Witnessing: Sharing the Gospel
Sharing the Gospel & Leading Students to Christ
*The author of this teaching tip is very aware of the different traditions concerning conversion within the Christian Church. This teaching tip is not meant to be comprehensive, or to single out any one tradition as “correct.” Rather, it’s meant to give helpful insights into how to work with a student who is interested in becoming a Christian.
The Scriptures are clear, God desires for people to turn to Him and be saved. Jesus said it in John 3, “God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” Peter echoes those sentiments in 2 Peter 3:9 saying, “God wants all men to come to repentance.”
We, as leaders of students, share that passion. Everything we do is focused on introducing students to Jesus. But sometimes we lack the tools needed to help a student surrender to Christ. Below are a few tips and passages you’ll want to be familiar with. A time will come when a student says, “What does it mean to be a Christian,” or “How do I know I’m saved?”
• Help students understand that sin separates them from God
Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23
• Show students that we have been freed from sin by Jesus Christ
Romans 3:24
Romans 6:21
John 3:16
• Teach students what it means to surrender to God
Romans 6:1-14
Luke 14:25-33
• Expose students to the promises of Scripture surrounding conversion
Romans 10:8-11
Acts 2:37-39
Acts 3:19
Ephesians 2:8-10
• Pray with students for the Holy Spirit to guide them.
• Involve parents in their child’s decision. Always include them in counseling decisions, Bible studies, etc.
• Don’t push students to a decision; it should be authentic. Learn to recognize fruit that is ripe for the picking.
• Never baptize a child or take them through confirmation without a parent’s permission. You want to minister alongside parents, not around them.
• Try to commit the Romans passages above to memory. This will be helpful in counseling a student “on the spot” about a decision for Christ.