What Happened in Our Evangelism Training This Week
A practical training to help church members sharing the gospel with their neighbours
This week at church we continued our sixth session of evangelism training, where we are learning how to reach others with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our focus this week was practical. We spent time learning how to share our personal testimony in a way that clearly communicates the gospel.
Many believers sincerely want to share Christ with others. Yet the most common question I hear is simple:
Where do I start?
During this training session we walked through several foundational principles that help believers share the gospel faithfully and clearly.
Below is a summary of what we discussed together.
The First Principle: Evangelism Must Be Christ-Centered
The most important truth we discussed is this:
Evangelism is about Jesus Christ.
The message we proclaim is not our church, our programs, or our denomination. The message is the person and work of Jesus Christ — His death and resurrection.
The Apostle Paul summarized the gospel clearly:
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:3–4
This distinction is important because many churches unintentionally shift the focus of evangelism.
Instead of inviting people to follow Christ, we sometimes invite them simply to attend church.
When this happens, churches may grow in attendance while disciple-making remains weak.
This is why Jesus did not say, “Go and make church members.”
He said:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”
— Matthew 28:19
Christ Himself must remain at the center of our message.
The Second Principle: You Must Understand the Gospel
During our training I asked a simple question:
How would you define the gospel?
Many of the answers focused on personal experiences, church activities, or moral improvement. Yet the gospel is not primarily about those things.
The gospel is the saving work of God through Jesus Christ.
Paul reminds us:
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.”
— Romans 1:16
If we are going to share the gospel clearly, we must understand its biblical foundation.
We summarized the gospel in four key truths.
The Core Elements of the Gospel
1. God Is Holy
The gospel begins with God, not with humanity.
Scripture reveals God as perfectly holy.
“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.”
— Isaiah 6:3
In Isaiah’s vision, even the angels covered their faces before the holiness of God.
Theologian R. C. Sproul wrote:
“The holiness of God is the foundation for everything we know about Him.”
Because God is holy, sin cannot simply be ignored.
It must be judged.
2. Humanity Is Sinful
The second reality the Bible reveals is the condition of humanity.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
— Romans 3:23
Our problem is not only that we commit sinful actions.
Scripture teaches that sin is part of our fallen nature.
David acknowledged this reality:
“Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.”
— Psalm 51:5
Because of this, every human being must eventually face God’s judgment.
This leads to the central question of the gospel:
How can sinful people be made right with a holy God?
3. Jesus Christ Is the Only Savior
The answer is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
God provided salvation through the death and resurrection of His Son.
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God.”
— 1 Peter 3:18
Jesus died as a substitute for sinners.
Paul explains the heart of the gospel:
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:21
Christ took our sin upon Himself so that His righteousness could be given to us.
The resurrection confirms this victory.
“Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”
— Romans 4:25
The reformer Martin Luther described this as “the great exchange.”
Salvation is therefore entirely the work of God.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
— Ephesians 2:8–9
If we add our own merit or performance to salvation, we lose the gospel itself.
Practicing How to Share Our Testimony
After reviewing the gospel, we spent time practicing how to share our personal testimony.
Each participant had three minutes to share how Christ transformed their life.
We structured every testimony around three simple phases.
1. Life Before Christ
First, we describe our life before knowing Christ.
Scripture describes this condition clearly:
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”
— Ephesians 2:1
This part helps listeners understand our spiritual need.
2. How We Came to Christ
Second, we explain how we encountered the gospel and came to faith in Christ.
Jesus Himself said:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
— John 14:6
The focus should always remain on what Christ did, not on what we accomplished.
3. Life After Christ
Finally, we describe how Christ has changed our life.
The gospel always produces transformation.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:17
A genuine encounter with Christ leads to a changed heart and a new direction in life.
Why This Training Matters
Our goal in this training is simple:
To help believers become confident witnesses for Christ.
Every Christian has a story of what Christ has done.
When that story is connected clearly to the gospel, it becomes a powerful testimony of God’s grace.
The early church understood this well.
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.”
— Revelation 12:11
God often uses simple testimonies to open hearts to the gospel.
Moving Forward
In the coming weeks we will continue our evangelism training together as a church. We will keep learning how to:
Understand the gospel clearly
Communicate it faithfully
Share our testimony in a Christ-centered way
Please continue praying that God would give our church boldness and wisdom to share the good news of Jesus Christ.
“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?
And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
And how shall they hear without a preacher?”
— Romans 10:14
May the Lord use us to make Christ known.
Thank you Dylan! Let's think together about it 🙏
I wish every church did this!
We’re all called to do the work of the evangelist, this is a great guide to help people get started.