Teaching The Gospel In A Way That Connects:

World news, national news, local news, and personal news. There is a lot of news in the world that is important to students! All of these types of news have different levels of influence on a student’ life. Still, the most important type of news is the information that has the power to save their souls. The Gospel, or Good News, is more important for the lives of students than learning about current events in Social Studies class. Only the Gospel has the power to forgive students of their sin, make their relationship with God possible, and change their eternal destination.

First, teaching the Gospel in a way that connects begins with understanding the need of the Gospel. The Gospel may not seem important to students, if they don’t realize that they need it. Students need to understand the doctrine of sin and the effect sin has on their lives or they won’t realize that they need to be forgiven. This is similar to a person with a sickness that will eventually kill them. If they aren’t diagnosed, then they will likely not search for a cure. Teaching students both the gravity of sin and joy of forgiveness is important in teaching the Gospel in a way that connects. An example of a verse in the New Testament that does this is Romans 6:23 that says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Second, teaching the Gospel in a way that connects continues with understanding the power of the Gospel. The power of the Gospel is God himself. The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 1:16 that “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” Paul new this power personally. He was changed by the power of God while he was an enemy of God. Students need to be taught the power of God and what can happen when we share this good news with others. God uses this message of good news to transform lives both now and for eternity.

Third, teaching the Gospel in a way that connects progresses with the understanding of the urgency of the Gospel. One of the hard realities that is often ignored in youth ministry is the Bible’s teaching of Heaven and Hell. Many people like to celebrate Heaven while skipping over the reality of Hell. One theologian, Carl F. H. Henry, once explained “The Gospel is only good news if it gets there in time.” This reminds youth workers the urgency of teaching the Gospel to students and equipping them to take the Gospel message to their friends. The act of sharing the Gospel is urgent.

If the Gospel really is good news, then it makes sense that we teach it in a way that connects with students. Students can share this good news with their friends as they grow in their understanding of the Gospel. May God raise up a generation of youth workers and students who understand and share the Gospel.