The FARM conversation approach involves engaging individuals in everyday situations, such as during casual encounters or while going about daily activities. FARM stands for Family, Academics, Recreation, and Message. By initiating conversations centered around these topics, you can naturally assess whether the person you're engaging with is open to conversation, interested in spiritual matters and eager to learn more.
Family (F):
Ask about their family or origins, like "Can you tell me about your family?" or "Are you from around here?"
Academics (A):
If they are a student, inquire about their studies or major. Ask, "What are you studying?" For non-students, the A becomes an O. Ask about their occupation; "What do you do for a living?"
Recreation (R):
Discuss spare time activities with questions such as "Do you have any hobbies?" or "What do you like to do in your free time?"
Family (F):
Ask about their family or origins, like "Can you tell me about your family?" or "Are you from around here?"
Academics (A):
If they are a student, inquire about their studies or major. Ask, "What are you studying?" For non-students, the A becomes an O. Ask about their occupation; "What do you do for a living?"
Recreation (R):
Discuss spare time activities with questions such as "Do you have any hobbies?" or "What do you like to do in your free time?"
Message (M):
Shifting the conversation towards spiritual matters is a natural progression in the FARM conversation, especially if the interaction has been enjoyable. Transitioning from personal to spiritual topics can be initiated with a statement such as, "It's been great getting to know you on a personal level. I'm interested in learning more about your spiritual journey... [ask one of the options below]. Note; the following questions are not sequential.
Engage them in conversation about their spiritual background with a question like, "Could you tell me about your spiritual background?" or "What is your faith story?"
Inquire about their experience with Jesus with a question like, "Does Jesus play a role in your spiritual journey, and if so, how?" or "Is Jesus part of your faith story, and if yes, how does He influence it?"
Assess their spiritual receptiveness by gently exploring the life they were created for. You can connect this to something they have already mentioned or emphasize it directly. Take your time to allow them to process the question. For instance, you might express, "I often ponder about the life we were created for—a life filled with love, joy, hope, peace, power, and purpose.* Would you be open to discovering how you can experience these aspects more deeply?" If they are ready, simply posing this question can lead to meaningful exploration.
Engaging in conversation with genuine curiosity about the other person often leads them to inquire about your own pursuits. When asked about your occupation, seize the opportunity to share your spiritual identity. For instance, you might respond, "I help people discover the joy and hope of a relationship with Jesus Christ." This opens avenues for follow up questions like the ones below:
"Do you know the joy and hope that comes from following Jesus?"
- If yes, proceed to the next inquiry.
- If no, invite them to Discovery Bible Study (DBS): "It starts by exploring God's Word using a simple study method. Would you like to learn more?"
"Do you know how to make disciples who make disciples?"
- If yes, inquire about their approach.
- If no, ask, "Would you be interested in learning how?"
Remember, the goal is to identify those whom God has prepared for your conversation. If they are ready, simply asking a version of the question, "Would you like to know more?" is all it takes. As Rick Warren noted, "If the fruit is ripe, you don't have to pull hard." From there, the journey of multiplication unfolds: ideally they become storytellers from the DBS Story Sets, learn about Discovery Bible Study (DBS), then they facilitate a Discovery Group, and eventually lead a Disciple Making Community exhibiting Acts 2:42-47, all of which reproduces along the way.
* Psalm 147:3; Romans 4:7; Hebrews 6:19; Philippians 4:7; Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 1:11 (MESSAGE).
Shifting the conversation towards spiritual matters is a natural progression in the FARM conversation, especially if the interaction has been enjoyable. Transitioning from personal to spiritual topics can be initiated with a statement such as, "It's been great getting to know you on a personal level. I'm interested in learning more about your spiritual journey... [ask one of the options below]. Note; the following questions are not sequential.
Engage them in conversation about their spiritual background with a question like, "Could you tell me about your spiritual background?" or "What is your faith story?"
Inquire about their experience with Jesus with a question like, "Does Jesus play a role in your spiritual journey, and if so, how?" or "Is Jesus part of your faith story, and if yes, how does He influence it?"
Assess their spiritual receptiveness by gently exploring the life they were created for. You can connect this to something they have already mentioned or emphasize it directly. Take your time to allow them to process the question. For instance, you might express, "I often ponder about the life we were created for—a life filled with love, joy, hope, peace, power, and purpose.* Would you be open to discovering how you can experience these aspects more deeply?" If they are ready, simply posing this question can lead to meaningful exploration.
Engaging in conversation with genuine curiosity about the other person often leads them to inquire about your own pursuits. When asked about your occupation, seize the opportunity to share your spiritual identity. For instance, you might respond, "I help people discover the joy and hope of a relationship with Jesus Christ." This opens avenues for follow up questions like the ones below:
"Do you know the joy and hope that comes from following Jesus?"
- If yes, proceed to the next inquiry.
