The Gospel and an Invitation to Respond

Suggested time Sunday 3:10 to 3:40 PM | 30 minutes

Explain the Gospel Clearly

God created us for relationship with Him, but every one of us has sinned. Sin is not only a list of mistakes. It is our separation from God and our inability to make ourselves righteous. We cannot close that distance through effort, religion, good intentions, or comparison.

God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus lived a blameless life. He died on the cross for our sins, standing in the gap we could not cross, and He rose again. Jesus did not merely show us a better way. He made the way to the Father. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 KJV

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Romans 10:9 KJV

Salvation is received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Prayer does not earn salvation. Prayer is the conversation in which a person can honestly respond by acknowledging sin, confessing Christ, accepting Him as Savior, and receiving what He has done.

Prayer of Response

Father, I acknowledge that I have sinned and cannot make my own way back to You. I believe Jesus Christ is Your only Son. I believe He lived without sin, died on the cross for my sins, and rose again. I believe Jesus stood in the gap and is the only way to You. I confess Jesus as Lord, accept Him as my Savior, and receive the salvation You offer by grace. Please forgive me, come into my life, and teach me to follow, serve, and love You. Thank You for what Christ has done. In Jesus’ name, amen.

After the Prayer

Allow quiet. Then say plainly: “If that prayer expressed what you believe and you received Christ today, we would be honored to know. You do not have to stand in front of everyone or prove what happened. Please tell one of the leaders before you leave so we can celebrate with you, answer questions, and help you begin walking with Christ.”