Not Ashamed of the Gospel
Month 10: Telling the Good News · Heart Matters
Today's Scripture
Read together: Romans 1:16–17
16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek. 17 For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Memory Verse
“that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”— Romans 10:9 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Proverbs 8–10
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Wisdom calls out in the streets for anyone to listen — unashamed, just like the gospel.)The Heart of It
Paul wrote, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes." Stop and feel how bold that is. Paul was writing to Rome. It was the most powerful, proud, important city on earth. It was full of people who thought a crucified Jewish teacher was foolish. And Paul says, in effect, "I'm not embarrassed about this one bit." Why not? Because he knew what the gospel actually is. It's not a weak little message. It's "the power of God," the strongest force in the universe, and it can rescue anyone who believes.
Being ashamed usually starts in the heart, with a fear. What will they think of me? Will they laugh? Will I lose friends? Those feelings are real, and even brave people feel them. But Paul fixes his eyes somewhere else. He doesn't look at what people think of him. He looks at what the gospel can do for them. When you remember that the good news can save the very person you're nervous to talk to, embarrassment starts to melt. You wouldn't be ashamed to hand a thirsty friend a glass of water. The gospel is living water. Being "not ashamed" doesn't mean being loud or pushy. It means refusing to hide the best thing you know just because you're worried about your image.
Around the Table
Paul said, "I'm not embarrassed about Jesus!" The good news is so good and so strong that we never have to hide it.
Let's do it: Stand up tall, put your hands on your hips like a hero, and say, "I'm not ashamed of Jesus!"
Sometimes we feel shy or scared that people will laugh at us for loving Jesus. What helped Paul not feel ashamed?
Let's talk: When is it hardest for you to talk about Jesus — and why?
Shame grows when we care more about others' approval than about their rescue. Paul turns it around. The gospel is "the power of God to salvation." It's far too important to hide just to protect our image.
Let's go deeper: How does focusing on what the gospel can do for someone else shrink your own fear of embarrassment?
💬 Conversation Starter
What's something you love so much you don't care if it's "cool" or not? Could Jesus be on that list?
🛡️ Defending the Faith
Some treat faith as something private you should keep to yourself. But if the gospel really is "the power of God to salvation" (), then hiding it isn't humble. It's unkind, like keeping the cure for a sickness secret. Sharing isn't pushy when it's the best news there is.
For Dad · Go Deeper
Children absorb their courage, and their cowardice, partly from watching us. Maybe they only ever see you mention Jesus inside church walls, but you go quiet at work, with neighbors, or among skeptical relatives. Then they'll learn that faith is a private hobby to be managed, not a treasure to be shared. Paul's antidote to shame is not bravado. It's conviction about the gospel's power. The more deeply you believe the message can actually rescue people, the less their opinions of you will sting. This week, examine your own heart honestly. Where do you soften, hide, or change the subject because of what someone might think? Lead your family by taking one small, gentle, visible step of unashamed witness. And let them see you do it.
Draws on: Tony Evans, Kingdom Man.
Let's Pray Together
"Father, You gave us the best news in the world. Take away our fear of what people think. Fill us with love for the people who need to hear it. Help our family never be ashamed of Jesus. In Jesus' name, amen."
The gospel is too good and too powerful to hide. I won't be ashamed of Jesus.