Turning Everyday Conversations into Gospel Conversations

1. Embrace Your Mission Field: Go, Don't Just Wait

If we're going to reach the millions who have yet to hear the gospel, we need to rethink our current invite strategy.

Rethinking outreach. The traditional "build it and they will come" approach is no longer effective in a society where people are less likely to attend church. Instead, believers must actively engage their communities and take the gospel to where people live, work, and play. This requires a shift in mindset from passively waiting for people to come to church to actively seeking opportunities to share the gospel in everyday life.

Missional context. Understanding the local context is crucial for effective outreach. Statistics reveal a growing number of non-religious individuals, emphasizing the need for believers to be intentional about sharing their faith. For example, in Palm Beach County, Florida, 96% of the population is irreligious and unchurched, highlighting the immense mission field that exists within the community.

Multiplication, not addition. To make a significant impact, churches need to focus on multiplication rather than simply adding members. This involves mobilizing disciples to make disciples, creating a network of neighborhood churches that can reach more people with the gospel. The goal is to empower ordinary believers to become missionaries in their own spheres of influence.

2. Clearly Articulate the Gospel: Death, Burial, Resurrection

The gospel is simply this: Jesus died for our sins, He was buried, and God raised Him from the dead.

Essential message. The gospel is the good news that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again. This message is the foundation of Christian faith and the means by which broken people can be reconciled to God. It's crucial to clearly and accurately communicate this message when sharing the gospel with others.

Why it's good news. The gospel offers hope and restoration to a broken world. It provides a way for individuals to escape brokenness and experience God's design for their lives. Through repentance and faith in Jesus, people can receive forgiveness, healing, and a new purpose.

Unpacking the gospel. Understanding the key elements of the gospel is essential for effective communication. This includes knowing who Jesus is (God's Son), why He died (for our sins), and what His resurrection means (victory over death). By unpacking these truths, believers can confidently share the gospel with others.

3. Turn Everyday Conversations into Gospel Opportunities

These are ordinary people who have seized the moment to turn everyday conversations into gospel conversations.

Seizing opportunities. Everyday conversations provide countless opportunities to share the gospel. By being attentive and sensitive to the needs and concerns of others, believers can turn ordinary interactions into meaningful gospel conversations. This requires a willingness to step out of comfort zones and engage in spiritual discussions.

Natural flow. Gospel conversations don't have to be forced or awkward. They can flow naturally from everyday topics, such as problems, issues, or concerns that people share. By listening empathetically and offering helpful insights, believers can create a safe space for spiritual dialogue.

Gospel filter. The gospel should be the lens through which we view all conversations. By allowing the gospel to guide our interactions, we can discern when and how to share the good news with others. This involves being prayerful, discerning, and sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading.

4. Transition Gracefully: From Problems to the Gospel

The single greatest obstacle to getting church members to share their faith is their inability to transition the conversation to spiritual matters.

Overcoming obstacles. Transitioning to spiritual matters can be challenging, but it's essential for sharing the gospel effectively. Many believers struggle with knowing how to shift the conversation from everyday topics to spiritual truths. However, with practice and intentionality, this skill can be developed.

The power of prayer. Prayer is the foundation for effective gospel conversations. By praying for opportunities and for the right words to say, believers can prepare their hearts and minds for sharing their faith. Prayer also helps to align our hearts with God's heart for the lost.

Transition statement. A well-crafted transition statement can help bridge the gap between everyday conversations and the gospel. For example, "I haven't been through the exact situation that you just mentioned, but I have had similar problems. Can I share something with you that has really helped me?" This statement creates an opening for sharing personal experiences and spiritual insights.

5. The 3 Circles: A Simple, Reproducible Tool

Our tool trains people to turn everyday conversations into gospel conversations.

Visual aid. The 3 Circles is a simple, visual tool that helps to explain the gospel in a clear and concise way. It consists of three circles representing God's design, brokenness, and the gospel. By drawing and explaining these circles, believers can effectively communicate the core message of Christianity.

