The Three Circles Gospel Presentation: Step-by-Step
Are you looking for an easy way to share the gospel with others?
Look no further than the Three Circles Gospel Presentation. This simple method or tool has been used by tens of thousands of people and is both engaging and effective. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to use the Three Circles to introduce the gospel to others.
How to Introduce the Three Circles
Introducing the Three Circles is easy.
Simply ask, “Have you heard of the Three Circles?” If the person says no, say something like, “I’d really like to show it to you. It only takes a minute or two. Would that be OK?”
You can also try bridging the conversation with something from your own life to set the tone before asking the introducing question.
1st Circle: The Brokenness
To start, draw a circle on the right-hand side of a piece of paper.
You can make a jagged line through it and say something like, “You may have noticed when you turn on the news, a lot of bad stuff is happening.” Mention briefly a few relevant examples depending on what you think might interest the person.
These things might include anxiety, stress, family breakdown, pain, economic problems, bad government or any number of things that people would agree are a bad thing. For school children, it might be bullying.
Different things for different people.
Then say something like, “This circle represents the fact that we live in a BROKEN world. In fact, we were born into brokenness. Nothing is really fully the way it ought to be.”
2nd Circle: God’s Original Design
Next, draw a second circle to the left of the first one.
Say something like, “But it wasn’t always this way. When God first made the world, He made it beautiful and perfect.” In this circle, write things like love, peace, joy, health, and rightness. Maybe draw a love heart.
Our first ancestors lived this way for a short time.
“But something happened which moved us to this broken circle.”
Draw a line and an arrow from the Love Circle to the Broken Circle. Label it “SIN”. Basically, what sin is, is the choice to leave God out, to do things our own way, and not respect God’s Word.
You might like to elaborate on this very briefly, depending on the amount of time you feel is right to use. But don’t go on and on because if a person is interested, there will be opportunities to explain it more later.
“People don’t like living in brokenness, so they try various things to get out of it,” you explain next.
Draw various arrows moving out from the brokenness circle, and give them different labels. For example, “Money, or success, or achievement, or relationships, or philosophy, or good works, or religious activity.” “The problem is, none of these things actually get people out of brokenness. They might seem to help for a short time, but then people find themselves back in brokenness.”
Ask: “Does this make sense so far?”
3rd Circle: The Good News of Jesus
Finally, draw a third circle below the two circles already drawn. In the circle, draw a cross. You will also be drawing a down arrow before it and an up arrow after it.
“God knew nothing we could do by ourselves would get us out of this brokenness. But God loves us and didn’t want things to stay this way, so He sent his Son Jesus to the earth. He was born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead three days later.
When Jesus died on the cross, He took the punishment we deserved for our sin. When He rose from the dead, He defeated sin and made a way for us to experience salvation.”
Next Steps in 3 Questions
What happens next?
That will depend on their response.
You can ask them 3 main questions:
1. What circle do you live in now in your life?
2. What circle do you want to live in?
3. (If they said they want to live in God’s design): what is keeping you from following Jesus?
From there, it’s all about asking the right questions and trusting the Holy Spirit to guide the conversation. Some may not be ready to turn and believe, but that’s okay. We can invite them to pray and be open to talking again in the future.
For those who do want to go forward, it’s important to seek wisdom and lead them to immediate obediene to the gospel through baptism, regular discipleship, and participation in a church.
Let’s trust in God’s guidance and keep sharing His love with others.
Why the Three Circles Works
The Three Circles is an effective tool for sharing the gospel because it is simple, engaging, and easy to remember.
It doesn’t require any special training or equipment, and anyone can use it. By using the Three Circles, you can help others understand the basic concepts of sin, brokenness, and salvation in a way that is easy to understand.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a simple and effective way to share the gospel, the Three Circles tool is an excellent option. See a step-by-step Google Slide deck on 3 Circles here.
With just a piece of paper and a pen, you can help others understand the fundamental concepts of sin, brokenness, and salvation. By sharing your own personal testimony and using the Three Circles, you can help others find the salvation Jesus alone offers us.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the 3 Circles gospel sharing method?
The 3 Circles gospel sharing method is a simple and effective way to communicate the message of the Christian gospel using a visual representation. This method uses three interconnected circles to explain key concepts: God’s Design, Brokenness, and the Gospel. The purpose of the 3 Circles method is to engage in meaningful conversations about faith and lead individuals toward a better understanding of God’s plan for salvation.
2. How does the 3 Circles diagram work?
The 3 Circles diagram consists of three circles, each representing a different aspect of the gospel message:
a. God’s Design: This circle depicts God’s original plan for a perfect world, highlighting concepts like love, peace, and harmony. It emphasizes that humanity was created to have a meaningful relationship with God.
b. Brokenness: The second circle portrays the brokenness that entered the world due to sin. It encompasses struggles, pain, and separation from God. This circle helps people recognize the imperfections in the world and in their own lives.
c. The Gospel: The third circle represents the solution to brokenness—Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. It signifies the redemption and restoration offered through faith in Christ. This circle explains the path to reconciliation with God and eternal life.
The diagram serves as a visual aid to guide conversations about these concepts, making the gospel message easier to understand and remember.
3. Where can someone start in the 3 Circles diagram?
Individuals can start at any point within the 3 Circles diagram, depending on their current understanding and beliefs. Someone might begin at “God’s Design,” acknowledging the original purpose of a perfect world. Others might identify with the “Brokenness” circle, recognizing the challenges and broken aspects of their lives. Some may even begin at the “Gospel” circle, having heard about Christ’s redemptive work before.
Identifying one’s starting point helps in tailoring the conversation to address their specific concerns, questions, and needs, leading them toward a deeper comprehension of the gospel.
4. Where does someone want to be in the 3 Circles diagram?
The ultimate goal of the 3 Circles method is for individuals to move from their starting point toward the center of the diagram—the cross in the “Gospel” circle. This represents a journey of understanding and accepting God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. The desired outcome is for individuals to embrace faith in Christ, experience forgiveness, and establish a renewed relationship with God, ultimately receiving the gift of eternal life.
5. What might hinder someone from turning and trusting in the gospel?
In the context of the 3 Circles gospel sharing method, hindrances to turning and trusting in the gospel can be likened to the four types of soil mentioned in Mark 4:
a. Hard Soil: Just as hard soil prevents seeds from taking root, individuals with hardened hearts may resist the gospel due to skepticism or a closed mindset. Doubts, intellectual barriers, and preconceived notions can create a barrier to understanding and accepting the message.
b. Rocky Soil: Just as shallow soil lacks depth for roots to grow, some individuals might initially respond enthusiastically to the gospel but lack a strong foundation. They may be swayed by emotions or external factors, making their commitment to the gospel fleeting and easily undermined when challenges arise.
c. Thorny Soil: Similar to soil choked by thorns, distractions and worldly concerns can hinder someone from fully embracing the gospel. Materialism, worries, and competing priorities can suffocate the desire to trust in Christ and prioritize spiritual matters.
d. Good Soil: The goal is for individuals to be like the good soil, receptive and open to the gospel message. Good soil represents hearts that are willing to listen, understand, and cultivate a lasting relationship with God through Jesus Christ. These individuals are willing to turn and trust in the gospel, allowing it to take deep root in their lives.
Recognizing these different types of “soil” can help us understand how to highlight and exhort the listener to turn from the barriers in their life.
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