- If no, invite them to Discovery Bible Study (DBS): "It starts by exploring God's Word using a simple study method. Would you like to learn more?"
"Do you know how to make disciples who make disciples?"
- If yes, inquire about their approach.
- If no, ask, "Would you be interested in learning how?"
Remember, the goal is to identify those whom God has prepared for your conversation. If they are ready, simply asking a version of the question, "Would you like to know more?" is all it takes. As Rick Warren noted, "If the fruit is ripe, you don't have to pull hard." From there, the journey of multiplication unfolds: ideally they become storytellers from the DBS Story Sets, learn about Discovery Bible Study (DBS), then they facilitate a Discovery Group, and eventually lead a Disciple Making Community exhibiting Acts 2:42-47, all of which reproduces along the way.
* Psalm 147:3; Romans 4:7; Hebrews 6:19; Philippians 4:7; Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 1:11 (MESSAGE).
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Ask them to elaborate on any spiritual comments they shared, saying something like, "You mentioned ______________, can you expand on that?" This is a great way to steer the conversation toward God at any point.
Inquire if they have any spiritual questions with a simple, "Do you have any spiritual questions?" Many people have unanswered questions about God, and as a Christian, you can answer them or explore together using resources like BibleGateway or Got Questions.
Explore their pain points by asking, "If there was one thing you could change about your life, what would it be?" Be sensitive to pain points and difficult circumstances.
Check if they are spiritually hungry by asking, "Which of these are you most interested in experiencing: love, joy, hope, peace, power, or purpose?" Then, let them know these are available through Jesus Christ, citing verses like Psalm 147:3; Romans 4:7; Colossians 1:27; Philippians 4:7, Galatians 5:16, and Ephesians 1:11 (MESSAGE)
Assess their present spiritual interest by asking, "Which word describes you spiritually: Complacent, Curious, Convinced, or Committed?" Be prepared to explain these terms: Complacent, not interested; Curious, wants to know more; Convinced, knows Jesus and wants to grow; Committed, knows Jesus and wants to help others grow.
Offer to pray for them by saying, "I like to pray for people I meet. If God could perform a miracle in your life, what would you ask Him for?" This may lead to an opportunity to share a Bible story.
Ask if they sense God drawing them to Himself, using, "The Bible says God draws people to Himself. Are you interested in discovering more about God?" Refer to John 6:44-45, explaining that this is how God works in everyone He calls.
Inquire if they have any spiritual questions with a simple, "Do you have any spiritual questions?" Many people have unanswered questions about God, and as a Christian, you can answer them or explore together using resources like BibleGateway or Got Questions.
Explore their pain points by asking, "If there was one thing you could change about your life, what would it be?" Be sensitive to pain points and difficult circumstances.
Check if they are spiritually hungry by asking, "Which of these are you most interested in experiencing: love, joy, hope, peace, power, or purpose?" Then, let them know these are available through Jesus Christ, citing verses like Psalm 147:3; Romans 4:7; Colossians 1:27; Philippians 4:7, Galatians 5:16, and Ephesians 1:11 (MESSAGE)
Assess their present spiritual interest by asking, "Which word describes you spiritually: Complacent, Curious, Convinced, or Committed?" Be prepared to explain these terms: Complacent, not interested; Curious, wants to know more; Convinced, knows Jesus and wants to grow; Committed, knows Jesus and wants to help others grow.
Offer to pray for them by saying, "I like to pray for people I meet. If God could perform a miracle in your life, what would you ask Him for?" This may lead to an opportunity to share a Bible story.
Ask if they sense God drawing them to Himself, using, "The Bible says God draws people to Himself. Are you interested in discovering more about God?" Refer to John 6:44-45, explaining that this is how God works in everyone He calls.
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The "B" list
The "B" list
Be prepared with the "John 3:16" response when questioned about your occupation by stating, "Before I share that, may I ask you a question? The Bible verse John 3:16 says, 'For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.' This verse signifies three key aspects: God's love for you, His sacrifice of His Son for you, and His invitation for you to experience a life filled with love, joy, hope, peace, power, and purpose. Would you be interested in learning more?"
Be direct by asking if they want to learn how to make disciples who make disciples, saying, "I'm looking for people who want to learn how to make disciples. Are you that person?"
Be focused on the goal of a FARM conversation: discovering a person of peace ready to be trained in making disciples who make disciples, as stated by Jesus in Mark 1:17.
Be sensitive to pain points and difficult circumstances. Listen for words that naturally lead to spiritual dialogue and eternal conversation, following the guidance of Colossians 4:5-6.
Be story oriented. Center the conversation around stories—their story, your story, and God's story. Listen to people's experiences, share common ground, and highlight how God became the hero of your story, aligning with Psalm 107:1-38.
