“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior was revealed, He saved us. It was not because of any good deeds that we ourselves had done, but because of His own mercy that He saved us, through the Holy Spirit, who gives us new birth and new life by washing us.” (Titus 3:4-5)
In his letter to Titus, Paul advices him on what to teach the people. Paul had left Titus in charge of the church he established in Crete in one of his missionary journeys. He begins the chapter, giving specific instructions on what to teach the people. Then he explains that we were all sinners, living after the flesh and haters, but God...in verses 4 and 5.
But God revealed His kindness and love through Jesus. Here Paul recites the Gospel. If you ever wondered what exactly is the Gospel that we must share, we have Paul’s short version. First people have to realize that the life they are living is sinful and separating them from God. But to accuse them and call them sinners will immediately cause them to reject us and the message we have. Like Paul, we must give our testimony. Tell how you were a sinner stating a few sins like Paul did in verse 3. “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.” (Titus 3:3)
Then they must know that God is Good and that He loves us. Many people do not know this. I have heard many testimonies of people who turned to God when someone told them that God loved them. They never knew that before. They must hear that God sent a Savior to save us from our sins which we have no power to abandon. But because of His mercy and through the power of the Holy Spirit, He forgives our sins and gives us a new life.
We cannot give people the entire Bible lesson on how our sins are forgiven. That comes later. But after that short version of the Gospel, it’s important to make the invitation with a few short questions.
1. Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God?
2. Do you believe He died and on the third day arose from the dead?
3. Do you believe He is alive and sitting at the right hand of the Father in heaven?
This is one verse you must quote: “They answered, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your family." (Acts 16:31) These are the words Paul and Silas told the jailer who asked “...what must I do to be saved.”
This is very simplified. But it’s concise and complete. After they pray to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior, it’s important to set up another meet with them to explain the whole Gospel. They must be discipled. You must be discreet because they may not want to begin a Bible study. Just make an appointment to meet with them again to see how they’re doing and to pray with them.
There are many resources we can turn to help us disciple. One of the best is the Purple Book. You can purchase one and can use it as a resource because it explains the Gospel very clearly. I would just take one Scripture at each meet. Until they are ready to spend 30 minutes to 1 hour in Bible study with you. Do not begin on the first meeting after their salvation with a Bible study of 30 minutes or an hour. They are not ready. But you can share an important Scripture and explain what it means.
You can begin with Romans 3:23. “everyone has sinned and is far away from God's saving presence.” (Romans 3:23) This is why Jesus had to come. Then share John 3:16-17. “For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not die but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to be its judge, but to be its Savior.” (John 3:16-17) These would be enough for a first meet. The Purple book will give you enough help to share for 5-10 minutes.
When we birth a child, we don’t give him a steak to eat. They can’t chew it. They can’t digest it. This new believer is a baby in Christ. We must give them milk, a little at a time, until they get hungrier and hungrier. Then you will know it’s time for a Bible study. It may take a week, a month or a year. Do not rush it. Let them get hungry for God’s Word. You can then purchase a Purple Book for them and just do as much as they can. A chapter may be too much. There’s no hard rule here. We go at their pace.
During this time, it’s a good idea to invite them to church. This is hard for someone who has never been to church. They may say yes, but never show up. One way is to invite them to go sit with you in church. This takes away any fear of going to a new place alone.
If you have never shared the Gospel, this simplified version of Paul’s may help you.
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