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Prepare to share the gospel!

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Disclaimer – This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author alone and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and/or do your own research into the scriptures.

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Prepare to share the gospel!

We continue discussing how, as part of our Christian walk, we have the privilege of participating in God's plan for other people's lives, which may include sharing the gospel.

Teleios recently evaluated attitudes toward sharing the gospel among young Christians. There were 457 total participants, of whom about 2/3 were each < 18 years old, protestant, and evangelical. More results can be seen here. The results showed that these young Christians recognized the need to share their faith. However, many feared sharing the gospel, mostly because of social awkwardness, not knowing what to say, how to answer questions, or the contents of the Gospel itself. In fact, verbally expressing the gospel to others was their fifth-favorite way to share the plan of salvation (7%), whereas lifestyle, encouragement, praying, and loving others were preferred.

How, then, do we share the gospel without necessarily being social outcasts? This may not always be easy to avoid, because Christ says, “they will hate us as they hated Him” (John 15:18-25). However, here are some tips that might help.

Mental preparation

Great message - Remember the Bible is true and good for anyone who hears it. What the world has to offer as a replacement god, for example, humanism, statism, and atheism, is hateful, bigoted, anti-freedom, and very dark.

Don't be legalistic – Do not tell people the plan of salvation through guilt-producing legalistic schemes. We have a great message we can share with joy.

Don’t feel guilty - The epistles tell us to be obedient (just do it!) and do not mention guilt. We have the joy to tell others about salvation. It is the hearer’s responsibility to accept God’s message. Further, it is God Himself, not us by our efforts, who brings people to faith (John 6:44; John 16:8-11).

Learn the gospel - It is short and easy (Please see the bottom of the page).

Preparation to share

Plan. Most of us are too busy to remember to share the gospel. Therefore, think ahead of time about who might be responsive and plan an approach to share the gospel with them. I usually allow about 6-12 months to accomplish this goal.

Prepare the conversation. If you haven't already, take time to get to know the person you wish to share the gospel with. People generally like to speak about themselves. They want to know that you like and respect them. This means first listening to them about their life. Then ask questions about what is important to them. Listen!

Bring God into the discussion. Over time, they begin to ask how they were raised religiously, about their church background, and what they think about God. Ultimately, you can ask them what they perceive their church teaches about Christ and what they believe about Christ. Our Savior is the key issue! At this point, you know what they think and what their needs are. You can then tailor-make your message to meet their needs. It can be as simple as after they tell you their beliefs about Christ, you can say, ‘This is what scripture says is His message, then simply tell them the plan of salvation.

Tell them the gospel. Be direct and avoid confusion. The gospel message is simple, so be succinct. It ultimately requires a ‘yes/no’ response or ‘I'm thinking about it.’ Often, I will use the offer of a 4-week Bible study to discuss the claims of Christ and let them see it for themselves.

Follow-up. If the person with whom you are sharing accepts Christ as Savior, then follow up with them in a Bible study (such as Ephesians) or refer them to your church or someone who can teach them. Make sure they have fellowship. Remember, it is God who causes a new believer to stand, and it is not our work (Romans 14:4). So be responsible, but don't be personally responsible. If they say no or are thinking about it, follow up over weeks or months to ask what they're thinking.

It’s a privilege to share the gospel, be part of God's plan in people's lives, and see its power to change lives!

THE GOSPEL - Be sure you are a Christian based on these biblical truths!

1. Man sinned.

2. God is just, requiring a punishment for sin.

3. But out of love God sent His Son, Jesus Christ who by dying on the cross, provided forgiveness of sins in taking man’s deserved punishment.

4. Therefore, by faith alone in Christ’s sacrifice for our sins and belief in His resurrection, man can gain eternal life.

(Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 10:9-10, 3:21-26)

Thanks for visiting, and see you again next week.

William C. Stewart, MD

Website – http://teleiosresearch.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/teleiosresearch

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Do not fear sharing the gospel!

As part of our Christian walk, we have the privilege of being a part of God's plan for other people's lives, which, depending on the situation, includes sharing the gospel. Teleios recently evaluated 370 midlife Christians from a Bible-believing church in the Midwest about their attitudes in telling others the plan of salvation. There was widespread hesitancy to share the gospel mostly because of social fear, not knowing what to say, nor how to answer objections. These church members opted for other perceived avenues to share the gospel such as lifestyle and invitations to church as opposed to explicitly stating the plan of salvation. More results from this study can be seen at https://teleiosresearch.com/explaining-the-gospel-and-wellbeing-among-christian-evangelicals/.

Teleios also evaluated the same type of questions in young Christians. There were 457 total participants of whom about 2/3 each < 18 years of age, protestant and evangelical. The results showed that young Christians recognize the need to share their faith with most doing so about once a year or once a month (62%) although some never tell others (17%). They indicated on average less fear in sharing the gospel (80%) or any aspect of their faith (53%) than their elders in the prior survey. However, they also seemed to have high levels of guilt for not sharing the gospel (96%) and thought they should tell others more (98%).

