When we think about the vastness of the world and the billions of people who inhabit it, the message of the good news can feel overwhelming. How can we possibly reach everyone? Yet, if we believe that this message is meant for every person on earth, we must also believe it is meant for Nebraskans and, yes, even our neighbors across the Missouri River in Iowa.

Our Mission: Reaching Those Closest to Us

We are strategically positioned to reach those geographically near us. This isn't just about proximity but about the relationships and connections we already have. God has placed us here, in this time and place, as part of a mission that traces back through centuries, all the way to the apostles. Each of us is here because someone shared the good news with us, and before them, someone else passed it on, continuing a chain of grace that spans two millennia. Our challenge is whether we will be the final link in that chain or if we will continue it by reaching one more person.

Reaching out isn't just for those with a Bible school degree or years of ministry experience. It's an all-skate—everyone is in. You can't reach 500,000 people in Omaha or 8 billion around the world by making it the exclusive job of a few. We need everyone—kids, seniors, athletes, couch potatoes, those with a fashion sense, and those without. It was the ordinary people, the "Joes" rather than the "Pros," that Jesus chose. So if you think you're just a "Joe" and not a "Pro," he's calling you to go!

Sharing the Good News: Your Story and His Story

There will come a time when you're at a table with people who don't know Jesus. Remember our challenge? At that moment, it will become clear that there's a gap in their understanding about how to find eternal life. There are two key things you should be able to do: tell your story and tell His story.

Telling Your Story

Everyone has a story. One of the biggest fears people have is that their story isn't exciting enough. They feel their story needs to be a dramatic transformation from prison to freedom. However, each of us has experienced moments of brokenness where Jesus made a difference. It could be a shift from confusion to truth, from following rules to living in grace, or from seeking gratification in worldly pleasures to finding fulfillment in Jesus. Maybe it was a moment of healing, overcoming an addiction, changing how you raise your kids, or moving from loneliness to a life filled with God's presence.

Your story doesn't need to be about moving from everything bad to everything good. Life with God is a journey, and he meets us in our brokenness, empowering us when life is at its lowest. Conversations about your story can happen anywhere—at home, in public, or even online.

Take Kylie Cole, for example. She is a school counselor, a mother, and someone who has experienced significant loss. Kylie shares her story of recovery from alcoholism openly and authentically on Facebook. Here’s a piece she shared recently:

Kylie’s story is a powerful example of vulnerability and humility. It points to Jesus, not herself, and reveals a window of brokenness—thirst—that many can relate to.

Think about your own windows of brokenness. How has Jesus transformed those parts of your life? This past week, I had dinner with a friend from my science and faith forum. After listening to his spiritual journey, I shared my story of moving from skepticism to clarity. It was a powerful moment.

Telling His Story: The Three Circles

Now, let's talk about telling His story. Sometimes, you'll have the chance to explain the main message of Christianity in just a few minutes. Whether you’re addressing misconceptions about Jesus or simply sharing the good news, it helps to have a clear and concise tool.

One such tool is the "Three Circles" method:

1. Circle of Brokenness:

   • We live in a world full of brokenness—abusive relationships, divorce, greed, people hurting people, suicide, wars, anxiety.

   • We try to escape through alcohol, success, changing partners, or escapism through TV or the internet, but we always get pulled back into brokenness, often worse than before.

   • This sense that something is deeply wrong comes from the fact that the world isn't as it was meant to be.

2. Circle of God’s Design:

   • God designed the world to operate according to His ways—love, abundance, order, healthy relationships, justice, humility.

   • Our hearts long for this, but every human has turned away from it. Every time we betray God's ways—whether through lying, judgment, or more severe sins—we contribute to the world's brokenness. This rebellion is called sin, and everyone is guilty.

   • If we die in this state, we remain separated from God forever.

3. Circle of Jesus' Solution:

   • God provided a solution by sending Jesus to our broken world. Jesus took all the brokenness—the lies, hatred, and murder upon Himself and paid the ultimate price by dying.

   • But the game-changer is that He rose from the dead. Jesus conquered death and brought a new way of life—a kingdom where He reigns as our king, bringing peace, healing, and restoration.

   • To enter this new life, we must trust Him rather than our own efforts or escapes and ask Him to be our king.

You can ask someone, "Where do you see yourself living right now? In brokenness or in God’s perfect design? Where would you like to live?" If they express a desire to live in God's design, offer to help them get there.

Practicing the Three Circles

I appreciate several things about the Three Circles method:

1. It starts with brokenness, which everyone can relate to. Starting with God might lead to immediate rejection, but brokenness is a common ground.

2. It highlights God's heart and explains sin in a way that gives everyone responsibility.

3. The solution of Jesus is clear, emphasizing His death, resurrection, and kingdom.

4. It concludes with life, renewal, and aligning with God's heart.

5. You can add elements like Bible verses or additional steps for growth and ongoing discipleship.

To get comfortable with this tool, it’s important to practice. Sharing the gospel, like any skill, requires repetition. Athletes, pilots, and musicians all get better through repeated practice, and the same goes for sharing your faith.

A Challenge for This Week

This week, I challenge you to share the Three Circles with someone who isn't a regular churchgoer. Tell them you’ve just learned this new tool to explain Christianity in under three minutes and ask for their feedback.

Remember, it takes practice to get good at this. You might feel awkward at first, but God will guide you. Let's continue the chain of grace by reaching one more person.

If you’d like a quick refresher, check out this video that explains the Three Circles in under three minutes: Three Circles in Three Minutes.

Let’s go out and share the good news!