The first guide in the Evangelizing the World Around Me Discussion Guide looks at this reality.  It starts by looking at some of the descriptions the Word uses for the Gospel such as:

Gospel of God’s Grace (Acts 20:24)
Gospel of the Kingdom (Matthew 24:14)
Gospel of Salvation (Ephesians 1:13)
Gospel of Peace (Ephesians 6:15)
Gospel of Truth (Colossians 1:5)
Gospel of Hope (Colossians 1:23)
Gospel of Eternal Glory (2 Timothy 2:10)

If you think about it these descriptions in the context of lost souls, you will soon realize how the Gospel truly does touch the core of their being with some good news.  Here are some of my thoughts on these phrases.

Gospel of God’s Grace – Within all of us is the need to feel worthy. The Gospel teaches us that when it comes to salvation we are all on the same plain. There is no one righteous enough, yet Christ still loved us. In Him we find our worth.

Gospel of the Kingdom – We can seem insignificantly small in this vast universe but through the Gospel we have something bigger than us to be a part of –a sense of community, of belonging.

Gospel of Salvation – The Gospel is a way to right the wrong in this world, a way to be forgiven so we no longer have to live in guilt, a way out of darkness and futility of life.

Gospel of Peace – The conflict between ideals and reality diminishes as we trust in a sovereign God.

Gospel of Truth – There is something absolute, a standard without which everything would be a subjective mess and flux.

Gospel of Hope – There is meaning. A rational view of the universe exists explaining why things are the way they are and that they will get better.

Gospel of Eternal Glory – There is life after death so even though we live with the realization that death can come at any moment, we can be okay knowing that this world is not the end. Life is meaningless if there is no life after this.

We have the answer to man’s deepest needs.  Are we evangelizing the world around us?

The Greek word for gospel, ‘evangelion,’ means “good news.”

Evangelism (‘evangelizo’) means “to bring or announce good news.”

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! (Ps. 139:13-17)

Gray hair is a crown of splendor. (Prov. 16:31) The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old. (Prov. 20:29) Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.  (Ps. 71:18)

When God is our standard or authority on the sanctify of human life, we find a consistency in all stages and conditions of life in how people should be viewed.

Gen. 1:27 – “all” created in the image and likeness of God
2 Cor. 5:14-15; 1 Pet. 3:18 - Christ died for “all”

When God is our standard or authority on the sanctify of human life, we find a consistency in commands and instruction on how people who are oppressed, needy, or defenseless should be treated.

Sampling of verses:  Ps. 68:5; 82:3; James 1:27; 1 Jn. 3:17

When God is not the standard, we find inconsistency because sanctity of human life is based on personal opinion, scientific interpretation, or circumstances which are individualistic or relative rather than universal or absolute.   Some lives could therefore be considered more valuable than others.  Further, the same life could be valued in some settings or times but not in others.

The Social Issues:

abortion, human embryo research, human cloning, euthanasia, what to do with people who are disabled, etc.

The Moral Issues:  ethics 

Who should be protected and defended and who can be abused or destroyed?

Who should be given value and who can be disregarded and viewed as inferior?

Who should be treated with dignity and respect and who can be mocked or robbed of dignity?

The Deeper Issues:  authority

Do we listen to what the media tells us?  Does a plethora of propaganda make something right?

Do we go with what government allows?  Does legalization make something right?

Do we adhere to scientific theory?  Does someone’s interpretation of science make something right?

Do we hold to what seems expedient?  Do circumstances make something right?

Do we look for a source outside of ourselves?  Does God determine what is right?

How you handle the social issues are mere symptoms of your ethics.  Ethics stem from your basis of authority in making ethical decisions.  So, the real issue is how reliable your authoritative base is for making life and death decisions.

Homelessness demands a lot of resources.  You might feel you have enough problems of your own. 

Homelessness takes many of us out of our comfort zones.  You might have fears and insecurities about involvement.

Reasons not to get involved will abound so you need to just begin.  Here’s a process for getting your church involved:

1. Promote an awareness of the causes and  solutions of homelessness.   Look at it from a biblical perspective.  — Educate people about homelessness.
2. Partner with other ministries and community programs through giving of time, finances, and other resources.  Encourage individual giving but also set the example as a church and an easy path for individuals to give.  — Expose people to homelessness.
3. Present or provide opportunities for people to help both in preventing homelessness and assisting those who are homeless locally and beyond.  Encourage everybody to do their part in ways that fit with their gifting and skill sets and you will make greater inroads into motivating them to get involved.  — Engage people with the homeless.

Note the process:
       Educate, expose in less threatening ways, and then engage.

Those who lost their jobs, can’t afford health insurance, and the like need help finding employment and paying medical and other bills – a sense of security.

Those in family crisis (death, divorce, estrangement) need counsel, comfort, and practical assistance – a sense of perspective.

Those with substance abuse problems need help overcoming their addictions – a sense of victory.

Those released from prison need help getting back into society, gaining employment, etc. – a sense of forgiveness.

Those from a foster care background need to know they matter to someone, have someone they can trust, and find help in establishing roots – a sense of belonging.

Those who are victims of natural disaster need help rebuilding their lives, maybe their homes — a sense of hope.

Of anybody, shouldn’t we as Christians be able to provide people with that sense of security, perspective, victory, forgiveness, belonging, and hope?  Meeting those needs goes beyond the physical realm.

So I ask: 

How much do you understand about mental illness? 

How much is physiological? (i.e., chemical imbalance)

How much is psychological?   (i.e., faulty belief system)

How much is emotional?  (i.e., reaction to trauma, loss, abuse, etc.)

How much is sociological?  (i.e., conditioning, environmental)

How much is spiritual?  (i.e., result of a hardened heart, sin, or spiritual warfare)

I’m not sure that we can always know the answers to those questions which supports the need to minister to the whole person.  God made us with a body, mind, will, emotions, and a spirit and He made us a relational being.  All these areas weave together and can affect each other.

If you don’t fully understand mental health issues and don’t know how to come along side of people with mental illness, just treat them as whole people:

Physiological:  Encourage them to get regular physical check-ups, to eat well, exercise, and get enough sleep.

Psychological:  Help them work through faulty beliefs.

Emotional:  Comfort, support, and encourage.

Sociological:  Point the person to the power of God to break cycles.

Spiritual:  Pray for them.  Engage in a discipleship process.  Share God’s Word with them.

Just as you might not fully understand a person’s physical health issues, so you might not  be able to get a good grip on mental health issues.  That doesn’t mean you avoid them.  You still love them, accept them, and come along side as you are able.  You treat them as whole people made in the image of God and loved by Him.   You view them with value as you would any other human being.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

They made outlines of themselves on a long roll of butcher paper cut to their size.  Then they drew hair, facial features, clothes, etc. to make it look like themselves.  They used these outlines in a variety of ways to drive home the truth and ultimately got to hang them on the wall as a reminder.  They only scratched the surface, however, of the truth of Psalm 139:14.

Here is a video excerpt of a message by Louie Giglio for us adults to get a little deeper into just how wonderfully we are made.  Be sure to watch, and not just listen, to the end.  If you, as a follower of Jesus Christ, can watch this video and not go away praising the Lord, I’m not sure what will convince you of how wonderfully and fearfully you are made.

What a wonderful illustration of how we are wonderfully made that also demonstrates spiritual realities of how God is able to hold us together even in the darkest of circumstances!  What does it stir up within you? … comfort?  hope? encouragement? … don’t forget praise!