Effective Strategies for Sharing the Good News

 

Summary

I'm grateful to be back home and share the sweetest thing I know: the good news of Jesus Christ. Today, I want to talk about a strategy for sharing this good news effectively. We all have strategies for sharing difficult news, but when was the last time you considered your strategy for sharing good news? Good news shared poorly can quickly become bad news. We have something wonderful to share about our experiences with Christ, and we must be intentional in how we share it. Thankfully, we are not left to our own devices; the Apostle Paul provides a model for us in Acts 17.

Paul's journey to Athens, a city filled with idol worship, shows us the importance of cultural competency. Athens was a place of intellectual freedom but also idolatrous slavery. Paul was moved by the idolatry he witnessed, which inspired him to share the gospel. He began in the synagogue, preaching to those who believed in God through rule-keeping rather than faith in Jesus. Then, he moved to the marketplace, practicing everyday, everywhere evangelism. Paul understood that sharing the gospel is not a one-time event but a continuous effort.

Paul's encounter with the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers at Mars Hill demonstrates the need for strategic evangelism. He was spirit-led and strategic, combining divine sovereignty with human responsibility. Paul knew what the Athenians believed and used that knowledge to communicate effectively. He began his speech with a classic Greek introduction and complimented their religiosity, showing his understanding of their culture.

Paul was clear about his convictions regarding God and the resurrection. He proclaimed God as the creator, ruler, and judge, emphasizing the resurrection as proof of God's impending judgment. This clarity in belief is essential for effective evangelism. We must know what we believe and trust that God will move when we share the gospel.

Finally, Paul believed in the power of the gospel to inspire a response. Some ridiculed him, others were curious, and some believed. Our responsibility is to share the gospel; the outcome is in God's hands. We must not be afraid of rejection but trust that God will work through our efforts.

Key Takeaways:

- Cultural Competency: Understanding the culture and beliefs of those we wish to reach is crucial. We cannot contend with a culture we do not comprehend. This requires humility and curiosity, as culture is always changing, and we must be willing to grow in our understanding. [01:23:40]

- Clear Convictions: Knowing what we believe about God and the resurrection is essential. Paul was clear about God's role as creator, ruler, and judge. This clarity allows us to share the gospel with confidence and conviction. [01:30:42]

- Everyday Evangelism: Sharing the gospel is not a one-time event but a continuous effort. Paul practiced everyday, everywhere evangelism, sharing the good news wherever he went. We have the power to share the gospel in every situation. [01:14:53]

- Trust in God's Power: We must trust in the power of the gospel to inspire a response. Our responsibility is to share the message; the outcome is in God's hands. We should not be afraid of rejection but trust that God will work through our efforts. [01:38:19]

- Strategic Evangelism: Combining spirit-led guidance with strategic planning is key to effective evangelism. Paul was both spirit-led and strategic, understanding the culture and using that knowledge to communicate effectively. [01:20:44]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:10:19] - Introduction to Sharing Good News
- [01:14:53] - Everyday, Everywhere Evangelism
- [01:20:44] - Engaging with Philosophers
- [01:23:40] - Cultural Competency
- [01:26:42] - Understanding Beliefs
- [01:30:42] - Clear Convictions About God
- [01:38:19] - The Power of the Gospel
- [01:42:00] - The Role of the Resurrection
- [01:45:00] - Trusting God with the Outcome
- [01:48:00] - Final Encouragement and Storytelling

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Acts 17:16-34

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Observation Questions:

1. What was Paul's initial reaction to the idolatry he witnessed in Athens, and how did it influence his actions? [01:14:53]

2. How did Paul demonstrate cultural competency when addressing the people of Athens? [01:23:40]

3. What were the key elements of Paul's message to the Athenians about God and the resurrection? [01:30:42]

4. How did the Athenians respond to Paul's message, and what does this reveal about the power of the gospel? [01:38:19]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why is cultural competency important in sharing the gospel, and how can it affect the way the message is received? [01:23:40]

2. How does Paul's approach to evangelism in Athens illustrate the balance between divine sovereignty and human responsibility? [01:20:44]