Like their older counterparts those who feared sharing the gospel generally did so because of social awkwardness, as well as not knowing what to say, how to answer questions and the contents of the Gospel itself. In fact, verbally expressing the gospel to others was their fifth favorite way to share the plan of salvation (7%) whereas lifestyle, encouragement, praying and loving others were the preferred choices. Importantly, almost all our participants (>90%) indicated the Bible is inerrant and true. More results from this study can be seen at https://teleiosresearch.com/young-christians-need-help-sharing-the-gospel/. The results of the survey are encouraging because it demonstrates there exists a young population of ardent evangelicals believe that the Bible is true, and that the gospel should be shared.

However, like their elders, young Christians have inhibitions in expressing the gospel and do not know its contents. The survey participants may be unfamiliar that scripture says for people to believe they explicitly must hear the gospel message (Romans 10:14-17). Otherwise, people are unable to interpret our love and lifestyle as knowing how to accept Jesus Christ as Savior. It takes a succinct verbal expression of the gospel for people to understand and believe (please see bottom of the page). To the participants point, however, our lives must be framed in godliness (1 Thessalonians 2:1-12) to be an effective witness for Christ. But that life would be wasted if we cannot teach others how to become Christians.

For example, if your teacher stood before class and said nothing while living a good quiet life and then handed out a test, and you failed because you didn't know the information, you might be furious because she failed to teach you. Same with the gospel, our lifestyle just doesn't teach what God intended and we need to say it. Another vital point from the survey, believers saved by grace through Christ should not feel guilt. Those forgiven have no reason for guilt and there is no injunction in the Bible to suffer with it.

At the Teleios Foundation we believe the Bible is true instruction to salvation and healthy lives. What we offer to society is correct and true. In contrast, what the world offers through globalism, humanism, communism, identity and statist politics cannot match the glory and the benefits from of our blessed Savior. We should not recoil from the world but realize what we have is good for our family, friends and society.

Thanks for visiting my blog. Next week, we will discuss ways to share the gospel and avoid those awkward, fearful emotions. Please join us then!

THE GOSPEL - Be sure you are a Christian based on these biblical truths!

Man sinned.
God is just, requiring a punishment for sin.
But out of love God sent His Son, Jesus Christ who by dying on the cross, provided forgiveness of sins in taking man’s deserved punishment.
Therefore, by faith alone in Christ’s sacrifice for our sins and belief in His resurrection, man can gain eternal life.

(Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 10:9-10, 3:21-26)

Thanks for visiting and see you again next week.

William C. Stewart, MD

Website – http://teleiosresearch.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/teleiosresearch

Friday, January 2, 2026

Should you tithe?

Welcome back to my blog. I am glad you are here. The topic of tithing to the church can be a difficult one. To investigate young believers’ beliefs over this fascinating issue we conducted a survey of which 548 persons completed. Participants were: 80% female, 82% evangelical, and 85% <40 years of age. See full report here Tithing: What young believers believe? How the participants tithed is described in Table 1.

Further, 82% said that missions or parachurch organizations could receive part of their tithe while 60% indicated material possessions or time could be part of their tithe. Table 2 addresses the participant’s biblical basis of their tithing.

Tithing is a concept introduced in the Old Testament law and refers to 10% of gains in crops and herds be given to the use of God (Numbers 18:24-28; Deuteronomy 12:6-12; Deuteronomy 14:22-28). One prior mention of tithing stretches back to Genesis 14 in Abraham's tithe to King Melchizedek after his great victory over the Mesopotamians.

Tithing is not mentioned in the New Testament epistles for the church. Importantly, Christ said He is the end of the Old Testament law (Romans 10:4). Therefore, the law has been discontinued and does not govern the church; Christians do not have to follow it (Hebrews 7:12-22).

The New Testament does state (2 Corinthians 9:7), however, everyone should choose to give to God’s work, without sorrow, because God loves those who give joyfully! The Apostle Paul (Philippians 3:8) provides us an example when he states that he counts all things loss for Christ. Importantly, everything we do as Christians is done by faith, including the extent and manner of giving (Romans 14:23).

Many who adhere to Reformed Theology believe the church was mysteriously present in the Old Testament and so we must obey the law, including tithing. However, no one obeys all the law, so its practical application is selective and inconsistent. If the church was present in the Old Testament, it is not mentioned specifically, it existed spiritually and here was certainly not a church structure that required a tithe.

In summary, tithing is based in the Old Testament law which New Testament believers are not required to obey because they follow Christ. In contrast, we have the opportunity to serve Christ with all our mental and physical possessions, in faith, as guided by the New Testament and prayer (1 Timothy 4:4-5).

Thanks for visiting, and see you again next week.

William C. Stewart, MD

Website – http://teleiosresearch.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch