Step # 1: You must show them that they are SINNERS.

1. Show them or else quote to them Romans 3:23 -

"For ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

a. Stress the word "All" - We are all in the same boat. Say, "This means I am a sinner and you are a sinner, doesn't it?"

Other Scriptures which show that "ALL have sinned"

1) Eccl.7:20 - "For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not."

2) Psalm 51:5 - "Behold I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me"

3) Rom. 3:10 - "...there is none righteous, no not one"

4) Rom. 5:12 - "...death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned"

[note: the fact that no one has perfectly kept the first and greatest commandment proves that all have sinned - Matt.22:37,38]

b. Make sure they understand what "sin" means.

This word "sin" means to miss the mark of God's perfect standard. We all come far "short" of the standard that God demands we reach in order for us to inherit His Heaven!

God's Perfect Standard	God's Glorious Standard
	Man's Standards of "Goodness
Man's Level of Morality

* Sin is failing to conform to the law of God.
Sinful attitudes are just as wrong as sinful acts.

Examples: Hatred is as bad as murder. Lust is as bad as adultery. Lying, stealing, etc., are sins.

* If we break one commandment, we are guilty of all (James 2:10)

c. Emphasize that our sin is what keeps us out of heaven.

SIN SEPARATES US FROM GOD.

d. If they can't see their sinfulness, ask:

"If Christ came into this room right now, could you look Him in the eye and say, I am just as good as You are?"

Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

1. Emphasize the word wages.

You may lead into your second step by asking them if they have or had a job anywhere. And mention that just as they received wages (pay - $) for their work, the Bible says that the wages or price that we must pay for our sin is death.

You may also mention that just as one who gets caught breaking the civil law must pay for it, so we must pay for breaking God's Law.

Emphasize that there is a payday coming (Heb. 9:27).

2. Emphasize that the payment is death.

a. Physical death

b. Spiritual death

Tell them that death is not cessation ("going out of existence") but separation.

Physical death is separation of body from soul. Spiritual death is separation of soul from God. This may be illustrated by showing them that there is not just one death but a second death (Rev. 21:8).

God cannot forget or overlook sin. His holiness demands that it be punished.

Simply stated: The wages of our sin is separation from God, forever, in Hell.

If ONE sin separated Adam from God in the Garden of Eden, how much more are we separated?

Read to him Romans 5:8 - "But God commendeth (shows) His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Emphasize that Christ:

1. Took our place
2. Is our substitute
* 3. Suffered for us (I Peter 3:18)
4. Became sin for us (II Cor. 5:21)
5. Took our sins in his own Body (I Peter 2:24)

Isaiah 53:5-6 - "the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."

Galatians 3:13 - "Being made a curse for us."

Christ did not die as an example, great teacher, martyr, or by accident. Rather, He laid down His life for His sheep (John 10).

Emphasize that Christ paid a debt He did not owe. We owe a debt we cannot pay.

Step # 4: Show them that God offers a GIFT of eternal life.

Flip back to Romans 6:23 - ". . . but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

1. Emphasize the word gift.

You may ask him, "Have you ever received a gift before?" (Ex: Christmas, birthday). Then state, "God is offering you eternal life as a gift."

a. A gift is free.
b. A gift is unearned.

2. Emphasize the word grace

Grace is the "unearned, undeserved, and even many times unwanted kindness and favor of God."

You may then turn in your Bible to Ephesians 2:8-9 and read both verses: "For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast."

Then comment on the fact that no one will stand before God and boast of the works whereby they earned eternal life.

3. Emphasize Who the gift is through: Jesus Christ.

State that it is not through:

a. Going to church, but through Jesus Christ
b. Giving to charity, but through Jesus Christ
c. Turning over a new leaf, or trying to do the best we can, but through Jesus Christ

You may then turn to I John 5:11-12.

A GIFT MUST BE RECEIVED!

Illustrated by using the Free Gift Offer Illustration: "Suppose I knew you were in need financially, so I offered you a $5 bill (hold it out - you may use a card or actual money).

Let's say for example that this money equals eternal life ($ = eternal life).
And this Bible (your little New Testament) represents Jesus Christ ( ______ = Jesus Christ).

"I place the $5 bill into the Bible and hand it to you like this; why, you'd take the book to get the $5, wouldn't you?

"This gift that God has for us is in Christ, and just as you take the book from my hand to get the gift of $5, so you must take Jesus Christ to gain eternal life.

Turn to Revelation 3:20 and mention that this is Jesus Christ speaking:

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice and open the door I will come in to him..."

1. Mention to them that Jesus is standing at the door of his heart and is knocking (Hint: point to person's heart or shoulder).

2. Mention: "If you hear His voice and open your heart and life to him, He will come into you and will save you from your sins."

You may say: "Though Christ has all power, He humbly knocks, as if He had none, waiting for you to open the door. (pause) If I were a good friend of yours and came over to your house and wanted to come in and knocked at the door (rap Bible), what would you say?"

Person should answer: "I'd say come in."

3. (Crucial point) - You say: "The Lord Jesus is waiting to come into your heart right now and save you from your sins and from hell and give you that GIFT of eternal life."

4. Turn back to Romans 10:13 - "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

5. You ask sincerely, unashamedly, compassionately: "Will you call upon Jesus Christ and invite Him to come into your life?"

6. Ask the question: "Do you mind if I pray and ask God to help you to understand the Bible verses and that you would be saved?"

Keep your prayer short and sincere! By praying, you are showing him:

a. That a person can speak from their heart to God (not in vain, repetitious words).

b. That a person can speak to God anytime or anywhere (not just in a church or to a priest).

7. Review the five steps by asking:

a. Do you know that you are a sinner?

b. Do you realize the price, wages, or penalty you deserve to pay for your sin: Hell?

c. Do you believe that Christ died for you and now offers you a free gift of salvation?

d. Are you willing to turn from all known sin and from whatever is keeping you from trusting Christ 100% and personally ask Christ to come into your heart and be your Savior?

e. Are you willing to do it now?

8. You say: "Are you willing to tell God what you have just told me." (i.e. #7)

If he/she says, "I don't know how."
9. Your reply: "All right, I'll help you. Just follow me out loud if you will."

Have him sincerely repeat each phrase:

a. "Dear Lord Jesus"
b. "I know that I am a sinner"
c. "I deserve to pay for my own sins in Hell"
d. "But I believe you love me"
e. "And I believe you died for me"
f. "I believe you paid for my sin"
g. "I believe you arose from the dead and now live"
h. "Please, come into my heart right now and save me."
i. "I now receive you as my Lord and Savior"
j. "I give my whole life to you"
k. "Amen"

10. Ask him if he meant it.

11. Ask him: "If you were to die now, where would you go? How do you know?"

His reply should be two-fold:

1) "Because I have accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior."
2) "Because the Bible says so. (I'm trusting God's promise)"

12. Have him in his own words thank the Lord for the gift of eternal life.

Ask: "What do you usually say when someone gives you a gift?" (Answer = Thank You)
Then ask: "Would you like to thank Jesus for the gift of eternal life He just gave you?"

13. Show him assurance verses (John 3:16, 5:24, 10:27-29)

Assure him: We are not saved by FEELINGS, but by the FACTS of God's Word!