The FARM conversation is an excellent resource for situational witnessing. It works anywhere, with anyone, at any time. It's effective up and down the generational ladder and across cultures. It reveals a person's openness to a conversation, interest in hearing a Bible story, and desire to share it with others.
The FARM conversation has four parts: Family Academics, Recreation, and Message.
The FARM conversation has four parts: Family Academics, Recreation, and Message.
F = Family
This step involves asking questions about 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 about special interests—for example, "What do you like to do for fun?" or "Do you have any hobbies?"
M = Message
This step involves asking spiritual questions. People are usually receptive if the conversation is friendly and enjoyable. Here are some helpful principles.
Be aware. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide the conversation. Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. Revelation 2:7
Be purposeful. Consider using a transition question. One that works well is asking about a person's spiritual background. For example, "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.
Be personable. Share your spiritual background. Here is where the 15 second testimony comes in handy. It goes like this, "There was a time in my life when I was ____________ and ____________. (State two words or terms that defined your life before Christ) Then I asked God to forgive my sins through Jesus Christ. And I committed to following Him. Now my life is ______________ and ______________. (State two words or terms that define your life with Christ) Is any of that true for you?" Acts 4:20
Be directed. Use the four Start Up steps (Pray, Share, Ask, and Disciple) as a guide. Ask if you can pray for them, and share a Bible story (with the Jesus question). Then ask the Golden Question, and begin to disciple them to start and multiply their own group.
Be prepared. Be ready to answer the “What do you do?” question. It's common for people to ask what we do for a living. As Christians, what we do is not who we are. We are on mission for Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:20
When people ask this question we can respond by saying, "I show Christians how to make disciples." This leads to three follow-up questions. First, ask if they have experienced the peace, joy and hope (or three words that come to your mind) that comes from trusting in Jesus Christ?" If they say yes, move to the second question. If they say no, proceed to the Start Up steps: share a Bible story, ask the Golden Question and set up a time to begin disciple making.
If they say yes to knowing Christ, ask if they know how to make disciples. If they say yes, ask how they do it. If they say no, ask if they want to know how. If they say yes, proceed with the Start Up steps or set up a time to go through Start Up.
Be bold. Take the initiative and inform people of your mission. For example, "I like to help Christians make disciples. Do you know the joy and hope that comes from following Christ?" Then follow up with the rest of the Start Up steps (share a Bible story, ask the Golden Question, begin disciple making).
Be flexible. Adjust the conversation based on your specific situation. Most of the time it will be natural to start with the first topic and move through the conversation in order. However, sometimes it may be better to skip around or begin with one of the other topics.
Be opportunistic. Listen for words or phrases that can produce spiritual questions and eternal conversation. This can quickly create spiritual depth in the dialogue. Colossians 4:5-6
This step involves asking questions about 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 about special interests—for example, "What do you like to do for fun?" or "Do you have any hobbies?"
M = Message
This step involves asking spiritual questions. People are usually receptive if the conversation is friendly and enjoyable. Here are some helpful principles.
Be aware. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide the conversation. Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. Revelation 2:7
Be purposeful. Consider using a transition question. One that works well is asking about a person's spiritual background. For example, "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.
Be personable. Share your spiritual background. Here is where the 15 second testimony comes in handy. It goes like this, "There was a time in my life when I was ____________ and ____________. (State two words or terms that defined your life before Christ) Then I asked God to forgive my sins through Jesus Christ. And I committed to following Him. Now my life is ______________ and ______________. (State two words or terms that define your life with Christ) Is any of that true for you?" Acts 4:20
Be directed. Use the four Start Up steps (Pray, Share, Ask, and Disciple) as a guide. Ask if you can pray for them, and share a Bible story (with the Jesus question). Then ask the Golden Question, and begin to disciple them to start and multiply their own group.
Be prepared. Be ready to answer the “What do you do?” question. It's common for people to ask what we do for a living. As Christians, what we do is not who we are. We are on mission for Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:20
When people ask this question we can respond by saying, "I show Christians how to make disciples." This leads to three follow-up questions. First, ask if they have experienced the peace, joy and hope (or three words that come to your mind) that comes from trusting in Jesus Christ?" If they say yes, move to the second question. If they say no, proceed to the Start Up steps: share a Bible story, ask the Golden Question and set up a time to begin disciple making.
