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"Stand still? NEVER! Not while the promises of revival are still unknown for this generation. Not while Christ is still a stranger to countless lost and dying souls around the world. Not while there is still one blind and stubborn heart that refuses to give praise and honor to our King Jesus!" |
If lost people matter to you the way they matter to God, what would your life look like? |
How do we get people to talk about spiritual things? How do we start soul-winning conversations?
"We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard"(Acts 4:20 -- Peter and John to the Sanhedrin)
What do you fear the most about inviting those in your lifespace to "come and see Jesus" at your church fellowship?
Half of the unchurched Americans surveyed by Gallup pollsters said they intend to return to active church participation some day. Of that group, one in 5 said they would start back to church if someone would just talk to them about spiritual matters.
So, how do you start that conversation which may lead people into a relationship with God and the assurance of salvation?
Look through this list to find questions which would be appropriate with:
- Someone you just met
- A long-time acquaintance
- A good friend
- A family member or a "best" friend
Some of the questions will initiate conversations that could be labeled pre-evangelism.
This list is not designed to be pulled out of your pocket or purse as you start talking to someone. These are given to demonstrate the variety of ways that a conversation can be steered to a deeper level.People sharing faith: Spiritual conversation openers
General issues
- What gives most meaning to your life?
- What, or who, are your sources of strength in your day-to-day living?
- When you have problems or crises, how do you manage to get through them?
- Is religion or God important to you?
- In what ways?
- If not, is there any particular reason why not?
- Wouldn't you like to have faith in something? [ follow-up material ]
Relationship questions
- Does God (or a Higher Power) seem personal to you?
- Do you feel close to God?
- What is your picture of God?
- What has God done for you?
- How is God working in your life right now?
- Are you comfortable with God's guidelines and laws for living?
- Do you feel there are any barriers between you and God?
- Have you ever felt anything against God?
- Have you ever done anything for which you feel God could not forgive you?
- Do you understand the way to forgiveness and what it means?
- Do you feel God has a plan for your life?
- Do you feel you are living up to what you feel God expects of you?
Devotional life and practice
- What kinds of devotional readings do you like?
- What are your favorite authors, writings?
- Do you like religious music? Kinds? Favorites?
- Do you read the Bible?
- Do you understand what you read?
- Does Bible reading help in living? How?
- Is prayer a meaningful part of your devotional life?
- Do you feel you are growing spiritually?
The Church
- Are you involved in a church?
Is your church helpful to you?
- Do you attend the worship services of your church?
- What do you like most about its teachings?
- Are you personally acquainted with the pastor?
- Are you a member of an accountability or nurturing group in your church?
Religion and illness, dying and death
- Has being ill made any difference in your thinking or feeling about God or your religious faith?
- Has it affected your devotional life?
- When you are ill, do you have feelings that God is punishing you or that it is His will for you to be sick?
- How do you feel about suffering?
- Do you trust God with your future?
For additional information on ministry to the terminally ill, see "6 don'ts for ministry to the dying."
The above questions are based on a list compiled by Harvey Elder for counselors to use in personal history taking.
"Without God" graphic from a Church Ad Project poster: www.churchad.com
Additional witnessing / soul-winning resources
- Lyle Pointer's "spiritual conversation starters"
- Writing your testimony [ see worksheet ]
- Walking away - a personal evangelism, soul-winning case study
- Witnessing scenarios
- How to witness: a PowerPoint presentation on relational evangelism [ view presentation ] [ open as PowerPoint ]
 | What are the changes which occur in people as they come to faith in Christ? Should attempts at sharing our faith with other people take into account the journey they are on? [ read more ] |
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Howard Culbertson, Southern Nazarene University, 6729 NW 39th, Bethany, OK 73008 | Phone: 405-491-6693 - Fax: 405-491-6658
Copyright © 2000, 2001 - Last Updated: October 31, 2006 | URL: http://home.snu.edu/~hculbert/assess.htm