, Job 14, Ezekiel 38-39