Lesson 3:
Explaining the Gospel Using John 3:16

Lesson Overview

How to "Lead Into" Sharing the Gospel

How to Explain the Gospel Using John 3:16

How to Help Someone Respond to the Gospel Message

Note that the Coaching Tips (CT) are colored blue

In this lesson we will cover:

How to Lead Into the Gospel

Ask Permission To Share

CT: Asking permission shows respect, and their answer will tell you if you should proceed and not "force it to happen". ​If they say "no", take it as an indication that God would not have you share with them at this time. Thank them and silently pray for an opportunity sometime in the future.

Say something like...
​
Have you ever heard of John 3:16...?
​
It's a very important verse in the Bible. It contains God's main message to mankind and what He desires for us...
​
​May I share with you what I've discovered in this verse? ​ (or what God wants us to have and experience)

CT: Before we go into detail on explaining the Gospel using John 3:16 as our main reference verse, let's go over the Basic Outline. We will expand on each point in detail next.

THE BASIC OUTLINE

For GOD so loved the WORLD that He gave His one and only SON that whoever BELIEVES in Him will not perish but have eternal LIFE. ​John 3:16

We will focus on these 5 KEY QUESTIONS and... 5 KEY WORDS in John 3:16:

1. What does God want us to experience?
Key word: LIFE.​

​2. What keeps us from experiencing this?
Key word: WORLD (sin).

3. How does God feel about this?
Key word: GOD.

4. How did God solve our problem?
Key word: SON (Jesus).

5. How do we begin to experience what God desires?
​Key word: BELIEVES.

Response

CT: Memorizing these 5 questions early on in your learning will go a LONG way in helping you become comfortable, confident and competent in sharing the Gospel. Take a moment to review them now.

Once memorized, they will easily guide what you want to say. With a little study, practice and God's help, it will become quite natural for you.

​

Many of you know how to share your faith better than you think. Usually it's just a matter of organizing what you ALREADY KNOW!

​Written below is a simple explanation of the Gospel following the outline above, plus Coaching Tips.

(Question #1)
​What does God want you to experience?

CT: Ask the question just to guide the conversation; to set the stage for what you first want to talk about. (You're not expecting them to give an answer the question.)

Or you might say something like, "Let's first consider 'what God wants us to have and experience'. As we look at John 3:16, He's referring to LIFE but it's much more than just breathing and existing on this earth."

[Talk about LIFE...something like this.]
​
John 3:16 tells us that God wants us to experience and "have eternal life". What does He mean by that? Surely it's more than living and surviving. Yes, the "life" He is referring to is much deeper, personal and meaningful.

Real LIFE is what God desires for you. He wants you to experience "real life" that addresses "real needs". Something He calls "life to the full" - both now in this life and forever (eternally) in heaven.

God wants you to know His acceptance of you, right NOW, and experience His love, forgiveness and peace.

It means to experience hope and His help now and throughout your life.

And to discover life with real purpose and EMPOWERED to do what is right in His sight.

​Plus the hope and assurance of living with God FOREVER (eternally) in heaven. ​

These are desires and needs we have, but...

CT: Here you have explained how God wants to impact our lives both now and...forever.

Now: By experiencing His love, acceptance, forgiveness, peace, purpose, etc.
(What the Bible refers to as the "abundant" or "full" life.) And...

Forever: Having the assurance of going to heaven eternally with God.

This message addresses basic needs people have and long to have met (love, acceptance, peace, forgiveness, purpose). These are needs that only God can fully address. As a result, many people will identify with this message.

Suggestion: This is a good place to 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.

[Write down several words from this section to help you remember how to answer this first question, for example, life, now, forever.]

How to Explain the Gospel Using John 3:16

(Question #2)
​What keeps us from experiencing this?

[Talk about the WORLD (our sin)...say something like this.]
​
We see in this verse God is speaking to the "world" or mankind - you and me.

It's easy to see this is a broken world. It has a disease called SIN. Why? Because it is the home of sinful people.

CT: Instead of bluntly accusing or calling someone sinful, it can be helpful to start talking about sin by referring to this "broken" world and why it is that way, noting that we are "all sinners" which would include the person you are speaking with. Help them see they are part of a bigger problem.

​Each one of us is a sinner - we all fall short of God's perfection. We tend to ignore Him and do things or have thoughts that are not pleasing to a holy and perfect God.

CT: Helping people realize their sin and the consequences help them realize their need of a Savior.
Sin is anything we do, say or even think that is not pleasing to God. (The 10 commandments quickly reveal our sinfulness.)

Our sin creates a division and SEPARATION from Him. This breaks our relationship with God now and can result in a permanent separation from His presence for all eternity.

CT: As sinners we stand guilty and already "condemned" by God - we must be rescued.
​
That's what is meant by "perish" referring to a place God calls hell - a place without light, love and Him.

CT: Consider how much you want to talk about hell. Saying the word "hell" sometimes closes the door on a conversation. Will it help or will it shut down the conversation? Look to the Holy Spirit to guide you. Maybe just talking about "going to be with God in heaven" would be sufficient.
​
​But God cares about you so...

[What are a few words that will help you remember what you want to say in this section. Jot them down.]

(Question #3)
​How does God feel about this?

CT: This section points out that God loves us but He is also just and must punish sin.