3. What does Paul's clear conviction about God and the resurrection teach us about the importance of knowing and articulating our beliefs? [01:30:42]

4. In what ways does the varied response of the Athenians to Paul's message encourage or challenge us in our own evangelistic efforts? [01:38:19]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own cultural context. How can you grow in cultural competency to better share the gospel with those around you? [01:23:40]

2. Consider your personal convictions about God and the resurrection. How can you ensure that you are clear and confident in sharing these beliefs with others? [01:30:42]

3. Paul practiced everyday, everywhere evangelism. Identify one specific place or situation in your daily life where you can be more intentional about sharing the gospel. [01:14:53]

4. How do you handle rejection or ridicule when sharing your faith? What steps can you take to trust more in God's power to inspire a response? [01:38:19]

5. Think of a person in your life who holds different beliefs. How can you engage them in a respectful and meaningful conversation about faith, using Paul's approach as a model? [01:23:40]

6. What are some practical ways you can combine spirit-led guidance with strategic planning in your evangelistic efforts? [01:20:44]

7. Reflect on a time when you shared good news poorly. What did you learn from that experience, and how can you apply those lessons to sharing the gospel more effectively? [01:10:19]

Devotional

Day 1: Understanding Cultural Context is Key
Description:
Cultural competency is essential for effective evangelism. Understanding the culture and beliefs of those we wish to reach allows us to communicate the gospel in a way that resonates with them. Paul’s journey to Athens, a city filled with idol worship, highlights the importance of this approach. He was moved by the idolatry he witnessed, which inspired him to share the gospel. Paul began in the synagogue, preaching to those who believed in God through rule-keeping rather than faith in Jesus. Then, he moved to the marketplace, practicing everyday, everywhere evangelism. This approach shows that sharing the gospel is not a one-time event but a continuous effort. [01:23:40]

Acts 17:22-23 (ESV): "So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: 'Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.'"

Reflection: Think of a cultural or social group you are not familiar with. How can you learn more about their beliefs and practices to share the gospel effectively with them?


Day 2: Clarity in Convictions
Description:
Having clear convictions about what we believe is crucial for sharing the gospel with confidence. Paul was clear about his beliefs regarding God and the resurrection. He proclaimed God as the creator, ruler, and judge, emphasizing the resurrection as proof of God's impending judgment. This clarity in belief is essential for effective evangelism. We must know what we believe and trust that God will move when we share the gospel. [01:30:42]

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (ESV): "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures."

Reflection: What are the core beliefs about God and the resurrection that you hold? How can you articulate these beliefs clearly to someone who asks about your faith?


Day 3: Everyday, Everywhere Evangelism
Description:
Sharing the gospel is not limited to specific events or locations; it is a continuous effort that can happen anywhere. Paul practiced everyday, everywhere evangelism, sharing the good news wherever he went. This approach encourages us to be intentional in our daily interactions, looking for opportunities to share the gospel in every situation. We have the power to share the gospel in every situation, and we should be prepared to do so. [01:14:53]

Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV): "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

Reflection: Identify one person you encounter regularly in your daily routine. How can you intentionally share the gospel with them in a natural and meaningful way this week?


Day 4: Trusting in God's Power
Description:
We must trust in the power of the gospel to inspire a response. Our responsibility is to share the message; the outcome is in God's hands. Paul believed in the power of the gospel to inspire a response. Some ridiculed him, others were curious, and some believed. We should not be afraid of rejection but trust that God will work through our efforts. [01:38:19]

Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV): "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you shared the gospel and felt discouraged by the response. How can you remind yourself to trust in God's power and sovereignty in these situations?


Day 5: Strategic Evangelism
Description:
Combining spirit-led guidance with strategic planning is key to effective evangelism. Paul was both spirit-led and strategic, understanding the culture and using that knowledge to communicate effectively. His encounter with the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers at Mars Hill demonstrates the need for strategic evangelism. By knowing what the Athenians believed, Paul was able to communicate the gospel in a way that resonated with them. [01:20:44]

1 Peter 3:15 (ESV): "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."

Reflection: Consider a specific group or individual you want to reach with the gospel. What strategic steps can you take to understand their beliefs and communicate the gospel effectively to them?

