Every campus minister needs to have a few good talks, quiet times, discussion questions, and bible studies that he or she can pull out at a moment’s notice. You never know when you might be called on or an opportunity arises to leverage with gospel truth.
“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…” Romans 1:16
Romans 1:16 is a perfectly set up verse that can be applied in the moment for unbelievers or believers. 4 Questions of the Gospel can be used in a variety of contexts to answer the What, Why, Who, and How of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The below are the major building blocks that can be added and built upon according to the need.
The What of the Gospel?
The gospel, as described by Romans 1:16, is the very power of God. The greatest expression of God’s power is not the act of Creation, not the flood, not the parting of the Red Sea, and not even the plagues in Egypt. What God does in making a dead person alive is the greatest expression of God’s power. There is no greater demonstration of the power of God than what he does in saving a sinful and separated people.
The Why of the Gospel?
The gospel exists to save. This is its primary purpose. It is for salvation. To have any other primary reason for its use than this one is to misunderstand and manipulate it. One must realize and have the eager expectation that the gospel’s aim is to save its hearers! It is determined to do so.
The Who of the Gospel?
The gospel is not biased. It does not segregate with regards to gender, ethnicity, economic class, or age. The gospel is for everyone, everywhere, at anytime. It is for whosoever believes.
The How of the Gospel?
How is one saved? By faith. The saving work of Jesus is applied to one’s life through belief in His substitutionary work on the cross for them. Everyone has faith in something, but Christianity is characterized only by faith in the life and death of Jesus Christ.