Scripture advises us to “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you…” (1 Peter 3:15).

 

While many of us know that we are to share the good news, the reality is that not all of us feel gifted at that. Most of us really just don't know what to do or say.

 

We would like to share with you two ways GoodSeed staff and other believers around the world have been sharing the message of the Bible. Both are doable. Both are easy. Both can be done by most people.

Just give away a book.

 

Our resources are designed to explain the gospel clearly. Giving a book allows a person to take the time to learn the gospel message at his own pace, in the privacy of his home. Through giving away, we have seen many people come to put their trust in Jesus Christ.

 

Being ready to give away a gospel tool requires some very simple planning:

 

1. Prepare a “Be Ready Box”

Have a box of gospel tools ready to be given away. We call this your “Be Ready Box.” The Be Ready Box is just any simple box for you to store the tools. It could be:

• a sturdy cardboard box
• a padded zipper pouch for your work bag
• your vehicle's glove compartment
• a shelf at home

 

For your Be Ready Box, you’ll need to think of the type of people you come across in your daily life, and then pick out a number of tools that will be helpful for them. Aside from resources in your own language, include translations that are meaningful for people in your community. For example, if there are people in your neighbourhood who have an Asian or Middle Eastern background, you may want to include Arabic, Chinese or Korean.

 

Put your Be Ready Box in a place where you will have opportunity to meet people, have conversations and give away the gospel. A few places or scenarios you can consider are:

 

• Near the main door of your house for salesmen, neighbours and friends who drop by
• In your car for your server at the restaurant or service staff at the gas station
• In your backpack for times when you are riding the bus, train or plane and get into conversation with a fellow passenger
• Shelf in the office for co-workers and business partners

 

2. Pray for opportunities

Ask God for one person you can give the gospel to. And be on the lookout for who God is sending your way.

Just read a GoodSeed book with a friend.

 

Some people feel there is absolutely no way they can teach a friend about the Bible. They have not done it before, they are shy or they do not know what to say. However, there are many testimonies of people coming to a good understanding of the gospel just because a friend read it with them. How did they do it?

 

GoodSeed resources are designed to be read aloud, so many of them just sat down and read one of the GoodSeed resources with them. They would read the text out loud while their friend would read the Bible verses. They would read the whole book together and talk about it. Often, friends find it easier to finish reading a book and understand it when they have someone to do it with.

GoodSeed resources are designed to be read aloud, so many of them just sat down and read one of the GoodSeed resources with them. They would read the text out loud while their friend would read the Bible verses. They would read the whole book together and talk about it. Often, friends find it easier to finish reading a book and understand it when they have someone to do it with.

 

We like to say, “if you can read, you can lead”. You can guide any one of your friends to a good understanding of the gospel if you make the time to sit and read it with them.

 

In guiding a friend through the gospel in this way, try to complete it in as short a time as possible. This will allow them to understand the biblical narrative better. Here are a few ideas you may also want to try:

 

• lead a small group of youth or believers
• do a one-on-one study with a friend, family member or neighbour
• as a couple, lead the study with another couple
• invite newcomers in church to go through a study with you
• share with your co-workers in a lunchtime study

 

If you would like more information or training on giving and guiding, please contact our office.