For many of us, those four words have a very clear implication. A test is coming. For those of us who have grown up in the age of scantron answer sheets, filling in bubbles with #2 pencils, has become a right of passage. I was always thankful when I learned that the exams were going to be scantron, because that meant multiple-choice, or sometimes more accurately called “multiple-guess.” With a multiple-choice test I knew that I had a least a one-in-four chance of getting the answer right. Then I went to college, and there I was introduced to the dreaded blue book. Some of my fellow students preferred the blue book because they were good at “snowing.” They had the gift of writing a lot in a short amount of time, usually saying very little (I wonder how many went into politics?). Their strategy was to lull the prof to sleep by sheer volume, hoping that with hundreds of blue books to grade, they could catch him in a moment of weakness and receive a generous grade. Of course, any professor worth his salt saw through this tactic, and probably resented the extra work required to read through the meaningless, rambling drift. But, the most dreaded type of exam of all, was the oral exam. The oral exam enlivened fears of not only of exposing the true depth of ignorance, but also coupled it with the common fear of speaking in front of people. What would happen if you, unexpectedly without any time to prepare, had to give an oral report on the topic of utmost importance, the gospel? How would you do? Would you pass? As believers in Jesus Christ, disciples, we believe in the gospel. It is the message that has saved us, is saving us, and will save us. Like Peter, we have come to say, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:68-69 [ESV]). If our marching orders as disciples are to make disciples of all the nations (Matthew 28:18-20), it should go without saying, that we should be able to explain the gospel. But if we were honest, most us would have to admit that we probably have some studying to do before the next exam. The following are two suggestions to help us be better prepared to give an account for the hope that is in us. 1. What is the Gospel, by Greg Gilbert (Crossway, 2010)
Reading through this short little book will sharpen your focus on the essentials of the gospel message and help give you confidence when talking to others. 2. Two Ways to Live, the choice we all face, (http://www.matthiasmedia.com.au/2wtl/)
Perhaps you already have your own favorite evangelistic tool. If you do, great! Stick to it! What I like about Two Ways is that it is a God-centered, accurate and clear gospel presentation. It also mentions the return of Christ, which many gospel tracts ignore. –Pastor Dave