Most of us feel unqualified and ill prepared to tell people about Jesus. We can list all of the reasons why someone else is better suited for the mission.
Imagine if we truly embraced the Great Commission and we learned to take the gospel to a broken world in spite of our limitations and inadequacies. Imagine what it would look like if we were intentionally sowing gospel seeds all week. Imagine if everyone in the church was trained to turn everyday conversations into gospel conversations!
Everyday Conversations
The average person has 27 conversations per day. A recent study revealed that both men and women utter an average of about 16,000 words each day. We can talk about sports, weather, clothes, shoes, movies and TV shows. We’re even willing to debate the nuances of politics, the intricacies of health issues or the complexities of national economic matters.
However, when it comes to bringing up the simple gospel, we shy away. We break out in hives, our palms sweat, our tongues are tied and we find ourselves talking about everything but the gospel. The idea of injecting Jesus into our conversations causes great anxiety and fear for ordinary believers and pastors alike.
Many believers are afraid that gospel conversations will be confrontational or argumentative. We think we have to be trained for every possible theological perspective we may encounter before we can share the gospel. We’re often overwhelmed by the need to memorize a dozen verses or anxious that someone might ask a question we can’t answer. Sadly, sharing the gospel has lost its simplicity. It doesn’t have to be this way.
Consider the natural flow of everyday conversations. Our conversations include laughter, introspection, empathy and body language. We speak and we listen. Ultimately, our conversations have an introduction, a general direction, and a conclusion. Our conversations are never completely random or altogether open-ended. People are often looking to us to offer meaningful responses.
When was the last time you had a conversation and the person with whom you were talking shared a problem, issue or concern? It happens a lot. These interactions are gospel opportunities, and we train people to recognize and seize them.
Every day is filled with opportunities that will never again be captured. If we miss them, they’re gone. When we’re willing to turn conversations to the gospel, we’ll find that the gospel is robust. God is still reconciling the world to himself. “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear” (Isa. 59:1 NIV).
Getting conversations started is one of the hardest parts of sharing the Gospel. Once we take the first step—say those first words—it’s often smooth-sailing from there. Below you will find 15 ideas of ways to begin conversations about Jesus. No matter what your personality, you will find these ideas useful.
15 Ideas for Gospel Conversation Starters
1. Hand Them Something
Sometimes it is much easier to start a conversation when you offer something as a conversation piece.
“Hello! Here’s something for you to read when you have a chance.”
On a flight home from New Orleans, Jim, a follower of Christ was seated next to a teenage guy named Sean. As the teenager sat down, he put his earphones in and began reading a book—without even looking at Jim or saying hi. Of all the types of people God could have given Jim, this guy is about the hardest! However, Jim had prayed in advance for the person who would be sitting next to him, and he decided he needed to at least try something. Jim concluded that God was simply stretching him out of his comfort zone. He prayed that the Lord would open a door. After a while, Sean took his earphones out and Jim knew he’d better seize the opportunity. He casually handed Sean a book for skeptics. He explained that we can trust the Bible and that science doesn’t contradict it as some people say. Sean nodded in agreement and read the first few pages right away.
“So, what do you think?” Jim asked.
He said that it made some interesting points about presuppositions which he had never thought of before. He told me Jim was planning to read the rest later.
“Do you have any kind of church background?” Jim asked him.
Sean had gone to church some, but he told Jim that there were some things he didn’t really understand or agree with. Apparently, he had been taught that both faith and works were required for salvation. Jim shared the gospel briefly, explaining that we can have peace with God only through trusting in Jesus and the work He accomplished on the cross. Just before He died, Jesus said, “It is finished,” which means paid in full. Romans 3:28 states: “A man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”
The more they talked about this, the more interested Sean became.
“Yeah, that makes sense,” he told Jim. “I don’t get to talk about this stuff very often.”
“I just sort of feel like I owe you for the book,” Sean explained.
Sean seemed close to becoming a believer, and Jim was grateful for that book which helped him begin a conversation in a seemingly awkward situation!
2. Take Initiative in Casual Conversations
“How has your day been? Have you heard about the blizzard in Minnesota?”
- “Where are you headed?”
This is a good question to ask in gas stations or airports. People will often return the question, and this gives us an opportunity to tell them where we are going and why. If we include a reference to Christian activities in our answer, it can generate a discussion in that direction.
- What are your plans after you finish school? Do you have any life goals?“What’s next for you?”
- “What do you think of ‘such and such’ an issue?”
Asking someone his view shows respect. It shows that you value his opinion. If he returns the question, you have an opportunity to share.
- “I like your hat!”
Taking a friendly interest in others often leads to more opportunities.
- “Do you have any Christmas traditions?”
Holidays provide an expanded array of conversational topics. We can ask people if they have special plans, what family traditions they enjoy, or what the holiday means to them. We can ask questions such as, “Do you know what Emmanuel means?”
3. Drop Hints
“I’m on my way to a Bible study. We’re studying the Gospel of John tonight.”
Mentioning Christian activities in which you are involved gives others the opportunity to ask questions. It’s like setting out bait to see if they bite.
4. Learn From Them
“So, you’re a school teacher. What do you think is the biggest need of kids these days?”
