Professional Documents
Culture Documents
THE GOSPEL
AMONG THE LOST
To advance the Gospel of Jesus and His Kingdom into the nations, through
spiritual generations of laborers living and discipling among the lost.
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What is the Gospel? (Please use only one sentence for your answer)
When you consider the people God used to bring you to Christ, are there words or actions that
are memorable to you? How have you followed their example in your own evangelism?
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STUDY 1: THE GOSPEL
1 Corinthians 15:1-8
2 Thessalonians 1:8
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The Gospel Communicated - Examples from Scripture
Fill in the chart using the passages of Scripture given.
Pulling it Together
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What patterns emerged?
What were some of the similarities in the way the Gospel was presented?
Talk about how some of these examples relate to the people we are reaching?
Rebuilding bridges
Look at the different method you are using to share the Gospel. Take the time to analyze its
components and thoughts. Could you come up with another way to explain the Gospel to
someone? Could you as a team develop a tool which is effective and speaks to the hearers of the
particular culture you are in?
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a. My Definition
In your own words define the Gospel (20 words or less)
b. I Believe
Write at least five statements communicating what you believe and why (include Scripture).
c. If-Then
Write at least five “if-then” statements that show how your walk with God and your life as a
believer will reflect what you believe about the Gospel. (i.e: if I believe that God loves and
forgives me, then I will love and forgive others.)
d. My Life Examples
(Give two real life examples)
My life has been consistent with this truth about the Gospel in that…
e. Application
f. Passing It On
“I would communicate this truth to another by…”
Through Galatians
Not everyone agreed with Paul’s understanding of the Gospel. Some men, probably from
Jerusalem, retraced Paul and Barnabas’ route for the purpose of correcting Paul’s gospel by
“completing it”. The letter to the Galatians is Paul’s reasoned, but also emotional response to
their mission
What is Paul’s emotional response to the Galatians? What does he have to say about those who
were preaching after him?
Galatians 1:6-9
Galatians 2:14
Galatians 3:1-3
Galatians 4:10-11
Galatians 5:2-4
Those retracing Paul’s footsteps didn’t appear to reduce the deity of Christ, His death or
resurrection. Why then do you think Paul was so stirred up?
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What would have been the effects on the Gentiles believers if they had continued to follow this
other teaching?
Galatians 4:3-10
Note: Paul uses the same Greek word
in Galatians 4:3 & 9. It is the word
“stoicheia” meaning the basic principles
of this world. The same Greek word is
used in Colossians 2:8,20
Galatians 5:1-6
Galatians 4:17
Galatians 5:12-13
Summary
The purity of the Gospel is under constant threat by those who seek to mix it with human rules
and traditions. The Gentile world couldn’t understand the Gospel as long as it came wrapped up
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in Jewish tradition. It’s the same today. Whenever we add to the Gospel, we subtract from its
purity. When this happens it ceases to be a Gospel for all the nations.
1. What similarities do you see between the Galatians example and what you face today
as you bring the Gospel to the people around you?
2. Do you see any similarities between the Galatians and yourself in terms of how you
view, understand and apply the Gospel to your life?
3. What traditional forms, practices and rules do Christians tend to impose on unbelievers
or new believers today? Which of these have you experienced most in your own life
and ministry?
5. What were the first century responses to the threat to the purity of the Gospel? Which
of these could be applied today?
6. What are some 21st century threats to the purity of the Gospel? How might they be
countered from the pages of Scriptures?
1. What are unbelievers seeing and feeling as they listen to the Gospel where you live
and work? What are the positive and negative aspects to the “tone” of evangelism in
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your ministry
2. What are some ways your ministry might be contaminating the purity of the Gospel in
words or actions?
3. What are the entry points for the Gospel among the people groups to whom you
minister?
4. What are the great truths of the Gospel? What must you be careful to communicate?
Which of these truths do you tend to underemphasize or even ignore?
5. How are you currently presenting the Gospel? Are you neglecting or adding anything?
If so why? How can you address that?
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