The FARM Conversation is a great way to engage people in spiritual conversation. It's personable, effective, and fun. It works with everyone, everywhere. It works up and down the generational ladder and across cultures. It reveals people's openness to conversation, their interest in hearing a Bible story, and ultimately their desire to share the stories with others. The FARM conversation has four parts.
F = Family.
This step involves asking questions having to do with a living situation—for example, “Do you have a family?” or “Are you from this area?”
A = Academics.
This step involves asking students questions about their schooling—for example, "What are you studying? or "What vocation do you want to pursue?"
For non students the A becomes O (which stands for occupation) and it becomes the FORM conversation, which includes questions such as, "What do you do for a living?"
R = Recreation
This step involves asking questions having to do with special interests—for example, “What do you like to do for fun?” or “Do you have any hobbies?”
This step involves asking questions having to do with a living situation—for example, “Do you have a family?” or “Are you from this area?”
A = Academics.
This step involves asking students questions about their schooling—for example, "What are you studying? or "What vocation do you want to pursue?"
For non students the A becomes O (which stands for occupation) and it becomes the FORM conversation, which includes questions such as, "What do you do for a living?"
R = Recreation
This step involves asking questions having to do with special interests—for example, “What do you like to do for fun?” or “Do you have any hobbies?”
M = Message
This is where the topic becomes spiritual. If the conversation has been enjoyable, people are receptive to this transition. By far the best questions are the ones the Holy Spirit brings to mind. Practice Colossians 4:6. Be salty; bring Jesus into the conversation and see what happens. Remember, you're not responsible for creating spiritual interest, just discovering it. As Rick Warren states, "If the fruit is ripe, you don't have to pull hard."
One transition question that works well is: "What is your spiritual background?" You might say, "It's been fun to get to know your personal background, I'm curious, what is your spiritual background?" Most people have an answer to this question.
This might be the time to ask if you can pray for them. You might say, "I pray for people. May I pray for you?" If they say yes, ask, "If you could ask God to perform a miracle in your life, what would it be?" Then pray for it.
At this point you may want to consult the remaining steps in Start Up
This is where the topic becomes spiritual. If the conversation has been enjoyable, people are receptive to this transition. By far the best questions are the ones the Holy Spirit brings to mind. Practice Colossians 4:6. Be salty; bring Jesus into the conversation and see what happens. Remember, you're not responsible for creating spiritual interest, just discovering it. As Rick Warren states, "If the fruit is ripe, you don't have to pull hard."
One transition question that works well is: "What is your spiritual background?" You might say, "It's been fun to get to know your personal background, I'm curious, what is your spiritual background?" Most people have an answer to this question.
This might be the time to ask if you can pray for them. You might say, "I pray for people. May I pray for you?" If they say yes, ask, "If you could ask God to perform a miracle in your life, what would it be?" Then pray for it.
At this point you may want to consult the remaining steps in Start Up