Share the Gospel Effectively Online!

 

If you are thinking about the massive potential of the internet to reach people for Jesus, or you could use help in knowing what to say, this is for you!

 

1. Know the most effective ways to reach people

 

Where can you find people to share the gospel with? You can try going on forums or facebook groups, but with little response. Yet there are people who would listen; we just have to find them.

 

The most effective way that I've found to share the gospel is through chat ministries.  Chat ministries are not set up like social chatrooms, but instead are one-to-one helplines, with a "chatter" on one side and a volunteer on the other.

 

In chat ministries, people often come with problems or they come with questions about having a relationship with God- which is ideal, because then they are the ones *seeking us for help.* And they often are more open to talking online than going to church- although we do point them to churches, they are not likely to come to church on their own. So they come to us with questions or problems, and we take the opportunity to point them to Jesus.

 

These are 3 chat ministries where you can share the gospel with people around the world!

https://www.groundwire.net/

https://needhim.org/

https://searchforjesus.net/

 

2. Know what to say

 

How can you know what to say, in order to see real results?

 

It's fairly easy when people ask us how to be saved (as long as you have the gospel prepared ahead of time). And it's easy enough when they ask, "How can I be closer to God?" (we shouldn't assume they are already saved; they may not associate with Christianity but maybe have only thought of God in a vague way). Those scenarios are ideal for leading someone straight to the gospel.

 

However, what about the times when people have problems and need someone to listen, and they need hope?

 

The lead trainer on our team teaches this pattern for leading into the gospel:

 

Listen

Empathize

Transition

Share

 

Listening is asking questions about their situation and giving them time to share what they are struggling with.

Examples: How long have you felt depressed? / What do you think is causing it? / I'm here for you if it helps to have someone to listen

 

Empathizing is imagining ourselves in their place, and sharing compassionate statements, and relating if possible.

Examples: So sorry you're going through this / That is very sad and I will pray for you

[If you can, share a personal experience or a comforting Bible verse when appropriate]

 

Transitioning is using an open-ended question to probe for their relationship with God or understanding of the gospel.

Example: Do you have any beliefs that bring you peace/hope? > May I share how you can receive the hope Jesus offers?

 

Sharing is the time when we give a detailed gospel presentation. It's best to have this prepared ahead of time!

Example:

The Bible says we have all sinned and we've been separated from God (Romans 3:23),  and there is nothing we can do to bridge the gap between us and Him (Ephesians 2:8-9).

The good news is that He sent His Son Jesus who died for our sins and arose from the dead. We are "saved" through calling on Jesus- confessing our sins and believing His sacrifice for us (Romans 10:9).

Romans 10:13 says " whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." So you start a relationship with Jesus by calling on Him to be your Savior, so you can have eternal life in heaven- and He will be with you in this life, to give you peace and joy.

You can pray right now and ask Jesus to forgive you and change your heart. This is different from praying about your situation- this is about starting a relationship with God. I can say a prayer for your situation afterwards, but it's important to take care of your relationship with God first.

 

3. Avoid pitfalls

 

a. Explain the fact that we have all been separated from God and we are not naturally children of God, but actually have to become children of God or we will be lost forever (Romans 3:10-23; John 1:12; John 3:3).

 

b. Make it clear that salvation is not about having our circumstances changed in this life. We have to tell them that the Bible does acknowledge hardship (Romans 8:28-39; John 16:33) but through Jesus, we can have peace and the hope of eternal life in heaven where there is no suffering.

 

c. Show the need for confession of sin, realizing that we are desperately in need of forgiveness; and that is really the reason Jesus had to suffer such a horrible death, because our sin really is horrible. We have to come to a point where we do not see ourselves as good, but instead call out for God's mercy (Luke 18:10-14). Ideally they should pray out loud, since praying verbally is an expression of the heart (Romans 10:9-13).

 

d. Give them time to let it sink in, and let them take a few minutes to pray on their own. An example prayer is fine, because Jesus did give an example in Luke 18:13, but encourage them to take their time, and to pray with their own words from their heart. The point of an example prayer is to show the way Biblically, so they don't go astray with things like "please fix my situation" or "I'll be good from now on." However, be careful that they don't simply follow your words as a ritual; make it clear that it's meant simply as an example of how to come to God.

 

4. Follow up!

 

After they indicate trust in Jesus, point them in the right direction. Help them find a Biblical church where they can be baptized and grow in their knowledge of God, as well as stay focused and encouraged in their walk with Him.