What is the bad news / good news method of sharing the gospel?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The bad news/good news method of sharing the gospel begins by helping people understand the reality of their sinfulness and need for salvation. No human effort can earn God’s favor because we are all sinners whose actions are tainted by sin and all our righteous acts fall short of God’s perfection. Yet, God, in the person of Jesus Christ, came to earth to save us from our sins. Jesus lived a righteous life, took the punishment for our sins, and rose victorious over sin and death. Through faith in Him, God credits His righteousness to us, restores our relationship with Him, and offers eternal life. When people grasp the bad news, the good news of Jesus’ love and sacrifice brings immense hope.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Although the gospel is fully displayed in the New Testament, the Old Testament still provides references that help us to share the gospel with the bad news/good news method. Isaiah 64:6 reminds us of the bad news that “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” in God’s sight. No human effort can earn His favor.
• Though we are sinners, God promises redemption through the coming Messiah. He would bear our sins (Isaiah 53:4-6), be pierced for our transgressions (Zechariah 12:10), and bring salvation to all who trust in Him (Genesis 3:15; Psalm 22:16-18). Through Him, we are offered forgiveness, restoration, and eternal fellowship with God.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• In the bad news/good news method of sharing the gospel, we start by sharing the bad news—all human beings are sinners deserving of God's wrath (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23), currently living spiritually dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1-3), and ultimately headed to hell where an eternity of punishment and separation from God awaits (Matthew 25:46; 2 Thessalonians 1:9).
• There is no way we can earn our way into God's favor (Ephesians 2:8-9).
• We are completely destitute and utterly in need of salvation (Titus 3:5; John 3:16).
• Verses we can share in giving the bad news include Romans 3:10, 23; 6:23; Ephesians 2:1–3; 1 Corinthians 6:9–10; and John 3:18.
• The good news is that Jesus loves us and came to save us from our sins and that we can be saved through faith (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9).
• Jesus is both God and human, who came into the world, fulfilled the requirements of Law completely, and then died in our place (Romans 5; 6:23).
• Jesus lived a righteous life and took on the sins of the world (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22). He took the punishment for those sins (Isaiah 53:5-6; Romans 5:8). He then rose again from the dead, victorious over sin and its consequences (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 6:9).
• Then, in His grace, He offered salvation to us. If we believe in Him by faith, God accepts Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf (Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9). God sees us as righteous because Jesus paid the price we owe (2 Corinthians 5:21).
• All who trust in Jesus’ sacrifice can have a relationship with God, turn away from sin, and ultimately spend eternity in heaven with God (Ephesians 2:1–10; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11; 2 Corinthians 5:17).
• John 3; Acts 4:12; Romans 5; 6:23; 10:9; Ephesians 2:1–10; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11; and 2 Corinthians 5:17, 21 are all excellent verses to share with in the good news section.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The gospel is the good news. In fact, it is so good it is almost unbelievable. But a person can only appreciate the true goodness of the gospel if he first understands the starkness of current reality. He has to first know the bad news in order to understand that the good news is good.

When sharing the gospel in the bad news/good news method, it is often helpful to provide some illustrations when talking about the bad news because we humans are often not good at recognizing our own sinfulness. For example, we might ask if lying is wrong. Presumably the person will respond that it is. Then we ask if they've ever lied. Presumably they will reply with yes. Then we ask what this makes them. The response: a liar. We might then point out that breaking one of God's laws means breaking them all. Verses that we can share in giving the bad news include Romans 3:10, 23; 6:23; Ephesians 2:1–3; 1 Corinthians 6:9–10; and John 3:18.

When a person hears and is convinced of the bad news, it is devastating. It is heavy to realize our sin. Graciously, this is where the good news comes in. God loves us so much that He made the way for us to be saved and forgiven of our sins. All who trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection receive forgiveness and new life.

If the other person believes this, we can pray with them to confess their sins to God and their faith and trust in Him. We rejoice with them over the good news and welcome them into the family of God. Then we can help them plug into a Bible-teaching church and get on the road to discipleship and growth in Christ.

UNDERSTAND

• The bad news/good news method begins by clearly showing that all people are sinners in need of salvation.
• The bad news/good news method then presents the good news that Jesus lived, died, and rose to offer forgiveness and new life.
• Understanding the bad news makes the good news of Jesus’ grace and hope more meaningful.

REFLECT

• How does recognizing your own sinfulness deepen your appreciation for the good news of Jesus’ sacrifice?
• In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust that Jesus’ righteousness covers you?
• How do you respond to the reality that God offers forgiveness and new life through faith in Jesus?

ENGAGE

• How does the bad news/good news method help us communicate the gospel to others?
• Why is it important for people to first understand the seriousness of sin before hearing the good news of the gospel?
• How can we practically help others grasp both the bad news and the good news in their own lives?