“You’re from Denmark? What would you say are some of the biggest differences between Denmark and America?”
Many times when starting Gospel conversations, it feels like “nothing happened.” We think, That didn’t go anywhere. But we need to remember that for every “extraordinary” story, there are dozens of ordinary stories—simple attempts to share with no known results. Yet, in God’s eyes, I think often the ordinary is extraordinary. Here’s why. It takes more faith to persevere when we don’t see results. God controls the results. What He wants from us is faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Hebrews 11:6). And how do we know that the ordinary is ordinary? We shouldn’t think of those “mediocre” encounters as second-rate. Maybe God is doing something amazing behind the scenes. We just don’t see the whole picture yet.
5. Use Current Events
“It’s pretty unbelievable about the earthquake in _________. Have you been watching the news? Do you ever wonder why God allows things like that to happen?”
Even Jesus used this approach—He used a current event in the news to turn people’s attention to their own need to repent (Luke 13:1-5).
6. Wear an Illustration
“I’m glad you asked. There is actually a special reason why I wear this … ”
Curt wears one white shoe and one black shoe. Whenever people ask, “What’s up with your shoes?” he explains that his black shoe represents his old life (living in sin and darkness), and his white shoe represents his new life in Christ.
Another follower of Christ, Mirren, wears a pin that says “IF?” on it. When people ask about it, she tells them what it stands for: “If you died today, would you go to Heaven?”
7. Ask About Their Jewelry, Piercings, or Tattoos
“Is there a special meaning to the necklace you are wearing?”
Piercings or tattoos often have special meanings to people. Without condoning them, we can still take an interest in the person by asking about their meaning. You may be surprised by how naturally it opens doors for further discussion.
8. Ask About Their Culture or Religion
“Where are you from? What is the primary religion of your country back home? Do you have any religious beliefs?”
9. Use the Meaning of Their Name
“I like your name. Do you know what it means?”
10. Answer Ordinary Questions in a Non-ordinary Way
“Thanks for asking. I don’t know yet where I am going to college, but my main goal in life is … ”
“School is going well. One thing I’ve learned recently is … ”
“Our family is doing well. God answered prayer for us in a really encouraging way recently … ”
Every question we are asked is an opportunity to seize.
11. Share in Third Person
“Can I tell you about a really interesting conversation I just had?”
While walking home from the park one afternoon, I was feeling very encouraged by the opportunity the Lord had just given me. I had talked with four teens who were sitting at a picnic table, and one of the boys seemed extremely close to putting his faith in Christ.
Talking in the “third person” is a natural, non-offensive way to present biblical truths. By telling an unbeliever about a recent gospel conversation you had, you are teaching him the gospel in an indirect way. Sometimes there is wisdom in treating another person as if he is a believer, even if you don’t know if he actually is. He will be learning from you without a barrier of pride being put up. For example, if you say, “The problem with this nation is that so many have forgotten God,” people will often agree with you. Then you have an open door to explain the solution.
This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be bold and upfront with people. It simply means that sometimes we can use tact instead of being “preachy”— especially if we are talking to someone older than we are and want to make sure we come across respectfully. Sometimes it is wise to gently teach concepts one by one, as they can receive them. Other times, it’s better to be straightforward, as in the examples below.
12. Ask Directly if They Would Like to Hear the Gospel
“Hey, we are out here sharing the gospel with people today. Would you like to hear it?”
People appreciate it when we are honest about who we are and what we are doing. There’s no need to sound like a salesman, coax people into hearing the gospel, or beat around the bush. We are not ashamed of this message!
People respect it when you are willing to be upfront with them. Even if they say they don’t want to talk, or are unwilling to hear the gospel, at least they have now met someone who was bold with it! That short encounter alone will be a testimony to them. (Maybe, looking back, they’ll regret that they turned down the opportunity to hear what you had to say!)
13. Simply Say, “Can I Ask You an Interesting Question?”
“What do you think happens when someone dies? Do you think peace with God is a free gift or something you have to earn? Do you have any spiritual beliefs?”
I know it can be difficult to share the Gospel. One idea is to ask your server, “Hey, we are just about to pray for our meal. Is there anything we could pray for you about?” If you are unable to get a conversation going, another idea is to write a short personal thank-you note (even if it’s just on a paper napkin), expressing gratefulness for the good service. Include a Bible verse on the note, and tip well in order to be a good Christian testimony.
14. Meet Needs
“Can I help you with that?”
“Don’t worry about paying for your coffee—I took care of it.”
When we get involved in people’s lives by helping neighbors, giving unexpected gifts, bringing people meals, and looking for creative ways to meet needs, it prompts questions and strengthens relationships. It speaks louder than a thousand words. And, very often, it opens doors for the gospel.
15. Invite Them to Sit With You at Church
85% of those who consider themselves unchurched indicated in a recent survey that they would be willing to attend if they were personally invited. It is amazing how many Gospel conversations are started by an invitation to church. If your friend does attend church, then you can continue the conversation over lunch! And even if they don’t come, the invitation itself can be a great way to open the door to a deeper conversation about your faith. In fact, check out our Invite Page here!