Guest blogger, Claire Lemp shares excellent strategies for question 7 of the How to Start a Wilderness Ministry: Top 20 Questions: How do I effectively share the Gospel using the outdoors?
There’s no more natural place to talk about Jesus than the outdoors. Outdoor leaders have the ideal setup for facilitating gospel conversations. The wilderness is a cornucopia of wonders, each of which points to the glory of the Creator. Do you want to learn how to leverage the outdoors to tell the gospel story? This is the post for you!
YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND: LET NATURE LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR YOU
If you want to tell the good news of Jesus in the context of the outdoors, the first thing you should focus on is the way nature already tells the story of Jesus. Scripture is clear about the way creation reveals the glory of God:
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” – Psalm 19:1
Before you bring Jesus up specifically with unbelievers on your wilderness trip, consider laying the groundwork for a gospel conversation by asking some intentional questions about the way nature points to something “greater.” Here are some examples:
- “These mountains are incredible! How do you think they got here? Sometimes when I see a view like this, I can’t help but think about an Intelligent Designer. Do you ever wonder about that?”
- “This is a crazy storm! It’s uncomfortable feeling so helpless. Do you feel like people have someone/something we can turn to for help when things get crazy or are we pretty much on our own?” *consider bringing up Job 37:15-16
CONNECT QUALITIES OF NATURE TO THE CHARACTER OF GOD
After you ask some questions to open up the spiritual conversation, you can start talking more specifically about God. One good way to do this is by connecting the scenery/experiences of your wilderness trip to the character of God.
- A bright sunrise points to the God who dwells in unapproachable light. (1 Tim 6:16)
- Springs of water point to the God who refreshes our souls. (Is 43:20)
- Delicate wildflowers point to the God who cares tenderly for those he loves. (Matt 6:28-30)
- An afternoon rainstorm points to the God who waters the earth. (Hosea 6:3)
PICK A TIME AND PLACE TO TELL THE WHOLE GOSPEL STORY
When you’ve let nature lay some groundwork and you’ve pointed out some connections between nature and the character of God, it’s time to tell the whole story.
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Pick your timing/setting carefully. You want everyone to be prepared and receptive. Timing your message so your friends have already had the chance to think about spiritual things will help the good news of Jesus land like rain on the tilled soil of their hearts. If you’re on a backpacking trip, a mid-week campfire the night before your peak climb is an excellent setting.
You don’t need to get fancy when you share the gospel. Just keep in mind the 4 main points:
- Creation: God created everything and called it good. Before sin, everything existed in perfect relationship with God. (Rev 4:11)
- Fall: People sinned against God at the beginning, and have kept sinning since then. Sin separates them from God. (Rom 3:23)
- Redemption: Because God loves his people, he sent Jesus to pay for our sins. Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave so we could have a relationship with God again. (John 3:16)
- Restoration: On earth, we still experience the brokenness caused by sin. But one day, God will make everything new. Sin will be defeated once and for all. (Rev 21:4)
NO EXCUSE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SEEN AND HEARD
Before you go home, loop in the truth of Romans 1:20 so your fellow adventurers can feel the weight of the message you shared:
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” – Romans 1:20
If God’s invisible qualities are clearly seen in creation, no one can claim ignorance about him. This matters.
By joining you on a wilderness trip and experiencing the truth about God through your voice and the voice of nature, each of the people on your trip is responsible to take action. They can pursue the truth or run away from it. Your job is to prayerfully leave them with the tools they need to make their personal choice.
Entrust the salvation of the people on your wilderness trip to God— he’s the one who saves souls!
PUT THIS INTO ACTION
- In an outdoor journal, list some connections between nature and the character of God.
- Consider any issues or circumstances in the lives of young people you know, and consider ways that nature could speak into those things. Write them down.
- Pray by name for young people that you want to take on a wilderness trip. Be obedient to the answer.
