John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
When to use it: The whole gospel in one sentence. Say it slowly and ask what stands out to them.
26 verses · NIV · free
The verses that carry a gospel conversation, in order: God's love, our sin, what it costs, what Jesus did, how to respond, and the new life that follows. Full NIV text, when to use each one, and the Romans Road in five verses.
Start here. Most people have heard that God is angry long before they hear that he is love.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
When to use it: The whole gospel in one sentence. Say it slowly and ask what stands out to them.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
When to use it: For someone who thinks following Jesus means a smaller, duller life.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
When to use it: For someone who is tired, anxious or carrying something heavy.
Sin is not a word for other people. Say "we", not "you".
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
When to use it: For "I'm a good person." All includes the person sharing the verse.
“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
When to use it: Shows the problem and the answer in one verse: we wandered, and God put it on Jesus.
Be honest about it, and do not rush past it. The good news is only good if the bad news is real.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
When to use it: Wages are earned; a gift is not. Point to the word "but".
“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment”
When to use it: For someone who asks what happens after we die. Gently, never as a threat.
This is the centre. Who Jesus is and what he did, not what we do for God.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
When to use it: For "I have to clean up my life first." He died for us before we changed.
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures”
When to use it: Paul's own summary of the gospel: died, buried, raised.
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
When to use it: The great exchange: he took our sin, we receive his righteousness.
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.”
When to use it: Why he died: to bring you to God. Not to make you religious.
“Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."”
When to use it: For "all religions lead to God." Let Jesus' own words carry it, kindly.
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
When to use it: Pairs with John 14:6 when someone asks why Jesus specifically.
A gift has to be received. Ask if they want to, and never squeeze out a yes.
“If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
When to use it: What responding looks like: trust that he is risen, and say he is Lord.
“for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."”
When to use it: For "God wouldn't want someone like me." Everyone means everyone.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
When to use it: For someone trying to earn it. Nothing to add, nothing to prove.
“"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!"”
When to use it: Jesus' first message: turn around, and trust him.
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
When to use it: A picture of invitation, not pressure. He knocks; he does not break in.
For the moments after someone says yes, or for a believer who doubts.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
When to use it: For a new believer on day one. Their past does not define them now.
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”
When to use it: Identity: not just forgiven, adopted.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
When to use it: For a believer who keeps failing. It is his faithfulness, not theirs.
“"Come now, let us settle the matter," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."”
When to use it: For "I've done too much." Nothing is too red for him.
Read these before you go out.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
When to use it: The command is disciples, not decisions, and he goes with you.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”
When to use it: The power is in the message, not in how well you say it.
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”
When to use it: Prepared, gentle and respectful. All three.
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
When to use it: Why we go: he went first.
Follow the shape of the message: God's love (John 3:16), our sin (Romans 3:23), its cost (Romans 6:23), what Jesus did (Romans 5:8, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4) and how to respond (Romans 10:9, Ephesians 2:8-9). You rarely need more than three or four in one conversation.
A way of explaining the gospel using verses from Paul's letter to the Romans: Romans 3:23 (all have sinned), Romans 6:23 (the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life), Romans 5:8 (Christ died for us while we were still sinners), Romans 10:9 (declare Jesus is Lord and believe God raised him) and Romans 10:13 (everyone who calls on the Lord will be saved).
Memorise a few well rather than many badly. John 3:16, Romans 6:23 and Romans 5:8 carry most conversations. Reading a verse from your phone is fine; what matters is that you understand it and can say it in your own words too.
The New International Version (NIV), quoted word for word. Use whichever faithful translation the person you are talking with can understand best.
Put them in a conversation with the gospel conversation planner, learn how to share the gospel in five minutes, or write your story in 60 seconds. When someone is ready, read how to lead someone to Christ; when they push back, how to answer common objections gently.
Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.