Section 1–Introduction to Jewish Evangelism
Class 2: Engaging Jewish People with the Gospel
Teacher: Arielle Randle
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Class Notes
Gospel Contextualization
- The gospel is the greatest story ever told, touching on:
- survival and transformation (physical, emotional, relational, spiritual).
- For people to connect, they must find a personal intersection with the gospel.
- This is called gospel contextualization—framing the message of Jesus within the unique context of those listening.
Example: Paul’s Sermon at Mars Hill (Acts 17:22–31)
- Paul contextualized the gospel for Athenians by referencing:
- their religious devotion
- an altar to the “unknown god” as a bridge to introduce the true God
Paul’s Four Steps for Contextualizing the Gospel
- Immersion
- He stayed in Athens for over a month.
- He engaged daily in the synagogues and marketplaces.
- He intentionally spent time among the people he wanted to reach.
- Observation
- He studied Athenian culture and beliefs.
- He learned about their philosophies and high court debates.
- He quoted their own poets to show respect and connection.
- Engagement
- He built common ground by recognizing their religious devotion.
- He used their own cultural symbols to introduce the gospel.
- He presented Jesus as a new idea worthy of discussion.
- Call to Action
- He urged them to turn from idols and repent.
- He pointed to Jesus’ resurrection as undeniable proof.
Applying These Steps Today
- Immersion: Spend time with the communities you want to reach.
- Observation: Listen and learn—don’t make assumptions.
- Engagement: Share the gospel in a relatable, understandable
- Call to Action: Gently guide people toward taking a spiritual step forward.
What is the Gospel?
- God’s creation of the world
- Humanity’s fall into sin
- God’s redemption plan through Israel
- Jesus as Messiah:
- lived a sinless life
- died an atoning death
- was resurrected to restore relationship with God
- Restoration of all things:
- peace with God and eternal life for believers
How to Have Gospel Engagements with Jewish People
- Be curious
- Ask about their background, experiences, and beliefs.
- Show genuine interest in their perspective.
- Share personal experiences
- Talk about how God has worked in your life.
- Weave Scripture naturally into conversations.
- Use media as a bridge
- Share a thought-provoking article or video.
- Ask for their thoughts and reactions.
- Highlight Jesus’ Jewish identity
- Many assume Jesus is only for Christians.
- Show how His teachings align with Jewish values.
- Encourage Scripture exploration
- Offer a Gospel of Matthew or John.
- Ask them to share their thoughts after reading.
Recognizing the Right Moment for a Call to Action
- Timing matters—don’t rush or force the conversation.
- Be sensitive to openness and receptivity.
- Two types of invitations:
- Front Door (Direct Invitation)
- Invite them to a church event or discussion group.
- Ask if they’d like to pray to commit their life to Jesus.
- If hesitant, ask “What is holding you back?”
- Side Door (Indirect Invitation)
- Suggest an event that sparks spiritual thought.
- Example: “Would you like to see this art exhibit on the Psalms?”
- Front Door (Direct Invitation)
Real-Life Example: Hailey’s Journey
- Level A Engagement
- introduced through a friend
- discussed shared values and Jewish identity
- Level B Engagement
- attended Passover dinner together
- explored Jewish themes of redemption
- Level C Engagement
- shared the Gospel of Matthew and Messianic prophecies
- discussed the core message of Jesus
- Years later…
- Hailey came to faith in Jesus.
- She kept the Bible references on a Starbucks napkin!
Final Encouragement
- Sharing the gospel is an act of faith—we may not always see the outcome.
- The Holy Spirit is the one who saves, not us.
- Live out your faith authentically—it makes the gospel message more powerful.
For Further Reading
Learn more about a Messianic Jewish perspective on this topic.