“The FOUR" is a simple, relevant, repeatable way to clearly communicate the Gospel using visual icons to engage coaches and athletes in today’s society. It's simplicity also makes it highly effective to equip and empower others to share their faith!
"I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes."
Romans 1:16
GOD MADE YOU AND LOVES YOU. You are created by Him, for Him, and in His image.
Genesis 1:27 - "God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."
GOD SENT HIS SON TO DIE FOR YOU. He loves you that much.
John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
Why did he need to die?
YOUR SIN SEPARATES YOU FROM GOD. You can't experience God's love if you don't believe in Him, ignore Him, or walk away from Him. The Bible calls these things sin. All have sinned.
Romans 3:23 - "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
THE PENALTY FOR SIN IS DEATH. Sin damages our relationship with God and our relationship with others. It keeps us from experiencing the abundant life God intends for us. The result of our sin is eternal punishment.
Matthew 7:13-14 - "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."
Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
JESUS DIED FOR YOUR SINS. Even while you were still a sinner, God never stopped loving you. He became a human being in Jesus Christ and gave his life for you. At the cross, Jesus took your place and paid the penalty of death that you deserve for your sins.
Romans 5:8 - "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD. Jesus doesn't only offer you forgiveness of sins. He offers you abundance of life now and for all eternity. Through faith in Jesus, you can have a personal relationship with God, experiencing God's love daily, have purpose and meaning for your life, and live in heaven with God forever.
YOU MUST PLACE YOUR FAITH IN JESUS TO BE SAVED. You must make a decision to believe in and follow Jesus. To not make a decision is to make a decision. Every person has an answer to this question and will have to give an account for their decision once they die. The only way to forgiveness, freedom, and heaven is through faith in Jesus.
Romans 10:9 - "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Will you believe?
YOU CAN EXPRESS YOUR BELIEF IN JESUS THROUGH PRAYER. There is no specific prayer that saves you, but as you sincerely believe in and seek to follow Jesus, you are saved, and you can express that through prayer. Here is a suggested prayer:
Dear God, thank you for loving me and wanting the best for my life. I have lived my life my way and not your way, and for that I am truly sorry. Jesus, I believe that you are God and have forgiven all my sins by dying and coming back to life for me. I trust you and ask you to be Lord of my life. I surrender my life to you. You are my God, my Savior, and my Lord. Amen.