1. Creation and Science: Discussions about creation lead to references to the Creator. The origins of the universe, life, and humanity can lead to conversations about Creation and the role of God as the Creator. Topics such as the Big Bang theory, evolution, and intelligent design often touch on themes related to Creation and God’s involvement in the world. 
  2. Personal Struggles and Brokenness: Sharing personal experiences of pain, suffering, and brokenness can prompt discussions about the human condition and the universal longing for hope and restoration. Topics such as addiction, grief, and existential crises may lead to conversations about the need for a Savior and the promise of healing and redemption in Christ. 
  3. Morality and Ethics: Conversations about moral dilemmas, ethical principles, and human nature may raise questions about the concept of sin, the Fall of Man, and the need for Savior. Exploring issues such as justice, forgiveness, and the human capacity for good and evil can lead to discussions about humanity’s need for redemption and reconciliation with God. 
  4. The News and History: Exploring historical events often reveals themes of human longing, redemption, and the search for meaning. Discussions about ancient civilizations, culture, and classic literature may naturally segue into conversations about God’s promises throughout history and the ultimate fulfillment of those promises in Christ. Jesus is the most significant person in history. 
  5. Future and Existential Questions: Conversations about the future, destiny, and the meaning of life can intersect with discussions about the resurrection to come and the hope of eternal life in Christ. Topics such as death, purpose, and the afterlife prompt reflections on the significance of Jesus’s resurrection and its implications for humanity’s ultimate destiny. 
  6. The Church as Christ’s Body: The church was bought with the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28). Christ will deliver up His kingdom to God at the resurrection (1 Cor 15:20–24). The church is united in the newness of life through the resurrection of Christ (Rom 6:4–5). 
  7. Denominationalism and Unity: Discussions about denominationalism and the call for unity among believers directly relate to the gospel message of reconciliation. Jesus’s death on the cross reconciles humanity to God and tears down the walls of division between people, including those of nationality, ethnicity, and denomination (Eph 2:14–16). The gospel calls believers to pursue unity, reflecting the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and bearing witness to the reconciling power of Christ’s death and resurrection (John 17:20–23). This unity finds its ultimate expression in Jesus’s death and resurrection, which reconcile believers to God and to one another, forming them into a unified body under Christ’s headship (Eph 1:22–23; Col 1:18).
  8. Authority and Sufficiency of Scripture: The authority and sufficiency of Scripture underscore the centrality of the gospel message in the life of the church and individual believers. The Bible serves as the authoritative revelation of God’s redemptive plan, culminating in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 15:3–4). Through the Scriptures, believers encounter the saving message of the gospel, are convicted of sin, and come to faith in Christ (Rom 10:17). Furthermore, the sufficiency of Scripture means that the gospel message contained therein is complete and comprehensive, providing everything necessary for salvation and the Christian life (2 Pet 1:3).
Photo by Anastasiya Gepp on Pexels.com