Sharing the Gospel

Team Study Guide

ABBREVIATED LESSONS 1–3

Table of ContentsLesson One What is the Gospel? 1 Scripture Reference: Ephesians 2:1-19 1 Key Lesson Concepts 2 Personal Reflection Activity 3 Hymn: “At Calvary”, Hymns of Zion 3 Challenge Applications for Your Day 4

Lesson Two Speaking the Gospel 5 Scripture Reference: Romans 1:1-17 5 Key Lesson Concepts 6 Personal Reflection Activity 7 Hymn: “Come Thou Fount”, Tabernacle Hymns 7 Challenge Applications for Your Day 8

Lesson Three Personal Positioning 9 Scripture Reference: Jude 17-25 9 Key Lesson Concepts 10 Personal Reflection Activity 10 Hymn: “Ready”, Hymns of Zion 11 Challenge Applications for Your Day 11

Prayer List 12Gospel Outlines 13

Sharing the Gospel

Team Study Guide

ABBREVIATED LESSONS 1-3

Table of Contents

Sharing the Gospel

1

Goals

• Learn to know the gospel message of salvation. Discover methods to be clear in our understanding of the gospel message.

• Learn to love the gospel and recognize it in the culture around us.

Scripture -- Ephesians 2:1-19 See the Gospel in Scripture.

1 And you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this

world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good

works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh,…

12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world;

13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

What is the Gospel? Lesson 1

Our Brokennessv1-3

God’s Holinessv4-5

Life v5-7

Our Professionv8

Our Profession/Life v10

Our Brokennessv11-12

Christ’s Sacrificev13-16

4 Sharing the Gospel

notes

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off; and to them that were nigh.

18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow

citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.

Key Lesson Concepts

What is the Gospel?

The gospel is the good news of how fallen mankind can be reconciled to God by grace through faith in the redemptive work of his son Jesus, and transformed in heart and mind by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Reference Bookmark for further explanation.)

Christ’s Sacrificev13-16

Life v17-19

Lesson 1 - What is the Gospel?continued

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Personal Reflection ActivityReflect on your testimony. Write in the blanks how your personal testimony fits into these G-O-S-P-E-L elements.

Your Brokenness

Christ’s Sacrifice

Your Profession

Your Abundant Life Now

Hymn – “At Calvary”, Hymns of ZionAs you sing, try to identify G-O-S-P-E-L elements in this hymn.

V1 Years I spent in vanity and pride, Caring not my Lord was crucified, Knowing not it was for me He died On Calvary.

V2 By God’s Word at last my sin I learned; Then I trembled at the law I’d spurned, Til my guilty soul imploring turned To Calvary.

V3 Now I’ve giv’n to Jesus ev’rything, Now I gladly own Him as my King, Now my raptured soul can only sing Of Calvary.

V4 Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan! Oh, the grace that bro’t it down to man! Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span At Calvary!

ChorusMercy there was great, and grace was free; Pardon there was multiplied to me; There my burdened soul found liberty, At Calvary.

Our Brokenness/Christ’s Sacrifice

God’s Holiness/Our Profession

Our Profession(Repentance)

God’s Holiness/Christ’s Sacrifice

notes

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Lesson 1 - What is the Gospel?continued

• See the gospel theme in everyday living. (ex. rebuilding homes in South Carolina)

• Reflect on your testimony and how it fits into other gospel outlines – God/Man/Christ/Response and Romans Road (See Gospel Outlines on page 13).

• Read the Scripture in II Corinthians 5:17-21. Pick out four elements of the gospel.

Challenge Applications For Your Day

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Goals

• Establish why we should share the gospel to believers. • Learn how we can share the gospel to believers.

Scripture -- Romans 1:1-17

1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.

2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures.)

3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spririt of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead;

5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name.

6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ; 7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints; Grace

to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 8 First I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your

faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel

of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established.

12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

14 I am debtor both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

Speaking the Gospel Lesson 2

Look for teaching the gospel. v3-4

Watch how Paul encourages with the gospel. v5

Paul is speaking the gospel to believers. v6-8

Comfort in mutual sharing. v12

Paul preaches the gospel v14-15

Paul is modeling the gospel through gracious, holy living. v9-11

Paul’s LOVE for the gospel.

v16-17

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth: to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Key Lesson Concepts

Speaking the gospel can be done every day!

• It begins with You…rehearsing the truths of God’s promises for spiritual health and growth.

• We then help family members by speaking the gospel into their lives.

• We further speak the gospel to our church family through encouraging them. This is vital to the spiritual health of our brotherhood.

• The outgrowth of actively speaking the gospel to ourselves, our family and church family naturally extends to the lost in our community and world.

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Lesson 2 - Speaking the Gospelcontinued

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Personal Reflection ActivityIf you are a professing believer in Jesus Christ, you can write your name in the blanks of these scripture verses from Titus 3 (v3-7).

v3 For ___________ himself/herself also was sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

v4 But after that the kindness and love of God __________’s Saviour toward man appeared.

v5 Not by works of righteousness which __________ has done, but according to his mercy he saved ______________, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

v6 Which he shed on _______________ abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

v7 That being justified by his grace, ___________ should be made an heir according to the hope of eternal life.

Note; For purposes of this exercise, words in italics were modified to fit sentence tense.

Hymn – “Come Thou Fount”, Tabernacle HymnsWhen you sing this hymn, you will be “speaking the gospel” to yourself through song. The pronouns have been highlighted in bold to make it personal to you.