Be personable by sharing a brief 15-second testimony. Describe a time without Christ and the transformation through forgiveness in Jesus. Invite them to share their story, even if they can't relate fully, using Acts 4:20 as inspiration. For instance, "There was a time in my life when I was feeling alone and aimless. Then I trusted Jesus as Savior and Lord and began to live for him. Now I'm surrounded by loving friends and have a mission in life that nothing comes close to equaling."
Be flexible in tailoring the conversation to the specific situation. While the usual flow is to start with FARM topics in order, sometimes it makes sense to begin with a different topic.
Be persistent in engaging people in spiritual conversations. The more you do, the more effective you become. Use your experience, vocabulary, and temperament to develop a fruitful disciple-making approach.
Be complete by addressing both the positive aspects of belief—love, joy, and hope in Jesus—and the consequences of rejection—wrath, judgment, and hell, following John 3:36.
Be topical by categorizing people as complacent, curious, convinced, or committed. Each category determines the next steps in the conversation.
Be mission-minded, recognizing that the FARM conversation is suited for unknown relationships, reaching out to those encountered daily who may be willing to engage in spiritual dialogue.
Be inquisitive and ask follow-up questions. Enjoy the dialogue, get to know the person, and have fun in the conversation, focusing on a topic most people are comfortable discussing—their own lives.
Be available and offer to answer their spiritual questions if they don't want to answer yours. Point them to Scripture for ultimate answers, recognizing the Holy Spirit as the teacher.
Be a team player and graciously release those who may not want to know more about Jesus, understanding that multiple exposures may be needed before a response.
Be patient and, if there's a chance of encountering them again, continue faithful prayer and acts of love, recognizing that people respond to genuine interest and practical care over time. Some conversations take 6 minutes to complete, some take 6 months.
Be other-centered, emphasizing that the conversation is about them, not you, while still sharing common interests and experiences in a limited fashion.
Be progressive in advancing the conversation over time, understanding that it may take minutes, weeks, or even months depending on the situation.
Be winsome by sharing about the hope, joy, love, peace, power, and purpose that Jesus brings to life. Describe Jesus for who he is and encourage them to start the journey of trusting and serving him through studying Scripture.
Be direct by asking if they want to learn how to make disciples who make disciples, saying, "I'm looking for people who want to learn how to make disciples. Are you that person?"
Be focused on the goal of a FARM conversation: discovering a person of peace ready to be trained in making disciples who make disciples, as stated by Jesus in Mark 1:17.
Be sensitive to pain points and difficult circumstances. Listen for words that naturally lead to spiritual dialogue and eternal conversation, following the guidance of Colossians 4:5-6.
Be story oriented. Center the conversation around stories—their story, your story, and God's story. Listen to people's experiences, share common ground, and highlight how God became the hero of your story, aligning with Psalm 107:1-38.
Be personable by sharing a brief 15-second testimony. Describe a time without Christ and the transformation through forgiveness in Jesus. Invite them to share their story, even if they can't relate fully, using Acts 4:20 as inspiration. For instance, "There was a time in my life when I was feeling alone and aimless. Then I trusted Jesus as Savior and Lord and began to live for him. Now I'm surrounded by loving friends and have a mission in life that nothing comes close to equaling."
Be flexible in tailoring the conversation to the specific situation. While the usual flow is to start with FARM topics in order, sometimes it makes sense to begin with a different topic.
Be persistent in engaging people in spiritual conversations. The more you do, the more effective you become. Use your experience, vocabulary, and temperament to develop a fruitful disciple-making approach.
Be complete by addressing both the positive aspects of belief—love, joy, and hope in Jesus—and the consequences of rejection—wrath, judgment, and hell, following John 3:36.
Be topical by categorizing people as complacent, curious, convinced, or committed. Each category determines the next steps in the conversation.
Be mission-minded, recognizing that the FARM conversation is suited for unknown relationships, reaching out to those encountered daily who may be willing to engage in spiritual dialogue.
Be inquisitive and ask follow-up questions. Enjoy the dialogue, get to know the person, and have fun in the conversation, focusing on a topic most people are comfortable discussing—their own lives.
Be available and offer to answer their spiritual questions if they don't want to answer yours. Point them to Scripture for ultimate answers, recognizing the Holy Spirit as the teacher.
Be a team player and graciously release those who may not want to know more about Jesus, understanding that multiple exposures may be needed before a response.
Be patient and, if there's a chance of encountering them again, continue faithful prayer and acts of love, recognizing that people respond to genuine interest and practical care over time. Some conversations take 6 minutes to complete, some take 6 months.
Be other-centered, emphasizing that the conversation is about them, not you, while still sharing common interests and experiences in a limited fashion.
Be progressive in advancing the conversation over time, understanding that it may take minutes, weeks, or even months depending on the situation.
Be winsome by sharing about the hope, joy, love, peace, power, and purpose that Jesus brings to life. Describe Jesus for who he is and encourage them to start the journey of trusting and serving him through studying Scripture.
Resources
- Read The Heart Reader
- Read The Heart Reader of Franklin High
- View DMM Resources