Questions you can ask to get an in person gospel convo rolling.
A lot of times we know Scripture, have some verses memorized but just dont know how to start convos. There's various ways to start gospel convos. Sometimes you relate it to something that is in the chit chat, other times you bring up about the news or something and swing it to the Gospel. Other times it is like cold calls and you decide which question to lead with but the focus should be the purpose of the gospel, not intellectual endless debates or questions.
If someone talks about religious or moral stuff you can "ask are you a Christian? If they say yes, I say "So have you been born again?"
If they say no ask "what do you think makes someone a Christian?" And tuck away what they said, and move on to "Jesus said be must be born again or we won't enter Heaven."
If they say yes, probe and see their testimony, as many claim to be Christian but are not, many claim it cuz they went to church as a kid, or lean towards some Christian beliefs, others will be gay and still claim to be Christian, others are in unbiblical "churches" and dont even know the gospel, but the one who was saved will be able to tell you what their life was like before, share the Gospel (Law, sin, Christ), and tell you how their life has radically changed since salvation. You could make it easy for them by asking "Tell me your testimony, what was your life like before you got saved" and "and what did you understand about the Gospel that brought you to salvation" and "and how has your life been radically changed since you got saved?"
If they don't present their testimony well, probe more. Say "If I have 3 minutes to live and am incredibly scared I would go to Hell when I die, share the Gospel with me so I can get saved. What do I have to do to get saved." If they do it well then you have a good chance theyre saved. You can ask how often they read their Bible (daily?) And what Church they go to (will give you idea their beliefs), and if they are a active weekly member serving God and others there.
More ideas:
To initiate a conversation you could say:
Do you have a religious background?
And go from there into the Gospel.
If you ask someone if theyre Christian, you will find theyre in cults and false groups like catholics, charismatics, Mormons, JWs, Prosperity and Word Faith cults, and a slew of false churches. So it is easier to ask their religious belief and what "church" they go to, so you know how to guide the convo.
Other ideas:
"So can I ask, What place, if any, does Religion have in your life?" This is a great way to ask someone what they believe & opens the door for discussion. If they say 'I'm a Christian, ask them to define what that means to them. (Mormons and other cult groups consider themselves Christian).
If you are talking about the sky, the scenery, some news piece...
Try to get a religious convo started:
"Imagine that a meteor hit this place in 5 seconds and everyone died. Would you go to heaven or hell?" Or " theyre always talking about a meteor hitting earth on the news, if a huge one was headed here and we were all going to die, do you believe you are right with God?, Would you think you are going to heaven or hell?" And then take them thru the good test to see if theyre hell bound, and then tell them the good news. Include explaining that it isnt just feeling bad over sins, or universal forgiveness [without a transaction & change happening], but that by Jesus sacrifice and by God's grace and mercy we can be saved. Find out from them when they will die and point to the urgency of today right now bcuz 5 min from now or tonight might be your last day.
Here's 5 questions from "share Jesus without fear"
1. Do you have any spiritual beliefs?
2. Who do you think God is?
3. Who do you think Jesus is?
4. If there was a heaven and a hell, where would you go when you die and why?
And if those aren't pointing to faith in Christ:
5. If you were wrong, would you want to know?
If they say yes, have them read the verses of the Romans Road and ask if they acknowledge their sin and need of a Savior and would repent of their sins, believe in their heart and confess with their mouth Jesus is LORD.
Here are others:
Where do you place your hope?
Whose faith can you count on?
Do you follow Christ?
"Do you believe in God?"
If they say yes, I ask "Who is Jesus to you?"
Then if they say Lord and Savior, it might be because they heard it somewhere. I proceed with "As Savior what did he save you from and to?" Or "Saved from what and from who?"
By then you should have a pretty good idea if they are Christians, just Theist or regurgitating what they've heard.
If they aren't christians then lovingly preach the gospel 🙂
And if all signs point to that they are likely Christian ask them "When was the last time you had a quiet time reading in the Scriptures, for God communicating to you?" Or "What does your spiritual life at hpme look like in the morning and when you get home at night?" And probe about their weekend too. If they are not at church every Sunday or if they allowed worldly activities to take that time away from assembling w the local congregation encourage them, and possibly send them to these church resources.
Church Topics
https://snsanswers.blogspot.com/2022/10/church-matters.html
Self Examination of their Salvation
http://longertweets.blogspot.com/2022/10/self-examination.html
You can email it or text it over. I believe Burner app allows texting but double check. For email, create an evangelism email like 123prayer@aol.com or something so they can reach out to you. If you create a business card like hand out you could include a QR code to this link and it has a bunch of great resources for new and growing believers to help them. It includes the above links.
Related Topics
Sharing Christ in the community
Sharing Christ in daily life
<<<Return to Evangelizing Resources
Notes
From judgment, wrath, Hell, sin, God
To Righteousness, right standing with God, relationship with God
Orig published in 2010
