In recent years, the business world has coined the phrase “elevator speech.” Sellers are encouraged to be able to explain their product offering to someone in the elevator in the 20 seconds or so it takes to get to their floor.
Most people who have been in the church for a while have been taught that the word gospel literally means good news. The question is, if someone asks you to explain the gospel, do you have a good explanation? Do you have an “elevator speech” prepared to explain the good news of Jesus Christ?
One of the best concise presentations of the Gospel can be found in 1 Corinthians 15:3–8:
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. (ESV)
This certainly does not explain everything, but it is a good starting point and I am committed to memorizing these verses to be ready to give an answer when required.