Become Radical Like JesusSample

DAY 6: PROCLAIM

My wife, Debbie, was a fifth-grade teacher. One day she paired the kids off and instructed them to choose a topic to debate. Vicki (a strong Christian) and Dan (a devout atheist) settled on evolution vs. creation.

At their debate, Dan unleashed all his arguments for evolution. After making her argument for creationism, Vicki shared this gospel message:

God created us to be with Him.

Our sins separate us from God.

Sins cannot be removed by good deeds.

Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again.

Everyone who trusts in Him alone has eternal life.

Life with Jesus starts now and lasts forever.

The students, including Dan, immediately began making fun of her. Vicki asked if she could step out into the hallway to collect herself. My wife nodded. After a few minutes, she went to check on Vicki and found her on her knees in tears as she prayed out loud for her classmates’ salvation. This fifth-grade girl was a proclaimer—a bold witness for the gospel.

Be Brave Despite Antagonism

As described in Luke 4:18, Jesus read in his hometown synagogue from the prophet Isaiah:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” Isaiah 61:1

I imagine there was an audible gasp from the crowds after what he did and said next:

“He began by saying to them, ‘Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.’” Luke 4:21

With eight simple words, Jesus proclaimed himself to be the Messiah, the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy seven centuries earlier. His words proclaimed his identity and his plan to reach those in bad situations financially, spiritually, physically and socially.

Start with Those Who Know They Have a Spiritual Need

My ma raised me and my brother on her own without alimony or government support in a very tough, very poor part of our city. In fifth grade, I learned how to share the gospel and started trying to do so with my mom. But she continually shot me down, thinking God could never forgive her, especially for the sin of almost aborting me.

Finally, after about three years of me sharing the gospel with her, she trusted in Jesus! Since then, I have never stopped proclaiming this message. Why? Because I have been anointed and appointed to go preach the gospel—and so have you!

Radical Like Jesus Challenge

Memorize the G.O.S.P.E.L. acrostic above. Then go to dare2share.org/resources/how-to-share-the-gospel/ and learn how to share the G.O.S.P.E.L. naturally in conversation. Then go do it!