Quotes

I'm grateful to be back home and share the sweetest thing I know: the good news of Jesus Christ. Today, I want to talk about a strategy for sharing this good news effectively. We all have strategies for sharing difficult news, but when was the last time you considered your strategy for sharing good news? Good news shared poorly can quickly become bad news. We have something wonderful to share about our experiences with Christ, and we must be intentional in how we share it. [01:07:04]

Reaching further with the gospel requires having a cultural competency while maintaining clear convictions about God and the resurrection and believing in the power of God to inspire a response. That was the whole sermon right there. That brothers and sisters, reaching further requires you and I to have a cultural competency to be clear about our convictions about God and the resurrection and to, at the end of the day, trust that God and the power of the Holy Spirit will inspire a response in people. [01:12:24]

Paul starts preaching. And it's interesting. Paul goes to the synagogue first and preaches. The Bible says that he preaches to the believing Jews and believing Gentiles. This is interesting to me because it was interesting that as Paul sees us, the first place that he goes is to the synagogue. Because you would think that the synagogue would be the place where people already believe. [01:17:45]

Everyday, everywhere evangelism. I came to tell somebody that evangelism, sharing the good news of Jesus is not a one-time event where we all rally together and go knocking on doors. It's not a one-time event where you share it with somebody who perhaps has been in your family a long time. But everyday, everywhere evangelism, the Bible type of evangelism is I share the gospel with everyone no matter where I go. [01:18:06]

Paul, when he gets there, hear me, he does what this text really calls for you and I to do. He employs a very strategic, very thoughtful way of sharing the gospel. Hear me, y'all. Paul is reaching further, spreading the gospel to new places. And as much as Paul was spirit led, I want you to know he was strategic in how he reached. [01:22:03]

Paul models effective evangelism in a world that is marked by false gods, false intellect, and fickle people. And so hear me, brothers and sisters. You and I, as we're sharing the gospel, this is your homework assignment. When we leave here today, you and I have to be intentional about increasing our cultural competency. We need to clarify our convictions according to the scripture. [01:22:43]

Paul, hear me, brothers and sisters, he understands that effective reaching requires me understanding who I'm trying to reach. You can't contend with a culture you don't comprehend. You cannot contend with a culture you don't comprehend. The challenge, brothers and sisters, hear me, brothers and sisters, you can't contend with the people you don't even understand. And watch this. This is going to push us as followers of Jesus. This requires humility and curiosity. [01:24:23]

Paul, he has a cultural competency as he sits to try to understand this Athenian culture. He walks around and gets a little landscape of the city, views how they're thinking, how they're talking. And watch this, it shows up in his evangelistic strategy. He starts out saying, men of Athens, or people of Athens, I see that you are extremely religious in every respect, y'all. [01:25:08]

Paul is clear about his convictions about God and the resurrection. I'm in the text. He says right here in verse 24, the God who made the world and everything in it, he is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in shrines made by man. Neither is he served by human hands as though he has needed anything since he himself gave everyone life and breath and all things. [01:28:58]

He's the creator of all things that one day he spoke and everything that was not came into being. He, he's the creator of everything. Put the moon in the night sky and put it on the night shift and put the sun in the day sky and put it on the day shift. He's the creator of everything, y'all. He, he put the animals there in the jungle and taught the monkeys how to swing and told the lions how to roar and told the peacocks how to run, y'all. [01:29:41]

The gospel is one of the few areas that you and I are called to steward and throw it out widely broadly and not sparingly. We are to freely share the holiness of God freely share the sinfulness of man freely share about the atoning work of Christ freely share about the grace of an almighty God but here's the catch you can't concern yourself about the outcome. [01:40:10]

You're scared they're going to reject you and the gospel but hear me you and I cannot be so scared so sheepish that we don't do what God has called us to do because we're worried about whether people are going to respond. Here's what you got to know brothers and sisters it's my responsibility to do the sharing. [01:41:25]

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Transcript
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