How to Share the Gospel and Create a Gospel Bread Trail

By Susan Freese

Have you heard of Gospel Bread?

It’s an easy way to remember how to share the Gospel using four essential “ingredients.”

There are many methods to share the Gospel, and people are in different places in their spiritual journey. The key to evangelism is being Spirit-led through prayer and knowing the elements of the Gospel. This way you are able to adapt to each person’s needs or circumstances.

So no matter how you share Jesus’ story of salvation, include the Gospel Bread “ingredients” to deliver the whole meaning of the message.

Here are the "ingredients" to include as you share the Gospel . . .

1. God loves us: Share how God created us to glorify Him and experience His perfect love. God desires that we know Him and have a close relationship with Him.

“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.” (John 3:16 NIV)

2. Sin separates us: Share how sin broke our loving relationship with God. Sin means turning from God’s will in our attitude or actions. Living life our way, rather than trusting God, separates us from Him which results in death (Isa. 59:2, Rom. 6:23). No one is without sin.

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23 ESV).

3. Jesus saves us: Share how God loves us so much that He does not want us to remain separated from His love. God sent His only Son, Jesus, to save us from the penalty of sin and give us new, eternal life (John 3:16). Salvation is by God's grace through Jesus Christ, not our efforts or good works.

“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” (Eph. 2:8–9 NIV).

4. Repentance and Faith change us: Share that when we turn from our sins (that’s called repentance) and trust Jesus alone as our Forgiver and life Leader, He makes us new (2 Cor. 5:17). God restores our relationship with Him now, and one day, we’ll be with Him in heaven – our perfect home.

”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. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved (Romans 10:9-10 NIV). Faith and repentance go together.

The Holy Spirit may lead you to share the Gospel in different ways with different people in different places.

But no matter how you share it, include all the ingredients. (Remember the key words: love, sin, Jesus, repentance and faith.)

Need an approach to sharing your faith to get you started?

You can turn these Gospel Bread ingredients into a simple method, memorizing only the first Scripture address: John 3:16. Let’s show you how to create a Gospel Bread trail . . .

Develop a Gospel Bread Trail in Your Bible

Bookmark these verses in your Bible or keep them in your notes app on your phone. Then ask the person you are sharing the Gospel with to read these verses aloud.

After each verse is read aloud, ask them one question: what does this verse mean? Let them think about what they read and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s will.

If they struggle to respond, invite them to read the verse again and ask a follow up question. We also have a free printable version for you to download here.

1. Scripture: 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. John 3:16

Ask: What does this verse mean? (Or, do you know God loves us?)

Answer: God loves us and rescues us through Jesus.

2. Scripture: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God . . . Romans 3:23

Ask: What does this verse mean? (Or, why do we need to be rescued?)

Answer: All have sinned—turned from God's will in our attitudes and actions.

3. Scripture: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Ask: What does this verse mean? (Or, what is the penalty of sin?)

Answer: Sin brings death.

4. Scripture: Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. John 3:3

Ask: What does this verse mean? (Or, how do you see the Kingdom of God?)

Answer: We must be born again (have a spiritual new birth).

5. Scripture: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

Ask: What does this verse mean? (Or, why Jesus?)

Answer: Jesus is the only way to be saved. He paid our penalty to restore our relationship with God.

6. Scripture: 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. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” Romans 10:9-11

Ask: What does this verse mean? (Or, who can be saved and how?)

Answer: Anyone can receive salvation in they confess and believe in Jesus.

7. Scripture: And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:15

Ask: What does this verse mean? (Or, how should you live?)

Answer: I follow Jesus. I trust Him, knowing He loves me. This changed life is for my good, and Jesus can change your life, as well.

8. Scripture: He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. John 14:6

Ask: What does this verse mean? (Or, what is your choice?)

Answer: We choose to receive or reject God’s gift. Do you want forgiveness for your sins? Are you ready to follow Jesus and live for Him?”

If they say "no" . . .

Do not argue.

You did not fail.

You were obedient to share.

Keep praying for their salvation and invite them to learn more. You can share what you’re learning about God and invite them to your weekly gathering. You can also invite them to learn more or ask questions about Jesus online at needhim.org.

If they say "yes" . . .

Share the elements of the salvation prayer—believe, forgive, and help.

Guide them to pray.

Let them pray in their own words.

If they need help, here is an example of a prayer for salvation:

Heavenly Father, I have sinned against You. I want You to forgive my sins. I believe Jesus died on the cross for me and rose again to make forgiveness possible. Father, forgive me. I give my life to You; direct it as you wish. I want to follow Jesus Christ. Help me to trust and obey You. Thank You for Your promises to love me, save me, and never leave me. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Like a new baby, a new believer needs care. Invite them to your weekly gathering and local church. Give them a Bible (or show them how to access one online) and invite them to start reading the New Testament. You can find resources on how to disciple new believers here on our website, starting with our Bible study, Your True Story: The 50-Day Essential Guide to Your New Life with Jesus.

Sharing Jesus is the best way to love others—sharing the Gospel with someone can impact their life now and for eternity. Are you ready to share the Gospel?