By Bill Newman

The great commission of Christ is that the Gospel be preached to every creature. Every Christian can be involved in this exciting task. If you are to carry out your responsibility, you must have a practical method of presenting the way of salvation.
 
A lady once told an evangelist, “I don't like your method.” He replied, “I'm not totally satisfied with it myself, but what's yours?” She answered, “I don't have one”, to which the evangelist responded, “I like the way I do it better than the way you don't do it!”
 
The point is to start with a method. Change it if you wish, modify it if you must, but start with a method. If you have a method, you will present the Gospel more often and better.
 
After establishing a rapport with a person in a warm, friendly, tactful way, make the transition from talking about secular things to spiritual things. Here are three suggested questions:

- “Do you know for sure that you are going to heaven?” The response is usually, “No, I am not sure“ or “I hope so”.

- Then ask, “Has anyone ever shown you from the Bible how you can know for sure you are going to heaven?” Almost always the reply will be, “No.”

- Ask “May I?” Most often the reply will be positive. If in the extremely rare case they say “No,” respect their decision but keep the friendship open. Perhaps some time in the future you will have another opportunity.
 
If you are courteous and genuinely concerned, people are not offended, but willing to talk about spiritual things.
 
Following are the four key verses to outline God's plan of salvation. Mark them in your Bible now...
  
Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9
  
At this point you can proceed to open your Bible to Romans 3:23.
 
 
1. All Have Sinned  Romans 3:23
 
Counsellor: “John/Mary would you please read this verse for me.”
 
Inquirer: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
 
Counsellor: “Fine, what does that verse mean?”
 
Inquirer: “We have all sinned.”
 
Counsellor: “Does that mean that everyone in the world sins?”
 
Inquirer: “Yes, it says all.”
 
Counsellor: “Does that mean I have sinned?”
 
Inquirer: “I guess so.”
 
Counsellor: “Does that mean that you have sinned?”
 
Inquirer: “Yes, I have.”
 
 
2. The Penalty for the Sin is Death   Romans 6:23
 
Counsellor: “Now John/Mary, please read this verse for me.”
 
Inquirer: “For the wages of sin is death.”
 
Counsellor: “Fine. Now what does it mean?”
 
Inquirer: “If we sin we will get paid for it.”
 
Counsellor: “That's right. The wages of work is money, but the wages of sin is death. Death means separation from God forever. All this is bad news, but there is good news.”
 
 
3. Christ died in our Place to Pay for our Sin   Romans 5:8
 
Counsellor: “John/Mary, please read this verse.”

Inquirer: “But God demonstrated His own love for us in this while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Counsellor: “What does that mean?”

Inquirer: “I guess that even though I am a sinner, Christ loved me and died for me.”

Counsellor: “That's exactly right. Let's go over the story so far. We are all sinners in God's sight. Our sin is taking us right away from God for ever. However, Christ loved us so much that He died in our place to pay for our sin.”

Counsellor: “John/Mary, Christ has died for everyone in the world-but does that make everyone a Christian?”

Inquirer: “No.”

Counsellor: “That's right. There is something we must do to become a Christian.”
 
 
4. The Personal Need for Decision - Faith in Christ Saves from Sin   Romans 10:9
 
Counselor: “John/Mary, in this verse there is a key word, something we have to do to become a Christian. Please read the verse for me and try to find the word.”
 
Inquirer: “That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
 
Counsellor: “What is the key word?”
 
Inquirer: “Confess.”
 
Counsellor: “Yes, we must confess Christ. But keep looking.”
 
Inquirer: “Is it believe?”
 
Counsellor: “That's right-we must believe. The word believe in the Bible means to entrust your life completely over to Jesus Christ. That's what real faith is, asking Jesus Christ to be Lord of your Life.”
 
Counsellor: “John/Mary  do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?”
 
Inquirer: “Yes.”
 
Counsellor: “Do you believe that He died for your sin?”
 
Inquirer: “Yes.”
 
Counsellor: “Do you believe that He rose from the dead?”
 
Inquirer: 'Yes.”
 
Counsellor: “John/Mary, would you right now like to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and entrust your life in faith totally to Him?”
 
Inquirer: “Yes, I would.”
 
This an important time for them so, if it is possible, kneel down with them.
 

Prayer of Commitment to Christ
 
Counsellor: “John/Mary, prayer is just talking to God. Why don't you tell Him that you have sinned against Him, you are sorry, and then ask Jesus to be your Lord and save you from the penalty of your sin?”
 
Inquirer: “Dear Lord Jesus, please forgive me for my sin. I want You to be my Lord. Thank you for dying for me.”
 
(If the person stops or forgets what to pray, gently break in and remind him/her. If necessary, help him/her through the prayer. At this point you may pray a short prayer yourself and thank the Lord for his/her decision.)
 
Counsellor: “John/Mary, did Jesus Christ forgive your sin and give you the gift of eternal life?”
 
Inquirer: “Yes, I felt He did.”
 
Counsellor: “Why don't you thank Him?”
 
Inquirer: “Ok, Thank you, Lord Jesus, for forgiving my sin and giving me the gift of eternal life.”
 

Give Them Assurance (1 John 5:11-12)
 
Turn to 1 John 5:11-12 and read to John/Mary.
 
Counsellor: “John/Mary, in verse there are two groups of people. He who has the Son has life'  Group A. 'He who does not have the Son of God does not have Life'  Group B. Which group are you in?”
 
Inquirer: “Group A.”
 
Counsellor: “Why?”
 
Inquirer: “Because I have prayed and believed in the Son.”
 
Counsellor: “That's right, and what kind of life do you have?” (Point to eternal life in v.11)
 
Inquirer: “I have eternal life.”