How to Share the Gospel with Integrity: Two Halves of a Whole {Part 1: Integral Practice}

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”  1 Peter 3:15

We live in confusing times.  The lines of morality blurred to the point of oblivion.  There is virtually nothing sacred that cannot be easily swept away by the surging tide of culture.  The church, while standing strong at certain times and places, faces an identity crisis where the debate is easily mired in the surrounding confusion.

But our God is NOT a God of confusion.  And the timelessness of His nature, His Word supremely manifested in the fulfillment of the Gospel of His Son propels us to walk ahead as those who fearlessly, resolutely, and clearly share the Good News.

I believe that there are two halves that form the whole of our integrity as those who embody and proclaim the Gospel before a watching world.

The first half I would call Integral Practice {Preparation}.

By this I mean that we combat the confusion, and cut through the debates of how’s, when’s and our fear-filled if’s by simply being prepared.

Prepare your communication:   It is essential that we can clearly, succinctly and fully explain the essentials of the Gospel with words when the Holy Spirit leads us to exactly the right time to speak them.

If you are reading this and you are wondering if you could explain the Gospel with simple, truth-filled, Bible-breathed clarity, I propose a quick exercise:

Take five minutes RIGHT NOW and explain to a mirror, or write on paper with words and possibly pictures, exactly how you would share the Gospel.

How did it go?  Are you prepared?

Even if you think you are ready, we can all grow in our ability to effectively share the Gospel.  Some or even many of you know you are ill-prepared for something so important.  Just as no athlete would enter a game or match without having disciplined himself or herself to practice, so we must approach something infinitely more important.

Here are some tools to prepare yourself to ‘give an answer for the hope in you’.

·A five-minute video tutorial {and written explanation} for a pictorial and Scriptural representation of the Gospel called the Diagram.

·The Knowing God Personally booklet and here you may order your own copies to carry with you and leave with those with whom you share.

Prepare your life:  I believe that the LORD will lead you in opportunities to clearly communicate the Gospel through words.  An excellent resource is available. The Your Personal Ministry website helps you map out your life and brings clarity to the opportunities currently before you and for which the Lord is preparing you in the future.

Practice Prayer Perpetually:  When there is a chance to share the Good News, the most natural thought must be to bathe it in prayer.  This will become second nature if your communication preparation and life preparation are also covered in prayer.  The truth is that our God will always, always, always answer and give us opportunities to share the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.  It is also true that He calls us to pray without ceasing.  This is a power-packed duo that NOTHING can stand against!

I pray now, that you, friend, are simply encouraged to be prepared.  Pray against the guilt or doubt or whatever else might keep you from a sense of expectation as to what our Great God desires to do through YOU! 

I hope you will join me for Part Two of this series ‘Practical Integrity’ as we look at what it means to carry deep in our heart of hearts the truth of the Gospel we eagerly hope to share.

About Abby

Abby is a small-town loving, big city adventurer.  She and her husband have worked with high school students most of their lives!  Since their internship in Budapest, Hungary in 2005-2006, they have been working with the ministry of CRU.  In May of this year, they moved to Hungary answering God's call to work long-term with the students of Central and Eastern Europe.  Abby loves to laugh, especially at herself, has a passion for God and making Him known and is ever learning how to do that with three small children, ages 5, 3 and one month.  She wouldn't trade the journey for anything!  She blogs regularly at Fan the Flame   

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