The FARM conversation is an excellent resource for situational witnessing. It works anywhere, with anyone, at any time. 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.
Any questions that have to do with family. For instance, "Do you have a family?" or "Are you from around here?"
A = Academics.
Any questions that have to do with school. For instance, "What are you studying?" or "What is your major?" For non students the A becomes an O and stands for Occupation. For instance, "What kind of work do you do?" or "What do you do for a living?"
R = Recreation.
Any questions that have to do with spare time activities. For instance, "Do you have any hobbies or special interests?" or "What do you like to do in your spare time?"
Any questions that have to do with family. For instance, "Do you have a family?" or "Are you from around here?"
A = Academics.
Any questions that have to do with school. For instance, "What are you studying?" or "What is your major?" For non students the A becomes an O and stands for Occupation. For instance, "What kind of work do you do?" or "What do you do for a living?"
R = Recreation.
Any questions that have to do with spare time activities. For instance, "Do you have any hobbies or special interests?" or "What do you like to do in your spare time?"
M = Message
This involves asking spiritual questions. People are usually receptive if the conversation has been friendly and enjoyable. Here are some helpful principles.
Be Spirit led. Let the Holy Spirit 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 salty. Consider asking, "How does Jesus fit into your spiritual (or life) journey?" Often the answer to this question reveals if the person is a believer or unbeliever. It also discloses their attitude towards Jesus Christ; favorable, negative, indifferent, unaware. This helps determine where the conversation needs to go from there. Colossians 4:5-6
Be invitational. Invite people into the disciple making process. Ask if you can pray for them, share a Bible story, and then take them through Pathway.
This involves asking spiritual questions. People are usually receptive if the conversation has been friendly and enjoyable. Here are some helpful principles.
Be Spirit led. Let the Holy Spirit 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 salty. Consider asking, "How does Jesus fit into your spiritual (or life) journey?" Often the answer to this question reveals if the person is a believer or unbeliever. It also discloses their attitude towards Jesus Christ; favorable, negative, indifferent, unaware. This helps determine where the conversation needs to go from there. Colossians 4:5-6
Be invitational. Invite people into the disciple making process. Ask if you can pray for them, share a Bible story, and then take them through Pathway.
more helpful principles
Be ready. Have a Bible story from the DBS Story Sets ready to share. Use Pathway as a template for making disciples.
Be Bible centered. Try to get as many people to Discovery Bible Study (DBS) as quickly as possible, in the timing and power of the Holy Spirit. The goal is to bring people into a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ through the Spirit of God by studying the word of God.
Be prepared. Be ready to answer the “What do you do?” question. It's common for people to eventually ask what we do. When people ask this question, as followers of Jesus Christ, we can respond by saying, "I show Christians how to make disciples." This leads to three follow-up questions.
Be sensitive. Listen for pain points—difficult or hard circumstances. Listen for words that serve as a natural bridge to spiritual dialogue and eternal conversation. Colossians 4:5-6
Be story centered. Think their story, my story, God's story. Listen to people's story. Share common experiences. Tell how God became the hero of your story. Psalm 107:1-38
Be personable. Share your testimony in a 15 second version. It goes like this, "There was a time in my life when I was ____________ and ____________. (State two words or terms that defined your life without Christ) Then I let God 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) Do you have a story like this?" Acts 4:20 Even, if they can't relate, ask them what is true for them.
Be flexible. Base the conversation about the specific situation. Most of the time it will be natural to start the FARM conversation from the beginning and move through in order. However, sometimes it may make better sense to begin with one of the other topics.
Be persistent. The more you engage people in spiritual conversations, the more effective you will become. Use your experience, vocabulary and temperament to develop a fruitful approach to disciple making.
Be complete. Love, joy, and hope await those who believe in Jesus. Wrath, judgment, and hell are upon those who reject Him. John 3:36 Part of the process of discovering persons of peace is “shaking the dust from your feet.” Be ready to inform people of the consequence of rejecting Jesus. Luke 9:5
Be topical. Ask people if they are complacent (they don't want to know more about Jesus), curious (they want to know more about Jesus), convinced (they know about Jesus but want to grow in their faith), or committed (they want to be trained to help others know about Jesus). Each of these determine next steps.
