Lesson 3
Sharing the Gospel Using John 3:16
Use this most familiar Bible verse to explain
God’s message to mankind.
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John 3:16 GOOD NEWS…made simple!
Lesson 3
Sharing the Gospel using John 3:16
John 3:16 is the most recognized verse in the world.
It contains God's main message to man - how to be made right in God's sight.
It shows how to begin experiencing the LIFE God desires for us - now and forever.
It addresses basic needs only God can fully meet: love, acceptance, belonging, purpose,
forgiveness, provision and the hope of living forever with God in heaven.
Below are suggestions for leading into sharing the "GOOD NEWS".
Also note the COACHING TIPS provided for sharing your faith.
LEADING INTO SHARING THE GOSPEL
START by ASKING A QUESTION, something COACHING TIP:
like... ASK PERMISSION TO SHARE
Have you ever heard of John 3:16... It shows respect. And their answer will tell you
if you should proceed.
It's a very important verse in the Bible. It Also it helps you as a witness to not have to
contains God's main message to mankind and "force it to happen".
what He desires for us...
If they say "no", take it as an indication that
May I share with you what I've discovered in God would not have you share with them at
this verse? (or what God wants us to have and this time. Thank them and silently pray for an
experience) opportunity sometime in the future.
USE THESE 5 KEY QUESTIONS TO GUIDE THE COACHING TIP:
CONVERSATION MEMORIZE THEM
1. What does God want us to There isn't a lot to memorize with this
experience? (Talk about LIFE.) method. However, memorizing these 5
questions early on in your learning will go a
2. What keeps us from experiencing LONG way in helping you become
this? (Talk about the WORLD (sin).) comfortable, confident and competent in
sharing the Gospel.
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3. How does God feel about this? (Talk about
GOD's nature.) Once memorized, they will easily guide what
you want to say. With a little study and
4. How did God solve our practice, it will come natural.
problem? (Talk about the SON (Jesus).)
Most of you know how to share your faith
5. How do we begin to experience what God better than you think. Usually it's just a matter
desires? (Talk about BELIEVES.) of organizing what you ALREADY KNOW!
SHOW THEM JOHN 3:16 COACHING TIP:
EMPHASIZE WORDS IN BOLD
For GOD so loved the WORLD that He gave His
one and only SON that whoever BELIEVES in These 5 key words serve as "talking points" as
Him will not perish but have eternal LIFE. you explain the Gospel.
EXPLAIN THE GOSPEL Once you're in a spiritual conversation and
have obtained permission to share, explain
the Gospel using John 3:16.
(Below is an example along with "coaching
tips" for each question.)
(Question #1)
COACHING TIPS:
What does God want you to experience? Ask the 1st Question - You ask it just to guide
the conversation. Just to set the stage for
[Talk about LIFE...something like this.] what you first want to talk about. (You're not
expecting them to give an answer.)
Real LIFE is what God desires for you. He
wants you to experience "real life" that You might say something like, "Let's first
addresses "real needs". Life to the full both consider 'what God wants us to have and
now and forever (eternally). experience'. As we look at John 3:16, He's
referring to LIFE but it's much more than just
God wants you to know His acceptance of you, breathing and existing on this earth."
right NOW, and experience His love,
forgiveness and peace. Then explain how God wants to impact our
lives now and...forever.
It means to experience hope and Now: By experiencing His love, acceptance,
His help now and throughout your life. peace, purpose, etc.
(What the Bible refers to as the "abundant" or
And to discover and life with real purpose and "full" life.)
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EMPOWERED to do what is right in His sight. Forever: Having the assurance of going to
Plus the hope and assurance of living with heaven eternally with God.
God FOREVER in heaven. [Note this message addresses basic
needs people have and long to have met.
These are desires and needs we have, but... These are needs that only God can
fully address. As a result, many people will
identify with this message.
[Choose several key words/phrases that would
help you remember this.] Give an example or two how God has helped
you and made a difference in your life. If they
are going through a difficult time, point out
that God cares and wants to help them too.]
[General Suggestion: Focus on LIFE
benefits...NOW and FOREVER.]
(Question #2) COACHING TIPS:
Use the 2nd question to guide the
What keeps you from experiencing it? conversation
[Talk about the WORLD (our sin)...something Instead of bluntly accusing calling someone
like this.] sinful, it can be helpful to start talking about
sin by looking at a "broken" world and why it
This is a broken world. It has a disease is that way. Secondly, noting we are "all
called SIN. Why? Because it is the home of sinners" which would include the person you
sinful people. are speaking with.
Each one of us is a sinner - we all fall short of Helping people realize their sin and
God's perfection. We tend to ignore Him and consequences help them realize their need of
do things or have thoughts that are not a Savior. Note that sin is anything we do, say
pleasing to a holy and perfect God. or even think that is not pleasing to God. (The
10 commandments quickly reveal sinfulness.)
Our sin creates a division
and SEPARATION from Him. This breaks our As sinners we stand guilty and already
relationship with God now and will result in "condemned" by God - we must be rescued.
a permanent separation from His presence.
Consider how much you want to talk about
That's what is meant by "perish" referring to a hell. Saying the word "hell" sometimes slams
place God calls hell - a place without light, love the door on a conversation. Will it help or will
and Him. it shut down the conversation? Look to the
Holy Spirit to guide you. Maybe just talking
But God cares about you so... about "going to be with God in heaven" would
be sufficient.
[Choose several key words/phrases that would [General Suggestion:
help you remember this.] Focus on… SIN and SEPARATION.]
