The Gospel in 3 Circles

OVERVIEW:

Students need a simple way to understand and share the gospel. The 3 Circles gives them that. This lesson helps them see the Bible’s story clearly: God’s design, our brokenness, and the good news of Jesus. The goal is not just that students understand the gospel, but that they can actually explain it in their own words and practice sharing it during small group time.

The Gospel in 3 Circles

The gospel is a simple story we can understand, believe, and share: God’s design, our brokenness, and Jesus’ rescue.

Purpose

Help students learn the 3 Circles gospel framework and begin practicing how to share it clearly.

What To Do

Start by asking:

“If a friend asked you, ‘What is the gospel?’ would you know how to answer?”

Let a few students respond. Then say:

“A lot of Christians know the gospel matters, but freeze when it is time to explain it. Today we’re going to learn a simple way to tell the story of the gospel.”

Draw three circles on the board.

Label them:

God’s Design

Brokenness

Gospel

Then walk through the story:

Circle 1: God’s Design Read Genesis 1:31 NLT. Say: “God made the world good. He made people to know Him, trust Him, and live in His ways.”

Circle 2: Brokenness Read Romans 3:23 NLT and Romans 6:23a NLT. Say: “Sin pulled us away from God’s design. Brokenness shows up everywhere: pain, shame, selfishness, fear, addiction, conflict, and death. We all feel it because we all sin.”

Circle 3: Gospel Read Romans 5:8 NLT and Romans 6:23b NLT. Say: “We could not fix our brokenness on our own, so Jesus stepped in. He died for our sin and rose again to give us new life.”

Then add the response: Read Mark 1:15 NLT and 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT. Say: “The response is to repent and believe. When we trust Jesus, He gives us a new life and starts changing us.”

Simple leader line: “The gospel is not ‘try harder.’ It is ‘Jesus rescues sinners and gives them new life.’”

Transition to table time: “At your tables, you’re not just going to talk about the 3 Circles. You’re going to practice saying it, so it becomes something you can actually use.”