Gospel Fluency

“To become fluent in a new language, you must immerse yourself in it and commit to practicing it, over and over again. You must use it every day until you actually start to think about life through it. Becoming fluent in the gospel happens the same way—after believing it, we have to intentionally rehearse it (to ourselves and to others) and immerse ourselves in its truths. Only then will we start to see how everything in our lives, from the mundane to the magnificent, is transformed by the hope of the gospel.” – Jeff Vanderstelt

Gospel fluency is the ability to bring the truths of Jesus’s reign and rule, and the good news of the kingdom, into all of our experiences in life. As Jeff Vanderstelt reminds us,“The Gospel isn’t just good for our salvation. It’s powerful for our sanctification, our transformation and ultimately keeps us til the end.”

To cultivate gospel fluency, ask yourself, “Where do I need the truth of the gospel in my life today?” When we learn to recognize God’s presence in our moments of anxiety, shame, fear, grief, questioning, or doubt, we can share our experiences with others. By offering hope and listening attentively, we can present the gospel in ways others will understand. 

When a relationship is grounded in trust, we can ask deeper questions and understand the longings that live below the surface. We can also share our own challenges and how God meets us in those harder places. Gospel fluency is about bringing Jesus’ message to everyone, no matter who they are or what they’ve been through. By contextualizing the gospel message for different people, we can connect with their feelings and introduce them to the source who can meet their greater need: Jesus.

We can extend gospel fluency to others who may need more than words from us. Sometimes, a listening ear and a helping hand can open doors for deeper connection. Consider how God might use you to support the parents of a child struggling with mental health issues or someone in an abusive relationship. Gospel fluency is about living a life that reflects the incarnation of Jesus.

It’s also a good practice to reflect on ways Jesus has met you in your everyday struggles and challenges. Craft a short paragraph about how exactly God is working. By doing this we apply 1 Peter 3:15 (Easy Version)

Instead, always remember that Christ is your Lord. Let him rule how you live. People may ask you, ‘Why do you trust God to help you?’ You must always be ready to answer them about that.

Now that you have an idea of how God is meeting you in your daily life, ask God to give you the opportunity to share your story with someone else.