Why Tracts Matter

Striving to Honor the Savior and Serve the Church

Good News Tracts, a ministry of Crossway, publishes gospel-centered short-form content to encourage Christians and share the hope of God’s plan of salvation with unbelievers. We strive to create resources that will bless our customers in their ministry efforts, impacting the lives of unbelievers and believers alike.

Much like this blog, tracts are meant to be informal or conversational—easily comprehended and relational in style. They are intentionally brief, often less than 800 words. Though they are typically informal in tone, our tracts convey serious matters about the truths of the Bible, the way to eternal salvation in Jesus Christ, and helpful topics to be used in discipleship and evangelism. This is accomplished by creating material that is gospel-centered and Bible-centered in a way that honors our Savior and serves his church.

Why Tracts?

Why does this matter to you? It's easy to think that a full-length book would serve a greater purpose in ministry. Books provide depth to a topic that tracts, in their brevity, cannot. Tracts are not intended as a replacement for books, especially when it comes to God’s Word.

However, short-form content can provide an ideal starting point for gospel-centered conversations with others. Perhaps you are beginning a new ministry at your church or maybe you are a new believer eager to share the good news with your friends and family. Tracts offer a helpful introduction to foundational truths, leading to deeper conversation enriched by books and the reading of God’s Word.

Using tracts for sharing the gospel can seem like a daunting task. We often let insecurity, fear, or embarrassment stand in the way of fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission. Yet, we need to remember that we have the best news anyone could ever hear! Tracts can equip you with confidence, boldness, and a new approach for sharing God’s Word. At their best, they serve as tools to start life-altering conversations with unbelievers, all for the glory of God.

Tips for Using Tracts

Here are a few helpful tips related to using tracts effectively:

Share a tract with your small group or with someone you’re discipling at church. Maybe you've been in the group or have discipled this person for a while, but conversations are not going as smoothly as you had hoped. Tracts are highly versatile, offering a helpful outline for a small group discussion or one-on-one conversation with a new believer. By using a tract as an outline for a small group discussion, you can stay focused on a few important points lending to deeper and clearer dialogue.
Encourage your church to include tracts in weekly bulletins. You never know who may be sitting in your church service! Through God’s grace, they may be receptive to the hope a tract message can offer.
Keep tracts in your wallet, purse, or glove compartment to ensure you’re always prepared to share the good news.
Always ensure that you aren't damaging property or the environment when distributing tracts.
When leaving a tract with a tip, be sure that the tip is generous, as a reflection of God's generous gift of salvation to us!

As Christians seek to fulfill the Great Commission together, tracts serve as a valuable resource for proclaiming the gospel of Christ, and its implications for all of life, to a world in great need.