Do you find it difficult to explain the Gospel in clear and simple terms?

Here is an
easy way you can share your faith using only one verse – John 5:24. With this verse
written on your heart and a small piece of paper, you are fully equipped no matter
where you are to clearly tell others the Good News of Jesus Christ!

ONE VERSE EVANGELISM

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 The One Verse Bridge Illustration

1. If you die tonight, are you going to heaven?

If the answer is YES, go to 2. If the answer is NO, go to 3. The most common

answer in my experience is “I think I would.”

2. Okay, so when you go and stand before God, on what basis will you expect to
get into heaven?

Listen carefully to his/her answer because you are about to hear the answer to the
most important question anyone has ever asked him. Unless he answers, “believe in
Jesus” or “faith in Jesus”, he doesn’t know the truth. The most common answer I
hear (90%) is “I try to live a good life,” which is not The Way.

3. Has anyone ever shown you what the Bible says about what it takes to go to
heaven?

4. May I?

If the person says YES, look up John 5:24 in your Bible and have him read the
passage out loud as you write out the verse on a piece of paper. Having him read
out loud assures that the person is paying attention and that he is getting a double
dose of the Word as he (1) reads and (2) hears what he is reading.

Emphasize that what you are doing is looking at what THE BIBLE says about the
subject. This places direct authority for the presentation on the Bible and away from
you and your personal opinion.

This passage talks about “crossing over” from one place to another, so let’s draw 2
cliffs and place MAN on one side and GOD on the other.

Draw 2 cliffs and write MAN on left cliff, GOD on right cliff:

Let’s look at what the Bible says about Man’s condition with God.

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Write out each characterization:

1) ETERNAL LIFE
2) NO CONDEMNATION
3) HAS CROSSED OVER FROM DEATH TO LIFE
(This means immediately, as in NOW)

The Bible says there is a crossing over from one place to another and we’ve looked
at Man’s condition on one side. Based on these conditions, what can we infer about
the conditions on the other side?

In other words, what is the opposite of LIFE? Answer: DEATH

What is the opposite of NO CONDEMNATION? Answer: CONDEMNATION
And separated from God we have SEPARATION.

As you discuss this, write these words on the left cliff:

1) ETERNAL DEATH
2) CONDEMNATION
3) SEPARATION

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Point out that the promise of John 5:24 cancels out the bad news on Man’s side. As
you point that out, X-out the phrase ETERNAL DEATH and X-out the words
CONDEMNATION and SEPARATION.

So, how do you cross from here (Man’s side) to here (God’s side)?

Draw the Cross † spanning the chasm.

According to the Bible, what are the TWO STEPS you must take in order to
cross over to God?

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Let him find the two steps noted in John 5:24.

1) “….. hears my word …..”

2) “….. believes him who sent me …..”

Draw the arrow over the cross from the Man cliff to the God cliff and write the words,
HEAR and BELIEVE on the arrow.

Now, for the finale!

Ask: According to this illustration, which side would you say you are on
RIGHT NOW?

Hand him the pen and ask him to draw an X on the side he believes he is on.

If he places the X on God’s side, remind him of his answer to the above question #2.
Then proceed ……

If he places the X on Man’s side, ask and invite:

 Ask: Would you like to cross over into a right relationship with God?

 Invite: Would you like to cross over RIGHT NOW?

Now you get to the HOW part. At this point, you can ask him to pray a short prayer:

“Dear God, I need you. I know that Jesus is your Son and that he died on the
cross for me. I have sinned and need forgiveness and I ask Jesus to come into
my heart. Thank you for giving me forgiveness, eternal life, and hope. In Jesus
name, Amen.”

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Immediately after the prayer, have him memorize John 5:24. Show him a great
assurance passage like Romans 8:35-39 and John 10:27-30.

Arrange next meeting so you can follow up immediately. An excellent first study is
Lessons on Assurances available at www.Navpress.com.

Remember: The power of salvation is unleashed through the Sword of the Spirit, the
Word of God.

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it
penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts
and attitudes of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12

SUPPLEMENTARY VERSES

Isaiah 59:2 -------- separated by sin

Romans 3:23 ------ all have sinned
Isaiah 53:6 -------- all have sinned
Romans 6:23 ------ wages of sin is death
Hebrews 9:27 ------ judgment after death
Ephesians 2:8-9 --- salvation not by works
Titus 3:5 ----------- salvation not by works
I Peter 3:18 -------- Christ died for sins
Revelation 3:20 ---- Must receive Christ
John 1:12 ----------- Must receive Christ