The Spiritual Conversation is an easy and fun way to share the gospel with anyone, anywhere, at any time. It's a simple and effective method of discovering people's openness to conversation, their interest in spiritual matters, and ultimately, their desire to read the Bible.
The Spiritual Conversation is especially useful with those you don't know. The real harvest is among unknown relationships. People we encounter every day, who are willing to engage in conversation, ready to hear about the life Jesus offers, and who will say yes to an invitation to know more. They're just waiting for someone to ask them.
The Spiritual Conversation is question driven. There is no limit to the number you can ask. Ask follow-up questions. Enjoy the experience. Get to know the person with whom you're conversing. Learn, understand, and discover.
The Spiritual Conversation is flexible. Depending on the situation, the entire conversation can take place in several minutes, or over repeated interactions covering weeks, or even months. The key is advancing the conversation each time you encounter the person.
The Spiritual Conversation is other focused. While it is good to share common interests, do so in a limited fashion. Remember, this is about the person you're talking to, not you.
The Spiritual Conversation is guided by three principles.
The Spiritual Conversation is especially useful with those you don't know. The real harvest is among unknown relationships. People we encounter every day, who are willing to engage in conversation, ready to hear about the life Jesus offers, and who will say yes to an invitation to know more. They're just waiting for someone to ask them.
The Spiritual Conversation is question driven. There is no limit to the number you can ask. Ask follow-up questions. Enjoy the experience. Get to know the person with whom you're conversing. Learn, understand, and discover.
The Spiritual Conversation is flexible. Depending on the situation, the entire conversation can take place in several minutes, or over repeated interactions covering weeks, or even months. The key is advancing the conversation each time you encounter the person.
The Spiritual Conversation is other focused. While it is good to share common interests, do so in a limited fashion. Remember, this is about the person you're talking to, not you.
The Spiritual Conversation is guided by three principles.
- Engage people in conversation.
- Inform them about the life Jesus offers.
- Invite them to read the Bible.
This is explained in more detail in the Tell phase of disciple making. Feel free to let the terms engage, inform and invite, generate your own personal version of the spiritual conversation.
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?”
O = Occupation
This step involves asking questions having to do with work—for example, “What do you do for a living?”
For students, the O becomes A (which stands for academics), and it becomes the FARM conversation—for example, “What are you studying?” or “What are your academic interests?”
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?”
O = Occupation
This step involves asking questions having to do with work—for example, “What do you do for a living?”
For students, the O becomes A (which stands for academics), and it becomes the FARM conversation—for example, “What are you studying?” or “What are your academic interests?”
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 conversation becomes spiritual. People are receptive to this transition if the conversation has been enjoyable. There are several options.
The direct option.
This occurs when you have developed enough rapport in the conversation to directly ask the person if they want to read the Bible. Sometimes it's natural to invite people straight away, to know more.
The natural option.
This occurs when the person shares a word or phrase related to the gospel during the conversation. When this occurs, inform them how Jesus meets that need, and invite them to study the Bible. For instance, "You mentioned that you're worried by all the social unrest these days. I've found peace by reading the Bible. Would like to know more?"
This is where the conversation becomes spiritual. People are receptive to this transition if the conversation has been enjoyable. There are several options.
The direct option.
This occurs when you have developed enough rapport in the conversation to directly ask the person if they want to read the Bible. Sometimes it's natural to invite people straight away, to know more.
The natural option.
This occurs when the person shares a word or phrase related to the gospel during the conversation. When this occurs, inform them how Jesus meets that need, and invite them to study the Bible. For instance, "You mentioned that you're worried by all the social unrest these days. I've found peace by reading the Bible. Would like to know more?"
The spiritual background option.
This occurs when the person does not share anything related to the gospel in the conversation. It consists of asking about a person’s spiritual background. For instance, "I have enjoyed learning about your personal background. I'm curious, what is your spiritual background?" This question has been used for decades to lead to a gospel presentation. Listen for words or phrases that provide a natural way to inform them about the life Jesus offers, and invite them to know more. If you don't hear any, ask follow up questions until you do. Or consider moving to the next option.
The spiritual question option.
This option requests permission to ask a spiritual question. For instance, “May I ask you a spiritual question?” If the person agrees, slowly recite John 3:16 NIV (or a Bible verse of your choosing), inform with a few summary statements, and invite them to know more. The invitation is the question. (See the sample below)
This occurs when the person does not share anything related to the gospel in the conversation. It consists of asking about a person’s spiritual background. For instance, "I have enjoyed learning about your personal background. I'm curious, what is your spiritual background?" This question has been used for decades to lead to a gospel presentation. Listen for words or phrases that provide a natural way to inform them about the life Jesus offers, and invite them to know more. If you don't hear any, ask follow up questions until you do. Or consider moving to the next option.
The spiritual question option.
This option requests permission to ask a spiritual question. For instance, “May I ask you a spiritual question?” If the person agrees, slowly recite John 3:16 NIV (or a Bible verse of your choosing), inform with a few summary statements, and invite them to know more. The invitation is the question. (See the sample below)
The Bible says God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. This means God loves you, He sacrificed His Son for you, and He invites you to a life of love, joy, hope, peace, power, and purpose. Would you like to know more?" |
If the person says yes, immediately show them how to do a One Thing Study. This applies to everyone regardless of their spiritual beliefs. Use an online Bible if you don't have a physical Bible. If everything goes well, schedule a next meeting. View the Overview as a guide for future meetings.
If the person says no, but is still interested in conversing, ask a more open-ended question. For example, "Do you have a question for me?" or "Do you have an unanswered question about God?" This seems simple, but this question can result in great dialogue. Many people have unanswered spiritual questions.
If the person says no, and is not someone you're likely to encounter again, thank them for their time and let them know you appreciated getting to know them. People need several exposures to the gospel before making a lasting decision. Be content being part of the process. How well people are released determines how open they are to future gospel conversations. (John 4:37-38)
If the person says no, and is someone you interact with on a regular basis then prayer and love is your ongoing ministry. We don't need people's permission to love and pray for them. Don't be surprised if at some point in the future that person indicates an openness to the gospel.
If the person says no, and is not someone you're likely to encounter again, thank them for their time and let them know you appreciated getting to know them. People need several exposures to the gospel before making a lasting decision. Be content being part of the process. How well people are released determines how open they are to future gospel conversations. (John 4:37-38)
If the person says no, and is someone you interact with on a regular basis then prayer and love is your ongoing ministry. We don't need people's permission to love and pray for them. Don't be surprised if at some point in the future that person indicates an openness to the gospel.
You can do this, you will love this, because you are made for this.