Matthew 28:19
Go into all the world and make disciples of every nation.
1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
Evangelism is the promotion or act of publicly preaching the Gospel with the intention of spreading the message and teachings of Jesus Christ. Christians who specialize in evangelism are often known as evangelists, whether they are in their home communities or living as missionaries in the field.
What does the Bible say about how to lead someone to Christ?
The Bible does not give us a specific method for leading someone to Christ, so there is no religious formula we must follow. Over the years, Christians desiring to lead people to Christ have employed methods such as Evangelism Explosion, Dare 2 Share, the Way of the Master, and handing out gospel tracts. Each of these methods can be effective in leading someone to Christ.
While there is no specific method taught in the Bible for leading someone to Christ, there are specific elements that must be included in a gospel presentation. When we are well-grounded in those biblical truths, we are prepared at any time and any place to lead someone to Christ.
The Romans Road to Salvation is one way of explaining what it means to become a Christian. Because the book of Romans is such a thorough explanation of God’s grace and what it means to receive it, we need to look no further when we want to lead someone to Christ. However, it is important that we become comfortable with God’s Word enough to locate other critical passages that answer questions for non-believers. The Four Spiritual Laws is a tract that explains the key parts of salvation in a clear and direct manner and is another useful tool to use with someone inquiring about Christ.
Following are the basic elements to keep in mind when trying to lead someone to Christ. Please note that it says to keep in mind. Work these items into your conversation. Do not memorize these steps word for word and come across as sounding rehearsed and insincere.
First we identify the problem:
1. Every human being is a sinner (Romans 3:10, 23). Sin is any word, thought, or deed that is contrary to the holiness of God. Depending on the person’s understanding of spiritual matters, it may be helpful to turn to the Ten Commandments to illustrate and define what sin is (Exodus 20:1–17).
— We can ask the person: “Have you ever lied? Stolen? Lusted? Disrespected your parents?”
2. God is holy and just. Perfect justice cannot overlook our sin. The only right consequence for high treason against our Creator is eternal separation from Him in hell (Romans 6:23).
— We can ask the person: “What do you think happens after you die? The Bible says we will all die, and after that we face God’s judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
Then we explain the solution:
3. God is not only just; He is love. Because of His love, He chose to rescue us from the consequences of our sin. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to take the punishment we deserve. He took on human flesh, lived sinlessly among us, and then laid down His life to be crucified as payment for our sin. But three days later, God raised Christ from the dead. He conquered death so we could live forever with Him (John 3:16–18). Jesus became sin for us, when He had never sinned Himself, so that we could be declared righteous and forgiven (2 Corinthians 5:21).
And we ask for a response:
4. Every human being must respond to God’s offer of salvation by accepting by faith that Jesus’ death and resurrection were sufficient payment for our own sin. We transfer ownership of our lives to the lordship of Jesus, and in that divine exchange we receive a full pardon from God and the assurance of eternal life in heaven (John 1:12; Romans 10:9–10). The Bible calls for repentance and faith. When we repent, we agree with God about how bad our sin is and purpose to turn from following it to following Christ (Acts 2:38; 3:19). When we have faith, we faithfully trust in Jesus Christ as our Savior, and we are unreservedly committed to Him.
If they are willing, we can lead them in a prayer of surrender such as this:
“Father in Heaven, I confess to you that I have sinned against you. Thank you for sending your Son to die in my place. Thank you for raising Him from the dead so I could have eternal life. I give you my life now and ask you to come and live in me and make me your child. I love you and want to live for you from now on. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Once a person has asked Jesus to save and be Lord of his or her life, we should give the new believer some idea of what to expect next. Jesus likened the salvation experience to being “born again.” When we are born again, our record of sins is wiped clean, and God gives us a new heart that wants to please Him (Luke 9:23; John 3:3; Colossians 2:14). The Holy Spirit moves into our spirits and begins to transform us from the inside out (2 Corinthians 5:19). The goal of every Christian is to become a worshiper who patterns his or her life after that of the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29).
Becoming familiar with the verses listed above gives us more confidence when we share our faith. We are not making up some religious code; we are explaining truths from God’s revealed Word. We don’t have to rely on our own expertise; rather, we can rest on the foundation of God’s written Word and His Holy Spirit, who gives us the words we need when we need them (Luke 12:12).
The Romans Road To Salvation
The first verse on the Romans Road to salvation is Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” We have all sinned. We have all done things that are displeasing to God. There is no one who is innocent. Romans 3:10-18 gives a detailed picture of what sin looks like in our lives. The second Scripture on the Romans Road to salvation, Romans 6:23, teaches us about the consequences of sin – “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The punishment that we have earned for our sins is death. Not just physical death, but eternal death!
The third verse on the Romans Road to salvation picks up where Romans 6:23 left off, “but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:8 declares, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus Christ died for us! Jesus’ death paid for the price of our sins. Jesus’ resurrection proves that God accepted Jesus’ death as the payment for our sins.
The fourth stop on the Romans Road to salvation is Romans 10:9, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Because of Jesus’ death on our behalf, all we have to do is believe in Him, trusting His death as the payment for our sins – and we will be saved! Romans 10:13 says it again, “for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins and rescue us from eternal death. Salvation, the forgiveness of sins, is available to anyone who will trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
The final aspect of the Romans Road to salvation is the results of salvation. Romans 5:1 has this wonderful message, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Through Jesus Christ we can have a relationship of peace with God. Romans 8:1 teaches us, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Because of Jesus’ death on our behalf, we will never be condemned for our sins. Finally, we have this precious promise of God from Romans 8:38-39, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Some More Bible verses about evangelism
Mark 16:15
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”
Matthew 28:19-20
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
1 Peter 3:15
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,
1 Corinthians 9:22
To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Isaiah 6:8
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
2 Timothy 4:5
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Colossians 4:2-6
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. 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.
Luke 19:10
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
1 Corinthians 1:17
For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
2 Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Mark 16:16
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Acts 2:38
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Proverbs 11:30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.
2 Corinthians 5:20
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Luke 12:8
And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God,
Matthew 10:7-14
And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. Acquire no gold nor silver nor copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, nor two tunics nor sandals nor a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart.