How do we move friendly conversations from talking about sports and the weather to talking about spiritual things?

How do we start soulwinning conversations?

"We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard"(Acts 4:20 -- Peter and John to the Sanhedrin) What do you fear the most about inviting those in your lifespace to "come and see Jesus" at your church fellowship?

Talking to unchurched people about God and His plan of salvation"Stand

still? NEVER! Not while the promises of revival are still unknown for this generation. Not while Christ is still a stranger to countless lost and dying souls around the world. Not while there is still one blind and stubborn heart that refuses to give praise and honor to our King Jesus!" - David Smithers If lost people matter to you the way they matter to God, what would your life look like?

Half of the unchurched Americans surveyed by Gallup pollsters said they intend to return to active church participation some day. Of that group, one in 5 said they would start back to church if someone would just talk to them about spiritual matters. So, how do you move a conversation to the level of talking with friends about a relationship with God and the assurance of salvation? Look through this list amd see how easy it is to test if a door is being opened for you to talk about spiritual things with: 1. 2. 3. 4. Someone you just met A long-time acquaintance A good friend A family member or a "best" friend

Some of the questions will initiate conversations that could be labeled preevangelism. This list is not designed to be pulled out of your pocket or purse as you start talking to someone. These are given to demonstrate the variety of ways that an opportunity can be given for people to talk with us on a deeper level.

People sharing faith: Spiritual conversation openers

General issues 1. What gives most meaning to your life? 2. What, or who, are your sources of strength in your day-today living? 3. When you have problems or crises, how do you manage to get through them? 4. Is religion or God important to you?

In what ways? If not, is there any particular reason why not? 5. Wouldn't you like to have faith in something? [ follow-up material ]
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Relationship questions 1. Does God (or a Higher Power) seem personal to you? 2. Do you feel close to or far away from God? 3. What do you imagine that God is like? 4. Can you point to things that God has done for you? 5. How is God working in your life right now? 6. Are you comfortable with what you understand to be God's guidelines and laws for living? 7. Do you feel there are barriers of some type separating you from God? 8. Have you ever been mad or upset with God? 9. Have you ever done something for which you feel God could not forgive you? 10. Do you understand the way to forgiveness and what it means? 11. Do you think God has a plan for each person's life? 12. What would it take for you to live up to what God expects of you? Devotional life and practice 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. What kinds of religious material do you like to read? What are your favorite authors, writings? Do you like religious music? Kinds? Favorites? Have you read much of the Bible? Do you understand the Bible when you read it? Does Bible reading help in living? How? 7. Is prayer a meaningful part of your devotional life? 8. Do you feel there is any spiritual growth going on right now in your life? The Church Are you involved in a church? What you get out of being involved in a church? 3. Which teachings of your church resonate the most with you? 4. Do you personally know anyone who is the pastor of a church? 5. Are you a member of an accountability or nurturing group in your church?
1. 2.

Religion and illness, dying and death 1. Has being ill made any difference in your thinking or feeling about God or your religious faith? 2. How has being ill affected your devotional life? 3. When you are ill, do you ever have feelings that God is punishing you or that it is His will for you to be sick? 4. How do you feel about suffering? 5. Do you trust God with your future?
For additional information on ministry to the terminally ill, see "6 don'ts for ministry to the dying." The above questions are based on a list compiled by Harvey Elder for counselors to use in personal history taking.
"Without God" graphic from a Church Ad Project poster: www.churchad.com

Witnessing scenarios
How would you respond to these people?

"Friends, we have nothing to do but save souls. We have nothing to do but offer new life through Christ. That's our calling, whoever we are. That's our response of faith to the joy of Christ's resurrection."
-- John Wesley

"He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us." -- 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 When was the last time someone in your lifespace asked you for information about your God? Here are four scenarios which Dr. Doug Samples has created for use in teaching evangelism. Scenario 1 "I have always had the feeling that Christianity was an ideal that was too difficult for me to ever achieve. I feel like I would never be able to live up to all of the expectations, rules and demands in order to be a true follower of Christ. Being a follower of Christ places impossible demands and expectations that aren't realistic for humans. I'm not interested in being rejected or feeling like a failure again." Scenario 2 "I'm not sure why I'm not a Christian. I do believe in God, but I am just not ready for a daily commitment. I have enough commitments with getting married and with getting into medical school. There are so many rules in my life that I just don't need anymore. There are already tons of people trying to tell me how to live my life." Scenario 3 A twenty year old guy claims to be a Wiccan witch. He believes that he is the highest power and that he chooses his own fate. Wiccans have gatherings, like cult groups. He says that "spells" work if you know what you are doing and you have the right incantations. He believes that the human body is dead from birth. He explained, "From the minute that you are born your body grows, but really you are starting to die. All of your living days you are feeding your body to become a buffet for worms and insects." Life is therefore worthless. He is very Gothic and says he lives a depressed life. To him, he can't believe in a God for whom there is no proof. He feels also that the Bible contradicts itself the whole way through. He said that he likes being depressed and that he doesn't want to change. He has a lot of doubts and feels trapped in a lifestyle. He told me that Christ didn't die

for him, that Christ died because he got caught so they killed him. He then dropped the bomb on me. "Where was God when my six-month-old sister died?" he asked. Scenario 4 This is a 17 year old guy from California. I asked why he didn't believe in God and he told me because it got in his way. He said there was a certain way that he wanted to live his life, and that God and Jesus and all of that got in the way. He told me that to believe in God and Jesus takes a full commitment. He said it is something you should do with all that you are, and that he couldn't do that. He was even able to quote scripture where Jesus talked about counting the cost before you join. He said he just wasn't ready, but maybe he would be someday. He had "things to do" before he could give up his life.