The script. The 3 Circles follows a simple script that begins with God's design for our lives, then moves to our departure from that design through sin, leading to brokenness. It then presents the gospel as the solution to brokenness, offering repentance and faith in Jesus as the path to recovery and pursuing God's design.

Customization. The 3 Circles is a flexible tool that can be customized to fit individual styles and contexts. Believers can use different verses, examples, and explanations to make the tool their own. The key is to practice and become comfortable using the tool in various situations.

6. Invite a Response: Red, Yellow, or Green Light

God is making His appeal through us.

Extending the invitation. After sharing the gospel, it's important to invite a response. This involves asking the person where they see themselves within the 3 Circles and if there's anything preventing them from repenting and believing the gospel. The invitation is a crucial step in the gospel conversation.

Three responses. People may respond to the gospel in different ways: red light (rejection), yellow light (hesitation), or green light (acceptance). Being prepared for each of these responses is essential for effective evangelism. Each response is an opportunity to further the conversation.

Handling responses. A "green light" response involves leading the person in a prayer of repentance and faith. A "yellow light" response involves offering further resources and opportunities for spiritual growth. A "red light" response involves graciously acknowledging their decision and leaving the door open for future conversations.

7. Rapid Obedience: Train and Release New Believers

New believers go from converted to commissioned instantly using the principles found in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21.

Immediate commissioning. New believers should be immediately trained and released to share the gospel with others. This involves equipping them with simple tools and strategies for turning everyday conversations into gospel opportunities. Rapid obedience is a key factor in multiplying disciples.

Essential stimulus. New believers are an essential stimulus in multiplying movements. They have a unique perspective and a passion for sharing their newfound faith with others. By empowering them to become disciple-makers, churches can accelerate the spread of the gospel.

Training and equipping. Churches should prioritize training and equipping new believers to share the gospel, baptize, and teach others to obey Jesus' commands. This involves providing them with the tools, resources, and support they need to be effective disciple-makers. The goal is to create a culture of multiplication within the church.

8. Markers of a Multiplying Movement: Vision, Prayer, Tools, and More

Multiplying movements love accountability.

Expanded vision. Leaders in multiplying movements have a clear vision for reaching the lost and are committed to consistently keeping the big picture in front of people. They continually urge believers to pursue the lost and relentlessly train believers to share the gospel.

Focused prayer. Prayer aligns our hearts with God's heart for the lost. It helps us tune in to God's work in God's way. Focused prayer is an integral part of any sustainable multiplying movement.

Simple, reproducible gospeling tools. Movements that are multiplying have developed simple gospeling tools that are reproducible and reproducing. A reproducible gospeling tool is one that a new believer can easily grasp and share with others.

Abundant seed sowing. Multiplying movements recognize that the size of the harvest is directly connected to the amount of seed the sowers scatter. The gospel advances when people sow regularly and generously, not erratically and sparingly.

Frequent, intentional training. Multiplying movements are just as committed to training as any professional athlete. They think more like trainers than teachers. They practice, practice, practice, and then practice some more.

Rapid obedience. Multiplying movements embrace the biblical model of immediately commissioning new believers to share the gospel. In fact, new believers are an essential stimulus in multiplying movements.

Generational discipleship. A disciple is someone who has repented and believed in Jesus, been baptized, and joined Jesus' mission of making disciples through the local church. Multiplying movements equip people to be disciple makers by giving them the tools they need to share the gospel, baptize, and teach others to obey.

Loving accountability. Multiplying movements love accountability. They realize too much is at stake to leave to happenstance. They set and review "go and grow" goals at each gathering.

Celebrating stories. It's important to take time to celebrate God's reconciling work. The spiritual battle for those actively engaged in advancing the gospel can be burdensome and difficult.

Multiplying churches. When disciples multiply, new churches spring up—churches under trees, in schools, and in homes, and even churches in churches. They meet on different days of the week and have varying leadership structures.

Last updated: February 25, 2025