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. Most people need several different exposures to the Jesus Christ before they respond. Play your role in graciously releasing them for their next encounter.
Be patient. If they don't want to know more, but you will encounter them again (work, home, school, etc.), then your continuing ministry is faithful 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 and accept an invitation to learn more about God, from you or another, in the future.
Be other centered. While it is good to share common interests and shared experiences, 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 person.
Be winsome. Share about the hope, joy, love, peace, power, and purpose that Jesus Christ brings to life. Describe Jesus for who he is, forgiving, healing, and eternal. Explain how he resolves chaos, conquers sin, and gives meaning to life. Encourage them to begin the journey of trusting him and serving him by studying Scripture.
Be Bible centered. Try to get as many people to Discovery Bible Study (DBS) as quickly as possible, in the timing and power of the Holy Spirit. The goal is to bring people into a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ through the Spirit of God by studying the word of God.
Be prepared. Be ready to answer the “What do you do?” question. It's common for people to eventually ask what we do. When people ask this question, as followers of Jesus Christ, we can respond by saying, "I show Christians how to make disciples." This leads to three follow-up questions.
- Question #1: "Do you know the joy and hope (or any two words that come to mind) that come from trusting in Jesus?" If they say yes, move to the next question. If they say no, say, "It begins by hearing an encouraging story from the Bible. May I share one with you?" If they say yes, share a story from the DBS story set and ask what is said about God and man. Then ask the golden question, "Do you know others who would like to hear this story from you?" If they say yes, text them the story and begin to disciple them. Use Pathway as a guide.
- Question #2: "Do you know how to make disciples that make disciples?" If they say yes, ask how they do it. If they say no, move to the next question.
- Question #3: "Do you want to learn how?" If they say no, thank them for their time. If they say yes, say, "It begins by learning a simple Bible study method. May I share it with you?" Then begin with Step 1 of Pathway.
Be sensitive. Listen for pain points—difficult or hard circumstances. Listen for words that serve as a natural bridge to spiritual dialogue and eternal conversation. Colossians 4:5-6
Be story centered. Think their story, my story, God's story. Listen to people's story. Share common experiences. Tell how God became the hero of your story. Psalm 107:1-38
Be personable. Share your testimony in a 15 second version. It goes like this, "There was a time in my life when I was ____________ and ____________. (State two words or terms that defined your life without Christ) Then I let God 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) Do you have a story like this?" Acts 4:20 Even, if they can't relate, ask them what is true for them.
Be flexible. Base the conversation about the specific situation. Most of the time it will be natural to start the FARM conversation from the beginning and move through in order. However, sometimes it may make better sense to begin with one of the other topics.
Be persistent. The more you engage people in spiritual conversations, the more effective you will become. Use your experience, vocabulary and temperament to develop a fruitful approach to disciple making.
Be complete. Love, joy, and hope await those who believe in Jesus. Wrath, judgment, and hell are upon those who reject Him. John 3:36 Part of the process of discovering persons of peace is “shaking the dust from your feet.” Be ready to inform people of the consequence of rejecting Jesus. Luke 9:5
Be topical. Ask people if they are complacent (they don't want to know more about Jesus), curious (they want to know more about Jesus), convinced (they know about Jesus but want to grow in their faith), or committed (they want to be trained to help others know about Jesus). Each of these determine next steps.
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. Most people need several different exposures to the Jesus Christ before they respond. Play your role in graciously releasing them for their next encounter.
Be patient. If they don't want to know more, but you will encounter them again (work, home, school, etc.), then your continuing ministry is faithful 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 and accept an invitation to learn more about God, from you or another, in the future.
Be other centered. While it is good to share common interests and shared experiences, 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 person.
Be winsome. Share about the hope, joy, love, peace, power, and purpose that Jesus Christ brings to life. Describe Jesus for who he is, forgiving, healing, and eternal. Explain how he resolves chaos, conquers sin, and gives meaning to life. Encourage them to begin the journey of trusting him and serving him by studying Scripture.
Resources
- See DMM Resources