Learn to Reach Your World - Episode 2

This episode of the Learning to Reach Your World podcast, hosted by Josh Combs, focuses on equipping Christians to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with friends, family, and those they encounter in everyday life. The gospel is succinctly defined as the good news that humanity has sinned against God but, in His love, God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for those sins, be buried, and rise again. The proper response to this gospel, as declared in Romans 10:9, is to repent of sin and believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior—a central theme discussed throughout the episode.

The episode begins by posing a reflective question: “Am I prepared right now to share the hope of the gospel?” Josh is joined by his wife, Jen, who provides a vulnerable yet relatable perspective as a self-identified "non-talker" with social anxiety. Her personal journey sheds light on practical ways to prepare for gospel-sharing, even if it doesn’t come naturally.

Key Lessons and Preparation Tips:
Understand the Gospel Deeply:
The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ—nothing more and nothing less.
Ensure you clearly distinguish the gospel from other truths, like "God loves you," while navigating conversations.

Be Immersed in Scripture:
Jen emphasizes the importance of continually reading the Bible, as it equips your heart and mind with truth. As she notes, Scripture has to be "in there for the Lord to pull it out."
Reading regularly, even without perfect memory, helps the Holy Spirit bring the right words to mind during crucial moments of sharing the gospel.

Mental and Spiritual Preparation:
Pray for boldness and opportunities to share the gospel.
Overcome reluctance or discomfort by recognizing that temporary nerves are far better than the longer-lasting regret of not sharing when the opportunity arises.

Simplify the Message:
Focus on essential truths: repentance (turning from sin) and belief (trust in Jesus' resurrection and lordship). Have bullet points or a cheat sheet to guide conversations.
It’s not about speaking perfectly but about conveying truth. As Jen says, “People get saved in spite of us.”

Be Available and Attentive:
Avoid overloading your schedule to the point where you have no margin for unexpected encounters.
Structuring your life to include quiet moments and flexibility enables you to notice and engage with others.

Gentleness and Respect:
First Peter 3:15 serves as a cornerstone verse: “...always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
Approach conversations with respect for the other person's background and patiently guide them toward the gospel.

Practical Strategies:
Write down essential scriptures and carry them on your phone for easy access.
Practice sharing the gospel with family or a friend who already knows Christ to build confidence and clarity.
Acknowledge dependence on God to work through your weaknesses and inadequacies, as described in Exodus 4:10-12, where God reminds Moses that He will guide his mouth and teach him what to speak.
The episode closes with encouragement for listeners to take the next step in sharing their faith today, and to trust that God will use their willingness for His glory. Josh and Jen inspire believers to overcome their fears, minor inadequacies, or social anxieties and recognize they are instruments in God’s hands.