Objective:

A clear and persuasive presentation of the Gospel to every person in the new city, calling them to repentance of sin, faith in Christ, and commitment to His cause and His church.

Strategy:

Mobilize as many believers as possible to evangelize the target area/city.

Method:

Use all biblically-appropriate evangelistic methods and communication media that effectively reach the local audience.

I. THE CONTENT OF THE GOSPEL MESSAGE

The Gospel has essential components. If any part is removed, distorted, or minimized, the message is incomplete.

A. GOD — The Holy, Loving, Sovereign Creator

Genesis 1:1 – God is Creator.
Isaiah 6:3 – God is holy.
Psalm 103:8 – God is gracious and merciful.
Romans 1:20 – God’s eternal power and Godhead are clearly seen.

Why this matters: You cannot preach salvation until people understand who God is.

B. MAN — Sinful, Lost, and Unable to Save Himself

Romans 3:10 – “There is none righteous, no, not one.”
Romans 3:23 – “All have sinned…”
Isaiah 53:6 – Man has gone astray.
Ephesians 2:1 – Man is spiritually dead.

Why this matters: People must see their need before they desire salvation.

C. CHRIST — The Only Savior

John 14:6 – “I am the way…”
Acts 4:12 – No salvation outside Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 – Christ died for our sins, was buried, rose again.
1 Peter 2:24 – Christ bore our sins.

Why this matters: The Gospel is not advice; it is Christ Himself.

D. JUDGMENT — The Consequence of Rejecting God

Hebrews 9:27 – It is appointed to die once, then judgment.
Romans 6:23 – Wages of sin is death.
Revelation 20:11–15 – Great white throne judgment.
John 3:36 – Wrath of God abides on the unbeliever.

Why this matters: The Gospel is good news because judgment is real.

E. SALVATION — God’s Gift Through Faith in Christ

Ephesians 2:8–9 – Salvation is by grace through faith.
Titus 3:5 – Not by works.
Romans 10:9–10 – Confession and belief in Christ brings salvation.
Acts 16:31 – Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Why this matters: Salvation is God’s work, not man’s achievement.

F. RESPONSE — The Gospel Must Be Understood and Received

Mark 1:15 – Repent and believe the Gospel.
Luke 13:3 – Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Acts 20:21 – Repentance toward God and faith toward Christ.
Romans 10:17 – Faith comes by hearing the Word.

The communicator must present the Gospel in words the people understand.

1 Corinthians 14:9 – If it’s not understood, it’s useless.
Nehemiah 8:8 – They explained the Word clearly so people understood.

II. THE CULTURAL COURTESY OF THE GOSPEL MESSAGE

Principle: Know your audience—their culture, religion, vocabulary, and worldview—without compromising truth.

A. JESUS: Different approaches for different people

John 3 — Nicodemus (religious Jew)
- Jesus spoke of being “born again,” challenging his religious pride.
John 4 — Samaritan woman (immoral outsider)
- Jesus spoke of “living water,” meeting her personal thirst.

Same message, different approach.

B. PAUL: One Gospel, Many Approaches

1. Paul evangelized monotheists (Jews and God-fearing Gentiles)

Acts 9:20–22 – Preached Christ as Messiah.
Acts 13:16–17 – Began with Israel’s history.
Romans 1:2–3 – Connected Christ to Scriptures.

2. Paul evangelized polytheists (many gods)

Acts 14:15–17 – Preached the living God who made heaven and earth.
He corrected their idol worship using creation truth.

3. Paul evangelized pantheists (God is everything)

Acts 17:22–33 – Preached the “unknown God” as the Creator and Judge.
He used their poets to connect but corrected their error.

C. THE APOSTLES: Unchanging Gospel, Culturally Clear

1. They did not change the Gospel

Galatians 1:6–9 – Any other gospel is cursed.

2. They used familiar ideas and words

John 1:1–4 – “Logos” communicated clearly to Greeks and Jews.
Ephesians 3:19 – Using common categories of thought.

3. They corrected cultural misunderstandings

Acts 14:15–17 – Stopped idol worship of Paul and Barnabas.
Acts 17:31 – Corrected Athenian philosophy.
Romans 3:28–30 – Clarified justification is by faith, not law.

III. THE METHODS OF GOSPEL COMMUNICATION

There is no single method. Jesus and the apostles used many.

A. Personal, Private Evangelism to Individuals

1. Jesus

John 3 – Nicodemus.
John 4 – Samaritan woman.

2. Philip

Acts 8:26–40 – Ethiopian eunuch.
One-on-one evangelism is powerful and biblical.

B. Public Evangelism to Groups, Families, Homes

Acts 10 – Cornelius’ household.
Acts 16:31–34 – Philippian jailer’s family.
Acts 20:20 – House-to-house ministry.

C. Crowds in Public Places

Acts 17:17, 22–23 – Paul in the marketplace and Areopagus.

D. Preaching in Organized Evangelism

Acts 2:14–40 – Peter on the Day of Pentecost.
Clear, bold proclamation.

E. Teaching

Acts 10:34–43 – Peter teaching the Gentiles.
Teaching grounds converts.

F. Witnessing and Tract Distribution

Acts 26:1–23 – Paul gives his testimony before Agrippa.
Testimony is a powerful evangelistic tool.

G. Monologue

Acts 2:14–36 – Single-speaker preaching.

H. Dialogue

Acts 17:16–17 – Paul reasoned daily with seekers.
Evangelism can be conversations, not just sermons.

IV. MEDIA SELECTION FOR GOSPEL COMMUNICATION

(Acts 8:4; John 20:31)

A. Social Media

Wide reach and immediate engagement.

B. Tracts, Door Hangers, Surveys

Acts 8:4 – They “went everywhere preaching the Word.”

C. Newspaper

Can reach community leaders and broad audiences.

D. Books

John 20:31 – Written Gospel for future readers.
Books influence minds for generations.

V. MEASURING AUDIENCE UNDERSTANDING AND RESPONSE

A. Measure Numerical Response

Acts 2:41 – 3,000 saved and baptized.
Acts 16:5 – Churches increased in number daily.

B. Measure Response Qualitatively

(1 Thessalonians 1:4–8)
Their faith was visible, influential, and transformative.

1. Understanding

Do they comprehend the message?

Acts 8:30–31 – “Understandest thou what thou readest?”

2. Reception

Are they accepting or rejecting the Gospel?

Acts 17:11 – Bereans received the Word with readiness.

STEP THREE: THE GOSPEL COMMUNICATED