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(Question #3) COACHING TIPS:
Use the 3rd question to guide the
How does God feel about this? conversation
[Talk about GOD...something like this.] Here is where you point out that God loves
us but He is also just and must punish sin.
God LOVES you and wants you to experience
His love. But in His love, He solved our problem in
Jesus.
Yet He's holy, perfect and JUST therefore He
must punish sin. His perfect justice requires [General Suggestion: Focus on...
that He punish sin. God's LOVE and JUSTICE.]
Because He loves you, God doesn't want you
to perish. He doesn't want you to be
separated from Him forever because of your
sin.
And God wants to help you break the
problems it causes today through a close
relationship with Him.
So God, in His love for you, did something to
solve your problem!
[Choose several key words/phrases that would
help you remember this.]
(Question #4) COACHING TIPS:
Use the 4th question to guide the
How did God solve your sin problem? conversation
[Talk about the SON...something like this.]
Point out that the "Son" refers to Jesus.
God solved your sin problem in Jesus. He is
the "SON'. Point out that Jesus IS God...in the flesh (John
1:1 and 14).
Jesus is both GOD and man. He lived a
sinless, perfect life and didn't deserve to be Point out that He came to die taking the
punished. punishment of our sin. Because He is the
infinite God He could take all of our sin.
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But Jesus DIED on the cross taking upon Because He was and is "perfect" Jesus is
Himself the punishment you deserve. the perfect sacrifice.
Then Jesus rose from death to live forever. Make sure to point out that Jesus rose from
the dead - He (God) is alive today to help us
And Jesus wants you to experience life to the through a personal relationship with Him!
full now and forever in relationship with Him.
[General Suggestion: Focus on... Jesus
being GOD and His DEATH.]
[Choose several key words/phrases that would
help you remember this.]
(Question #5)
COACHING TIPS:
How do you begin experiencing 'real' life? Use the 5th question to guide the
conversation
[Talk about BELIEVE...something like this.]
Help them understand what it means to
You need to believe (trust fully) in Jesus. "believe" by referring to words like "trust" and
"faith".
It means to have faith in WHO He is - God in
the flesh. Faith in Jesus being God, the perfect sacrifice.
It means to trust in WHAT Jesus did for you on Trust in His death being sufficient to
the cross. He died to take the full punishment punishment for our sin.
for all your sin so you might be forgiven.
Believing Jesus is alive to walk with us, guide
Jesus is alive and desires to have a personal us and lead us home to heaven with Him
relationship with you. You can begin to someday.
experience life as He desires for you by
receiving or inviting Him into your life. [General Suggestion: Focus on faith
in... WHO Jesus is and WHAT He did for them.]
[Choose several key words/phrases that would
help you remember this.]
ASK THEM COACHING TIPS:
__________, do you sense Jesus speaking to As we witness, we can trust the Holy Spirit to
you to take this step of faith and believe reveal the spiritual presence of Jesus Christ.
(trust) in what He has done for you? The Holy Spirit makes Jesus "real" and
present.
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Make this very personal. Use their name and
simply asking if they sense Jesus presence and
encouragement to respond to His invitation.
Remember, it's really Jesus who is asking to
enter into relationship and receive His
forgiveness.
HELP THEM
(If they are ready to respond to Jesus' COACHING TIPS:
invitation.)
Use A-B-C as a good way to remember what it
Great! You can take that step today. It's as means to make this commitment to respond
simple as A-B-C: and follow Jesus.
Admit that you have sinned and need
His forgiveness. It also can serve as a simple outline for the
Believe in Jesus. That He died taking prayer.
your punishment and rose forever to
offer you life to the full.
Commit to letting Jesus shape your life PRACTICE PRAYING A PRAYER OF
and choose to follow Him as your SALVATION!
leader.
Role play it with another Christian to
Prayer is simply talking to God. It's a way to get comfortable doing it.
express your faith and respond to His
invitation. You don't want to keep you from helping
someone who is ready to respond.
I suggest that we pray right now and tell Jesus
what you want to do.
Are you comfortable praying without my help? If they are not ready to respond:
Otherwise I can help you by leading you in a Thank them and offer to pray for them
prayer. if it seems appropriate.
Leave a tract they can look at later.
Here is a sample of how you can express your Continue to pray for them and, if
desire to follow Him: possible, watch for the opportunity to
talk again later.
Dear Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner and
need Your forgiveness. I believe You died on
the cross to take the punishment for my sin. I
believe You rose again and are alive to help THOSE WHO RESPOND:
me live a life in friendship with You. Thank Getting exposed to the Word of God is
you for Your love and acceptance. Jesus, I crucial. Do what you can to help them
want to commit my life to follow You. Come start reading the Bible.
into my life and change anything that is not Can you invite them to study the Bible
pleasing to You. Amen. with you or a small group?
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Help them find a Christ-centered, Bible
teaching church to attend where they
can be encouraged and supported
Do they have friends that need to hear
this? Offer to go with them to
share this good news or provide them
tracts to give to their friends.
LEADERS SUGGESTIONS FOR LESSON 3
[Note: Depending on how interactive your participants are, this lesson may require more time.]
Using the Leaders Notes, go over the introduction.
Go over Leading Into Sharing The Gospel
o Asking Permission
o Memorizing the 5 Key Questions that guide you as you explain the Gospel
Go over each Key Question and use the Coaching Tips to share what to emphasize
in answering each question.
Point out that there isn’t a precise way to answer them so they don’t have to memorize
an answer.
Have participants jot down significant words in the box for each question on their John
3:16 Worksheet. Words they will use to help remember what they want to talk about to
answer the question.
Once you’ve finished and participants have filled out their John 3:16 Worksheets have
them use them to practice with another participant.
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