We're all in favor of sharing the gospel better and more often, right? We're not always sure, however, what to do to improve. So let me offer some doable steps that we can take together, and we can encourage others to take with us.

1. Plant gospel seeds. Since we live in a secular society that is largely "ignostic" (i.e.: people know little about God, and what they think they know doesn't align with biblical truth) we generally need to give people truth and time. Though the gospel can be communicated concisely and compellingly (see 5-minute video), most unbelievers will still take time to integrate the information, observe it in action, and consider the ramifications before believing in Jesus. The Philippian jailer question can still occur in a moment of crisis and after Spirit-preparation, but this is not the norm. So, we need to be consistently dropping biblical seeds of truth into our conversations about God, man, sin, Jesus' loving sacrifice, faith, forgiveness, and eternal life.

   Sharing the Gospel with Ricky who has never heard it before!!

2. Keep learning. Training is being offered this weekend at NewCov in Fresno and next month at Dwell in San Jose so people can effectively explain and defend the gospel. There are also podcasts, websites, videos, and books that are readily accessible. Preparedness tends to build our confidence to share.
3. Identify gospel-sharing heroes. My role models include Stan Westlund, Bob Pollock, Cully Olson, and Jack Blanch. This is not an exhaustive list, but it represents gospel sharers who made sharing the gospel a "first priority." Whether in public places or preaching (two are preachers), these guys were adept at making Christ the focus and asking spiritual questions. They didn't steamroll or inappropriately pry, but they did care for people, and they were contagions of God's life-changing love. Mentors help us reenact their attitudes and actions, and they remind us others are looking for the same.
4. Be alert to "unseen people." As we navigate life, we can be oblivious to people "not like us." We need to be keen to the marginalized: sign-holding panhandlers, tattooed teens, retirees, the disabled, people with a thick accents, AIDS patients, people out-of-control. We can't underestimate the degree to which they will be receptive if we reach out to them appropriately and persistently with words of hope, love, and life. And Jesus often used the conversion of the marginalized to impact the general population!
5. Yield to the Holy Spirit. I end with the most important step, and the step we are most likely to gloss over because "I already know that." But being spiritually prepared, in-tune, and aware of God's work in those around us are fundamental to this Spirit-driven work.

Praying for, and joining you in, the work of BetterGospelSharing,