Week 8: Getting the Conversation Started

Week 8: Getting the Conversation Started

Prayer – Pray regularly for Gospel conversation openings (Col. 4:2). This is a prayer the Lord loves to answer!

The Lord used questions (307 questions recorded in Gospels) 

Discuss the value of questions in evangelistic conversations

Questions – There are some questions that I have found consistently helpful in opening Gospel conversations. (IMP: When you are asking questions, ask with genuine interest and genuine listening.)

Five Questions

Not a script, and not all of them need to be asked; but helpful questions that follow a flow

1. Do you know Jesus?

2. What is your church/religious background?

3. Have you/do you read the Bible?

4. What would you say the main message of Christianity is?

5. Do you know the Gospel? (Did you know Gospel lit. means “Good News”?)

Two Questions

Really one question; but it can be helpful to ask in two parts

1. Why did Jesus die on the cross?

2. Why did Jesus have to die on the cross?

EE Questions

These questions are very helpful & effective in getting to the heart of people & the Gospel, even in friendship conversations.

1. How confident going to heaven (1-10)

2. If died tonight...what would you say?

> Follow-up: why not a 10?

Discuss where these questions can naturally come up in conversations. Give challenge/encouragement to: 1) pray this week for open doors each day, and 2) use one of the questions above.

Prayer – offering to pray for people, and praying with them is a wonderful way to open a Gospel conversation...shows love for people, is disarming, and often opens the door for Gospel conversation. (Share examples)

IMP: Remember that technique and tools must never replace a prayerful dependence on the Holy Spirit in our evangelism and witness.