If they say yes to knowing Christ, ask if they know how to make disciples. If they say yes, ask how they do it. If they say no, ask if they want to know how. If they say yes, proceed with the Start Up steps or set up a time to go through Start Up.
Be bold. Take the initiative and inform people of your mission. For example, "I like to help Christians make disciples. Do you know the joy and hope that comes from following Christ?" Then follow up with the rest of the Start Up steps (share a Bible story, ask the Golden Question, begin disciple making).
Be flexible. Adjust the conversation based on your specific situation. Most of the time it will be natural to start with the first topic and move through the conversation in order. However, sometimes it may be better to skip around or begin with one of the other topics.
Be opportunistic. Listen for words or phrases that can produce spiritual questions and eternal conversation. This can quickly create spiritual depth in the dialogue. Colossians 4:5-6
Other helpful information
Be strategic. Remember the goal is to discover if the person is a storyteller. Keeping that objective in mind helps shape the conversation. The only way to see rapid multiplication is to begin with story tellers. They are the modern day version of people of peace. Luke 10:5-7
Be mission minded. The FARM conversation is especially suited for those you don't presently know. The real harvest is among unknown relationships. People we encounter every day who might be willing to engage in conversation, ready to hear about the Bible, and want to share it with others. John 4:35
Be inquisitive. There is no limit to the number of questions you can ask. Ask follow-up questions. Enjoy the dialogue. Get to know the person with whom you're conversing. Learn, understand, and discover. Have fun. If there is one thing most people are comfortable talking about, it is themselves.
Be available. If the person you are talking with doesn't want to answer spiritual questions, but is someone with whom you have more time, you might ask if they have any spiritual questions for you. You'll be surprised how many people have unanswered spiritual questions. Remember, the teacher is the Holy Spirit. Tell people what you know about their question, but point them to Scripture for ultimate answers.
Be a team player. If they don't want to know more and are someone you're not likely to see again, thank them for the chance to get to know them. People need several different exposures to the Jesus Christ before they respond. Play your role in graciously releasing them for their next encounter.
Be prayerful and loving. If they don't want to know more, but you will encounter them again (work, home, school, etc.), then your continuing ministry is prayer and acts of love. People are responsive to those who express genuine interest and demonstrate practical care. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Don't be surprised if they soften towards God at some point by accepting the invitation to learn more about God, from you or another, in the future.
Be other focused. While it is good to share common interests, do so in a limited fashion. Remember, this is about the person with whom you are speaking, not you.
Be progressive. The entire conversation can take several minutes, weeks, or even months, depending on the situation. The key is advancing the conversation each time you encounter the same person.
Be mission minded. The FARM conversation is especially suited for those you don't presently know. The real harvest is among unknown relationships. People we encounter every day who might be willing to engage in conversation, ready to hear about the Bible, and want to share it with others. John 4:35
Be inquisitive. There is no limit to the number of questions you can ask. Ask follow-up questions. Enjoy the dialogue. Get to know the person with whom you're conversing. Learn, understand, and discover. Have fun. If there is one thing most people are comfortable talking about, it is themselves.
Be available. If the person you are talking with doesn't want to answer spiritual questions, but is someone with whom you have more time, you might ask if they have any spiritual questions for you. You'll be surprised how many people have unanswered spiritual questions. Remember, the teacher is the Holy Spirit. Tell people what you know about their question, but point them to Scripture for ultimate answers.
Be a team player. If they don't want to know more and are someone you're not likely to see again, thank them for the chance to get to know them. People need several different exposures to the Jesus Christ before they respond. Play your role in graciously releasing them for their next encounter.
Be prayerful and loving. If they don't want to know more, but you will encounter them again (work, home, school, etc.), then your continuing ministry is prayer and acts of love. People are responsive to those who express genuine interest and demonstrate practical care. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Don't be surprised if they soften towards God at some point by accepting the invitation to learn more about God, from you or another, in the future.
Be other focused. While it is good to share common interests, do so in a limited fashion. Remember, this is about the person with whom you are speaking, not you.
Be progressive. The entire conversation can take several minutes, weeks, or even months, depending on the situation. The key is advancing the conversation each time you encounter the same person.