Review Of Gospel Fluency
Stephen Heleman
DSMN520 Spiritual Formation
March 5, 2023
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Contents
Summary ……………………….…………...………………………………..………….………. 1
Applied Review…………………...…..…………………………………………….…………….
2
Speaking the Gospel to Myself …………………………………………………………...
2
Speaking the Gospel to My Family ……………………………………………………....
2
Speaking the Gospel to My Church ……………………………………………………....
3
Speaking the Gospel to the World …………………………………………………….…. 3
Fluency as Discipline ……………………………………………………………………………..
4
Bibliography ………………………..……………………………………..………….….…….…
6
1
Summary
Gospel Fluency by Jeff Vanderstelt is a valuable resource for Christians who seek to
communicate the Gospel more effectively in their daily lives. Vanderstelt's central thesis is that
Christians must become "fluent" in the Gospel so that it becomes the foundation of all their
interactions and relationships.
Vanderstelt begins by describing the current state of the Church and its inability to
communicate the Gospel effectively. He argues that many Christians have lost sight of the
Gospel's centrality and instead rely on various methods and techniques to reach others. He
writes, "When the gospel is not central in our communication and relationships, our methods
become more important than the message." 1
To become fluent in the Gospel, Vanderstelt suggests that Christians must first understand
the Gospel's essential message. He writes, "The gospel is the good news that through Jesus, the
Messiah, the power of God's kingdom has entered history to renew the whole world." 2 He then
offers practical advice on how to incorporate the Gospel into everyday conversations,
emphasizing the importance of listening and asking questions.
Vanderstelt also addresses the role of the Church in helping Christians become fluent in
the Gospel. He argues that the Church must be more than a gathering of believers; it must be a
community of people who live out the Gospel in their daily lives. He writes, "The church is not a
building, a service, or a program. It is a people, a family, a community of believers in Jesus
Christ." 3
Applied Review
1 Jeff Vanderstelt, Gospel Fluency: Speaking the Truths of Jesus into the Everyday Stuff of Life (Wheaton,
IL: Crossway, 2017), 19–20.
2 Ibid., 29.
3 Ibid., 135.
2
The central thesis of the book is that Christians must become "fluent" in the Gospel so
that it becomes the foundation of all their interactions and relationships. Becoming fluent in the
Gospel is essential for who seek to follow Jesus. The Gospel is not just a message for non-
Christians, but it is also a message for Christians to remind them of their identity and purpose in
Christ. I will remind myself daily of my identity in Christ and seek to share the Gospel with
others at every opportunity. By becoming fluent in the Gospel, I believe that I can become a
more effective witness for Christ and bring others to faith in Him.
Speaking the Gospel to Myself
The first point that Vanderstelt makes is that Christians must understand the Gospel's
essential message. "Preaching the gospel to ourselves involves rehearsing the gospel story,
reminding ourselves of God's character and promises, and applying the gospel to the specific
challenges and struggles we face in our daily lives." 4 I will apply this by daily reminding myself
that I am a sinner saved by grace, and my identity is in Christ. Even when I feel like I do not
measure up I will remind myself that Jesus paid the price for my life. This is a message that I
need to hear daily.
Speaking the Gospel to My Family
Vanderstelt also challenges the reader to speak the Gospel to their family. "Sharing the
gospel with our families means pointing them to Jesus as the source of our hope, identity, and
purpose. It means creating a culture of grace and truth in our homes, where we love one another
deeply and extend forgiveness freely." 5 I will look for ways to regularly remind my family that
we are all sinners saved by grace, and our identity is in Christ. I will forgive them and offer them
grace as Jesus does for me. I will demonstrate that I love them regardless of their actions. I will
4 Vanderstelt, Gospel Fluency, 43.
5 Ibid., 126.
3
also encourage my family to become fluent in the Gospel, so that they can communicate it
effectively to others. My children are 21, 17, and 15. In a few years from all my children be on
their own. I will use the time I have to not just speak but demonstrate the gospel to them.
Speaking the Gospel to My Church
Speaking the gospel to my church is the most natural to me. I am the Lead Pastor and
speak 45 times a year on Sunday morning. Like Vanderstelt I want the church to be more than a
gathering of believers. I want the church to be a community of people who live out the Gospel in
their daily lives. "Speaking the gospel to our churches means reminding one another of the good
news of Jesus, confessing our sins to one another, and encouraging one another to grow in
Christlikeness. It means serving one another sacrificially and bearing one another's burdens." 6 In
addition to what I teach I will serve others and look for opportunities to share the Gospel with
them. I will help my church to become fluent in the Gospel, so that together we can
communicate it effectively to others.
Speaking the Gospel to the World
Finally, I will be deliberate about speaking the Gospel to my world as I meet my
neighbors along the way. “Speaking the gospel to the world means engaging with people where
they are, building relationships with them, and listening to their stories. It means demonstrating
the love of Christ through acts of kindness and service and sharing the hope we have in Jesus in
winsome and culturally relevant ways" 7 I will look for opportunities to share the Gospel with my
neighbors and the people I interact with. I will seek to build relationships with them and look for
ways to show them the love of Christ. I will pray that God uses me to bring others to faith in
Christ. This is the most challenging part of gospel fluency for me. Much of my time is spent with
6 Vanderstelt, Gospel Fluency, 169.
7 Vanderstelt, Gospel Fluency, 204
4
people in the church. I will be deliberate about building relationships with those who do not
know Jesus so I can share the gospel with them.
Fluency as Discipline
As I reflect on the content of Gospel Fluency, I realize that becoming fluent in the Gospel
is not a one-time decision or event, but a discipline that requires constant practice and
intentionality. To cultivate this discipline in my spiritual life, I plan to engage in regular reading
and study of the Bible to deepen my understanding of the Gospel and its implications for my life.
I will also seek out opportunities to participate in community with other believers, where we can
encourage and challenge each other to live out the Gospel in our daily lives.
Moreover, I believe that becoming fluent in the Gospel is not just about evangelism but
also about discipline. As I cultivate this discipline in my spiritual life, I hope to become more
attuned to the Holy Spirit's leading and be more sensitive to the needs of those around me. I want
to be able to speak the Gospel effectively not just to those who have never heard it before but
also to those who may have grown complacent or forgotten its power.
Finally, there are specific people in my life who would benefit from hearing the good
news spoken to them. These may include friends or family members who have grown distant
from God as well as even strangers I meet in everyday life. I plan to seek out opportunities to
share the Gospel with them in a way that is respectful, compassionate, and effective.
Becoming fluent in the Gospel is a lifelong journey that requires intentional effort and
discipline. As I seek to cultivate this discipline in my spiritual life, I hope to become more
attuned to the Holy Spirit's leading, be more effective in sharing the Gospel with others, and
ultimately bring glory to God through my life and witness.
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