V1 Come, thou Fount of ev’ry blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise.Teach me some melodious sonnet, Sung by flaming tongues above;Praise the mount — I’m fixed upon it — Mount of Thy redeeming love.

V2 Here I raise mine Ebenezer; Hither by thy help I’m come;And I hope, by Thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home.Jesus sought me when a stranger, Wand’ring from the fold of God;He, to rescue me from danger, Interposed His precious blood.

V3 O to grace how great a debtor, Daily I’m constrained to be!Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, Bind my wand’ring heart to Thee:Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love;Here’s my heart, O take and seal it; Seal it for Thy courts above.

notes

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Lesson 2 - Speaking the Gospelcontinued

Speak the gospel to a professing believer on your work team today. Below are a few examples of what this conversation could look like:

• You are dead to sin and alive to God through Jesus Christ…Romans 6:11

• You have no more condemnation… Romans 8:1

• You are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus… Ephesians 2:10

Note; For these examples, the Bible verses have been modified to be more conversational.

Teach – Speak – Model

Challenge Applications For Your Day

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Goals

• Become more grounded in the Holy Spirit in our prayer and daily walk.

• Allow God’s loving compassion to align our thoughts and actions toward the unbeliever.

Scripture -- Jude 17-25

As you read, consider where you started with the gospel and what you can now do to bring the gospel to the unsaved.

17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.

21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

22 And of some have compassion, making a difference;23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating

even the garment spotted by the flesh. 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to

present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.

25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Personal Positioning Lesson 3

Before we were saved, we too walked as the ungodly. v17-19

Speaking the gospel to ourselves, grounded in prayer in the Holy Spirit. v20-21

We are encouraged to reach out to the lost with compassion. v22-23

God extends his grace to us as we reach out to the unsaved. This is God’s work! v24-25

We have been brought out of the miry pit and placed on the rock of salvation. With one hand on the cross (grounded in gospel truth), we reach out with grace and compassion to our unsaved family, friends and neighbors.

Key Lesson Concepts

What does “personal positioning” mean? Preparing self /our heart to share the gospel with others.

How can we position ourselves to share the gospel?

• With the help of the Holy Spirit and motivated by the gospel, sustain a pattern of good works including our speech, decisions and actions.

• Allow the Holy Spirit to produce in us a sanctified, holy and overcoming life. (Acts 1:1-8)

• Spend time with God in Prayer. (Acts 1:12-14)

o Seek to know God’s will for your life and in reaching out to the unsaved.

o Ask for the lost to become saved.

• Love God – become willing to extend his loving compassion that he showed toward us to the unbeliever.

• Demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit.

Personal Reflection Activity

In the circles of intersection, write down four groups of people with whom you interact on a regular basis. (ex. people at the gym where you exercise).

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Lesson 3 - Personal Positioningcontinued

YOU

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Hymn – “Ready”, Hymns of ZionWhen you sing this hymn, consider how these concepts from today’s lesson make you ready.

“Understanding of Christ’s sacrifice makes me ready to suffer for him.” V1 Ready to suffer grief or pain, Ready to stand the test;

Ready to stay at home and send, Others if He sees best.

“Communing with God in prayer, waiting on the Holy Spirit.” V2 Ready to go, ready to bear, Ready to watch and pray;

Ready to stand aside and give, Till He shall clear the way.

“Earthly cares gone. Committing a gospel outline to memory. Anchored to the cross”

V3 Ready to speak, ready to think, Ready with heart and brain; Ready to stand where he sees fit, Ready to stand the strain.

“Compassion toward the lost.” V4 Ready to speak, ready to warn, Ready o’er souls to yearn;

Ready in life, ready in death, Ready for His return.

ChorusReady to go, Ready to stay, Ready my place to fill;Ready for service, lowly or great, Ready to do His will.

Through the leading of the Holy Spirit, look for someone you intersect with in the community today and pray for them. Share your experience below.

Challenge Applications For Your Day

14 Sharing the Gospel

Prayer List

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Gospel OutlinesRomans RoadRomans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

God, Man, Christ, Response*God - God is the creator of all things (Gen. 1:1) and made us in his image to know him (Gen. 1:26-28). He is perfectly holy, loving, worthy of all worship, and will punish sin (1 John 1:5, Rev. 4:11, Rom. 2:5-8).

Man - All people, though created good, have become sinful by nature (Gen. 1:26-28, Ps. 51:5, Rom. 3:23) and by choice (Rom. 2:4-6, Rev. 20:12). As a result, all people are alienated from God, hostile to God, and subject to the wrath of God (Eph. 2:1-3).

Christ - In his great love, God became a man in Jesus, lived a perfect life, and died on the cross, thus fulfilling the law himself and taking on himself the punishment for the sins of all those who would ever turn and trust in him. He rose again from the dead, showing that God accepted Christ’s sacrifice and that God’s wrath against us had been exhausted (John 1:1, 1 Tim. 2:5, Heb. 7:26, Rom. 3:21-26, 2 Cor. 5:21, 1 Cor. 15:20-22).

Response - He now calls us to repent of our sins and to trust in Christ alone for our forgiveness. If we repent of our sins and trust in Christ, we are born again into a new life, an eternal life with God (Mark 1:15, Acts 20:21, Rom. 10:9-10).

*A simple and memorable summary of the gospel to help you with sharing God’s good news with people. Adapted from The Gospel and Personal Evangelism by Mark Dever.

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