[Talk about GOD... something like this.]
​
We see in John 3:16 that God LOVES you and wants you to experience His love.

​Yet He's holy, perfect and JUST therefore He must punish sin. His perfect justice requires that He punish sin.

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 the problem! ​

[Write down several words that will help you remember.]

(Question #4)
​How did God solve our problem?

[Talk about the SON...something like this.]
​
God tells us in this verse that He solved your sin problem through His "SON". Jesus is the "SON'.

CT: Be sure to point out that the "Son" refers to Jesus.
​
Jesus is both GOD and man. Or, God who came in the form of a man. He lived a sinless, perfect life and didn't deserve to be punished.

CT: Be sure to point out that Jesus IS God...in the flesh (John 1:1 and 14) as many people do not realize this.

But Jesus DIED on the cross taking upon Himself the punishment you and I deserve.

CT: Point out that He came to die taking the punishment of our sin. Because He is the infinite God He could take all of our sin. Because He was and is "perfect" Jesus is the perfect sacrifice to satisfy God's justice.
​
Then Jesus ROSE from death to live forever.

CT: Point out that Jesus rose from the dead - therefore, He (God) is alive today to help us through a personal relationship with Him!

And Jesus wants you to experience life to the full now and forever in relationship with Him.

[Again, what are several words that will help you remember what you want to say...jot them down.]

(Question #5)
​How do we begin to experience what God desires?

[Talk about BELIEVE...something like this.]
​
John 3:16 says that you need to "believe" (trust fully) in Jesus. It says, "whoever BELIEVES has eternal life". Notice it doesn't say "hope so" or "maybe" but HAS eternal life.

CT: Help them understand what it means to "believe" by referring to words like "trust" and "faith".

​It means to have faith in WHO He is - God in the flesh, the perfect sacrifice for our sin.

It means to trust in WHAT Jesus did for you on the cross. He died to take the full punishment for all your sin so you might be forgiven.

And Jesus rose from death. That means He is alive right now. Therefore, Jesus desires to have a personal relationship with you.

You can begin to experience life as He desires for you by receiving or inviting Him into your life right now.

CT: Encourage them to believe Jesus is alive to walk with them, guide them and lead them home to heaven with Him someday.

[Write down several words that will help you remember what to say.]

Response:

ASK THEM

__________, do you sense Jesus speaking to you to take this step of faith and believe (trust) in what He has done for you?

CT: As you witness, trust the Holy Spirit to reveal the spiritual presence of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit makes Jesus "real" and present.

Make this very personal. Use their name and simply ask if they sense Jesus presence seeking their respond to His invitation.
​Remember, it's really Jesus who is asking to enter into relationship with them and receive His forgiveness.

​HELP THEM
​(If they are ready to respond to Jesus' invitation.)

Great! You can take that step today. It's as simple as A-B-C:

• Admit that you have sinned and need His forgiveness.

• Believe in Jesus. That He died taking your punishment and rose forever to offer you life to the full.

• Commit to letting Jesus shape your life and choose to follow Him as your leader.

CT: Use A-B-C as a good way to explain what it means to make this commitment to respond and follow Jesus.

PRAY WITH THEM
CT: A-B-C can also serve as a simple outline for a prayer of commitment. Say something like this:

Prayer is a way to act on what you would like to do today. Prayer is simply talking to God. It's a way to express your faith and respond to His invitation.

I suggest that we pray right now and tell Jesus what you want to do.

Are you comfortable praying without my help? Otherwise I can help you by leading you in a prayer.

Here is a sample of how you can express your desire to follow Him:

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 me live a life in friendship with You. ​Thank you for Your love and acceptance. Jesus, I want to commit my life to follow You. Come into my life and change anything that is not pleasing to You. Amen.

CT: Make sure to PRACTICE PRAYING A PRAYER OF SALVATION so you feel competent when the time arises! If you've come this far, you don't want to stop now.

[Write down several words that will help you remember. Especially note what A, B, C stand for.]

FOLLOW UP

CT: If they are not ready to respond:

• Thank them and offer to pray for them if it seems appropriate.

• Leave a tract they can look at later.

• Continue to pray for them and, if possible, watch for the opportunity to talk again later. ​

CT: THOSE WHO RESPOND:

• Getting exposed to the Word of God is crucial. Do what you can to help them start reading the Bible.

• Can you invite them to study the Bible with you or a small group or church service?

End of Lesson 3

What's next:

• Complete and submit the Lesson 3 Assignment below (Required to earn the Certificate of Achievement)

• Earn the Certificate of Achievement. If you have not already registered, you may Register for Certificate Here.

• Review Gospel Presentation Using John 3:16

  (written or video examples available)

• Download helpful Witnessing Tools below and begin sharing

Resources:

Download Witnessing Guide (bill size)

Download Witnessing Guide (Bible size)

Download Gospel Tract/booklet

Download copy of Lesson 3: Explaining the Gospel Using John 3:16

Assignment Lesson 3:

Explaining the Gospel Using John 3:16

• Complete and submit this assignment. (Required to earn the Certificate of Achievement.)

• If you are registered to earn the Certificate of Achievement, prepare to share the Gospel with 3 people (using this method). Suggestion:

  • Review this lesson, and

  • Read and/or watch the sample Gospel Presentation Here.

Would you like to Earn the Certificate of Achievement but have not registered?

• You may Register to earn the Certificate Here.