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5 Methods of Sharing the Gospel 

THE LATEST / Advancing the Kingdom | Blog

Adrian Despres

October 10, 2024

When having a Gospel conversation with someone, it can be hard to know where to start, but there are many methods of sharing the Gospel that can make it easier. There are 5 effective methods of sharing the Gospel that focus on bridge-building: (1) Worthless Trivia, (2) the FIRE acrostic, (3) the 5 Pieces of Paper illustration, (4) Romans 6:23 with the cross illustration, and (5) sharing your testimony. Each method helps you start spiritual conversations naturally and connect with people where they are. Below, we’ll explore each in detail.

You can use several different strategies to break the ice and facilitate the bridge-building that needs to happen to share your faith. Bridge-building must take place from both sides. It involves you building to the person and them building to you. If at any time the bridge collapses, then the conversation is over. Here are some methods of sharing the Gospel that focus on bridge-building.  

The 5 Methods of Sharing the Gospel at a Glance

# Method What It Does
1 Worthless Trivia Builds rapport through genuine interest in someone’s life
2 The FIRE Acrostic Uses simple questions to open spiritual conversations
3 The 5 Pieces of Paper A physical illustration of sin and surrender
4 Romans 6:23 with the Cross Visual Gospel presentation using Scripture
5 Your Testimony Sharing your own story of life with Jesus

 

1 — Worthless Trivia 

“Worthless Trivia” is one of my favorite methods of sharing the Gospel. It helps to know a little bit about as many things as possible, to be able to have a conversation with anyone about what they do.  

For example, on a flight, the person in the next seat was the president of a company that turned garbage into gasoline. During our discussion of his business, he drew out the chemical formula for the process. He was astonished that I knew something about a hydrocarbon chain. He shared that he had been featured on the cover of US News and World Report magazine and gave me a copy. Then, he asked what I did for a living. A discussion about what being an Itinerant Evangelist means resulted in him crying and giving his life to Christ!  

If you show true interest in someone and what they do, then they will be more open to hearing what you want to share.    

2 — FIRE 

Another of my favorite methods of sharing the Gospel is to use the acrostic FIRE to remember simple icebreaker questions.  

FIRE –    

  • F is for family or friends. Ask questions about their family and friends.  
  • I is for interests. Ask about hobbies, etc.  
  • R is for religious affiliation. Say, “When you get a chance, where do you go to church?”  
  • E is for two exploratory questions.  
    • If you were to die, do you know you are going to heaven?  
    • If you died and were standing before God and He said, “Why should I let you into  
      heaven?”, what would your answer be?  

You must listen carefully to that answer. If they do not communicate that they have turned from their sin and surrendered their life to Christ, then ask them if they would like to hear what the Bible says about the subject. It is very hard for most people to answer no at that point.  

3 — 5 Pieces of Paper 

Another of the best methods of sharing the Gospel is using 5 small pieces of paper to represent every area of someone’s life. Here’s how it works:

  1. Tear a piece of paper into five sections.
  2. Label each piece with an area of life: (1) home, (2) school/work, (3) social life, (4) hobbies/sports/interests, and (5) everything that’s left over.
  3. Place all 5 pieces into the person’s cupped hands. You’ve now placed their entire life in front of them.
  4. Ask the first main question: “In which area or areas do you have sins you’d like to have forgiven?”
  5. Help them define sin if needed. Ray Comfort, an evangelist from New Zealand, uses these defining questions: Have you ever lied? Then you’re a liar. Have you ever stolen anything? Then you’re a lying thief. Have you ever lusted? Then you’re a lying, thieving adulterer. Have you ever hated anyone? You’re a lying, thieving, adulterous murderer (1 John 5:13). These defining questions help those who think they’ve lived a “good life” to see that everyone is a sinner.
  6. Ask the second main question: “Which area or areas do you want Jesus to have total control over?” Watch closely to see if they say they want Jesus to have everything.
  7. If they say they want Jesus to have everything, make sure they’re sincere, and then let them pray. Ask them to place each piece of paper into your hands (symbolic of God’s hands), saying they’re sorry for the sins in each area and that they want to surrender everything to Him.
  8. Wad up the paper in your hand and ask them to try to get it out. After several seconds, tell them to imagine it’s God’s hand. Share that when they pray that prayer, they’re in the Father’s hands, and no one can snatch them out (John 10:28-29).
  9. Close by talking about the importance of studying the Word of God and finding a great church.

4 — Romans 6:23 

How to use the Romans 6:23 method:

  1. Write out Romans 6:23 on a piece of paper.
  2. Draw two cliffs facing each other with a chasm between them.
  3. On the left cliff, draw a person. On the right cliff, write “God.”
  4. Under the person, write the words “wages,” “sin,” and “death,” and explain each.
  5. On the right side, write “gift,” “God,” and “Eternal Life,” and explain each.
  6. Draw a cross bridging the chasm and explain how Jesus’ death on the cross is the way across.
  7. Ask which side they want to be on.

5 — Use Your Testimony 

One of the best methods for sharing the Gospel is simply telling your own story of how you became a Christian.  

(For new believers, this 3-part testimony framework makes it especially simple — here’s how to share your faith as a new Christian using a Before/How/After structure.)

Make sure you 1) talk about what life was like before you met Jesus (could also be about some struggle that Jesus helped you get through).  

Then, 2) talk about when you asked for forgiveness and surrendered, and how that changed everything.  

After this, 3) explain how life has been since the conversion. Life is always up and down but never without hope! Your “God-Story” about how God has shown up for you personally may be just what someone needs to hear. 

Overcoming Fear When Sharing the Gospel

When you are anxious about sharing your faith, know that Paul was also afraid (1 Cor. 2). It is okay if you feel scared. Fear can cause us to pray more and move us to be courageous. If there is no fear, then there can be no courage. Therefore, fear can be your top ally. If you want a fuller toolkit for moving past hesitation, these eight keys to effective evangelism walk through how to prepare hearts and your own readiness to share.

There are many methods of sharing the Gospel. Research and learn several. Pick and choose which ones feel most natural to you. Change them up as often as you like, depending on the circumstances, but keep repentance (turning from sin) and surrender at the core of each. Methods of sharing the Gospel can be as individual and unique as you are! The audience matters too — sharing with family and those closest to you looks different than sharing the Gospel with a stranger. Both require sensitivity to relationship, context, and timing. Behind every method is a foundational truth: understanding the Gospel clearly is what makes any of these methods effective.

Of all five methods, your testimony is the one only you can give. If you have never written yours down, start here—How to Write Your Testimony is a free, step-by-step guide to putting your God-Story into words you can actually share.

For more on what “ministry as unique as you are” looks like, check out the book Plan A by Dwight Robertson! 

 

Continue Exploring: Sharing the Gospel

Evangelism takes many forms, and every believer has a unique role to play. Explore these companion posts to grow in confidence, sharpen your approach, and learn how to share the Gospel in the specific contexts of your everyday life.

Foundations of Evangelism

Sharing the Gospel in Everyday Life

Sharing the Gospel with Specific People

Equipping Others to Share

 

 

 

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