Take Gospel Hope Where The People Are
The COVID 19 pandemic has a lot of people afraid and a lot of people home. As Christians, we have a hope to share that squarely addresses those fears. This frightening moment offers us a unique opportunity to share the hope of the gospel!
But to connect people to that hope, we need to take the message of the gospel to those who need it. Where are people right now? Sheltering at home. And what are they doing there? Many of them have heavily increased their use of social media - to connect with loved ones, to stay informed, and for entertainment.
So the elders want to equip you to take gospel hope to where people are right now.
Part 1: Start the Conversation
Pray
It is the Lord who gives us the strength and love to witness to our friends. And it’s the Holy Spirit who works in people’s hearts to draw them to himself. So pray for boldness and clarity for yourself, and receptivity in your friends.
Option 1: Share Your Testimony
The most direct way to share your faith on social media is to post your testimony either by typing a post or recording a video. Consider hitting these points:
Why are you posting this message now?
Coronavirus has people thinking about their mortality. It has also added a lot of pressures and caused a lot of stress. In contrast, the gospel is the answer to death, calms our fears, is a better and more lasting treasure than the things of this world, and offers many other benefits.
So why do you want to share the gospel right now? Do you want to offer people hope in the face of danger? Do you want to offer people the comfort walking with the Lord brings to daily life?
What is the gospel? In your own words explain how we’re separated from God by our sin, how Christ took our punishment in his cross, and how he offers forgiveness of sin, everlasting life, and adoption as his children by grace through faith.
Some helpful gospel presentations to help you organize your thoughts:
How does the gospel affect you in this moment? Coronavirus is scary. How does the gospel personally affect and reassure you right now? What comfort do you think Christ will offer your friends?
Invite them to respond. Invite your friends to ask you more! Ask them to continue the conversation, ask you questions, or click a link to a Bible verse you find comforting.
Option 2: Invite People With Gospel Conversation Starters
If posting your testimony directly isn’t your style, invite people to ask you about the gospel instead. Here are some conversation starters you can post (feel free to modify them!) to invite people to ask you about the peace you have in Christ:
This pandemic is causing a lot of frustration and worry for people right now. I have peace in the midst of this situation because of Jesus. I'd love to share that peace with you if you don't already have it. Message me or call me and we’ll talk more!
Hi friends, if you’re struggling with worry and fear during the coronavirus can I please pray with you and share some hope with you?
If the coronavirus has you down, I’d love to share with you how I am still finding joy through my faith. Please give me a call or send me a message so we can talk.
In the midst of a global crisis, I’m comforted that this world is not my home and I have a hope and a future. I would love to share that hope with you if you haven’t already found it.
Consider adding an attention-grabbing picture to your post like one of these.
If Your Aren’t on Social Media
This concept - offering the hope and comfort of the gospel to those in crisis - isn’t limited to Facebook. If you aren’t on social media evangelism is still for you!
Even through these social distancing protocols you are still likely in touch with people you care about in other ways. In those conversations your loved ones are probably expressing the same kinds of pressures and uncertainties that foster the kinds of conversations mentioned above.
So modify and use any of the examples in option 2 above in your texts, emails, and phone calls.
Part 2: Continue the Conversation
Once a friend expresses an interest in discussing the hope of the gospel, here are some tips for continuing the conversation:
Take the Conversation Off The Timeline
We don’t recommend having that conversation in the comments section of your initial post. This is a personal conversation and will be helped by making it a real-time conversation.
Ask your friend to jump on a video chat or a phone call if they can. That way you can communicate in real time, show the care and concern you have in your voice, and show them the joy you have in Christ with the smile on your face!
Think About Their Biggest Fear
There are two kinds of fear the coronavirus is likely to raise in people, and the gospel addresses both:
Mortality: Whether sick or not, the pandemic forces us to examine the frailty of our lives. Every one of us needs to address the fact that we will one day die, whether from coronavirus or some other cause. The intensity of this situation is making people think about death much more readily.
To the question of mortality, the gospel says: “In Christ, death is not final!”
Some passages you might share with your friends: John 3:16, Eph 2:1-10, 1 Thes 4:13–18
The Stress of Today’s Difficulty: No matter how COVID 19 impacts your life, it’s adding stress. Some people might be facing job loss, frenzied schedules, being thrown into homeschooling with no preparation, and other big stresses.
The gospel doesn’t just give us a hope for tomorrow. It gives us Christ with us right now! We walk with God through the hard things and he provides us peace in the midst of trouble.
Some passages you might share with your friends: Psalm 23, 1 Pet 1:3-12
In your conversation try to sense which fear your friend feels most threatened by and guide the conversation towards the gospel truths that address that.
Answer Questions and Objections
People who don’t know Christ probably don’t know much about Christianity, so expect to be asked questions!
Their questions might be…
Informational: What is the Bible? Who is Jesus? What is grace? Is God real?
Personal: Does God really love me? Why do you believe the Bible? What is being a Christian like? Does your faith really help you?
Apologetic: Why doesn’t God just stop the coronavirus?
There are too many possible questions for the Shoreline elders to help you in advance. Don’t feel bad saying, “I’m not quite sure how to answer that yet,” and reach out to us for help!
Don’t Feed the Trolls
Some people won’t like the fact that you post your testimony or an invitation. They might call you names, they might slander your motives, or some other form of opposition.
The Lord told us to expect this:
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.” Matt 10:24–25
However, he also promised:
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matt 5:11–12
If your post receives any kind of slander, we don’t recommend you try to defend yourself. Trolls are normally in it for the sport, not for the truth.
Conclusion
The elders are committed to helping Shoreline live out our mission: Proclaim, Build, Serve. Proclaiming the gospel of Christ might be the most challenging aspect of that call while social distancing protocols are in place. We’re praying for you - that the Lord would grant you boldness to be an evangelist in this moment and that he will give you success!
