How to intentionally probe someone's salvation in conversation (or have a gospel convo) ⭐️
Here's some helps to guide a Gospel convo with someone, based on who they are.
Tips to begin:
1. Be prepared in advance to have a conversation. - Try to have an idea some faq/objections they likely will ask you, and have answers ready or at least know where to look up those answers. (Below has helpful links).
-Know the Gospel and how to explain it, having a plan for walking them thru it. (Also linked below).
2. Find a time and place to bring up this spiritual conversation, which is on your heart.
A. In the car on way to church, on the way home from church, at home after church, in a setting you can talk, or at a coffee shop in the back corner. Etc.
B. If possible, consider:
Bringing another godly believer with you [or who can show up partway through the meet up], someone godly you trust to help you keep the convo on track, to help interact, or to lead the convo on your behalf without the unsaved person realizing you are behind this. So it could be seen as a convo initiated by the other person. They can go over a few things, answer some things you cant, and kerp it Gospel focused (to reach a decision).
*If a pastor, ensure you have a plan together so he can also interact after your attempt, to do a solid presentation & answer faq; it not being just you could be a help. However you think it would work case by case, and based on meeting location.
Whether its family, friends or significant other...
3. Know or Ask about his beliefs
4. Try to lead him to truth and the cross.
Pick one of the below [wherever they fit]
... and go 🙂
==========The Conversation==========
Generic witnessing:
"(Name), I dont know how much you have thought about Christianity before, but could I share with you what we believe in a short nutshell?"
On that note, I saw this video and would like your thoughts on it." Watch the NeedGod.com video, and...
●ask "Have you ever heard the Gospel presented so clearly?" 🙂. [Let them answer].
●then ask "Do you see your need for Christ, today?"
●[If yes ask] "Do you want to pray to God & get right with Him, now?
● [If yes bow while he prays, then pray over him yourself.
○And move on to guide him to get plugged in at a local Christian "Bible focused" church, to join, be baptized, begin discipleship & be of the community of believers there.
□if no, utilize the below tips to try to lead them around to genuinely recieve Christ.
For the Atheist/Agnostic/
(Name), There's something I wanted to discuss. You know... I remember you said you are an atheist//agnostic/open, but I never asked what your main issue is that prevents you from believing. Cutting through all the typical stuff people say, what would be your one reason?
>answer that objection. (Scroll to find)
[*fyi: their real main reason is love of sin].
>Looking up at Gotquestions.org or gty.org other things not listed at this link. Share the answer then, or let them know you'll find out and get back to them. Then text the info to them for looking at in private quiet time. But keep on track circling back for staying focused on the meeting being about the Gospel.
Tell him - "did you know people do not need to have perfect proof for something to be believed. We only need reasonable evidence to believe it. We learn and grow more in our understanding as we grow in our faith, after we believe." [Explain reasonable evidence. ]
Add in a did you know:
"A lot of people dont know this - Did you know in the OT God tells us he would defeat death and the NT tells us how he did it?"
Continue...
"Our problem and reason people dont want God to exist is because intuitively we know we are accountable to God for our sins. We know in our hearts and our conscience tells us when we do wrong. Doesnt matter if it is people in a far flung secluded tribe* or here in our country, everyone admits it."
[You can add:] "When we follow our heart and ways, because its corrupted, it only leads to sin & death, but if we turn from our sinful ways, & go God's way it results in life & blessing."
>share the gospel. [Yes, reiterate the Gospel]
"Most people declare they are good based on their own standard, but God's standard is higher. So we need to understand the bad news, before we get to and understand the good news... of the Gospel; it is called the good news because it offers hope, life and firm assurance. It is truly trustworthy and true."
[Make it personal:]
"Let's start at the bad first... How many lies do you think you have ever told in your whole life?... how many things have you stole (regardless of value), whether cheating on school tests, things you took from siblings, parents, others, halloween candy, things at stores, downloads, stuff online or whatever, would you say you were guilty of that even once?.... " Continue....
●Use info from NeedGod.com and here to present it](Law & Gospel... via good test).
Conclude:
"Since we know these things are actually true, and that sinners are headed for judgment and damnation, we need to flee to Christ for salvation. Jesus said Repent and Believe (Mark 1:15). If we turn to Jesus and trust in Him [who he is and what he has done] he will save us. ---- Right here right now, do you want to be made right with God and desire to live rightly?"
[If they delay and not really want to, say this]:
"God wants to restore us to our original design, to before the Fall happened, where we are in a right relationship with God, know Him, love Him, have spiritual life, and live blessed. Our Creator is lovingly wanting to restore all things and lead us into a sin free eternity of blessing and peace.
Knowing tomorrow isnt guaranteed, getting right with God today is important, as ones eternity is at risk if they delay getting this matter settled. Life without God is hard and hopeless, and will be ripped from us one day when death ceazes us because of our sins. Theres no hope after death, just the expectation of perfect justice, judgment and damnation for our crimes against God. We dont have to pay that debt in eternity if Christ pays it for us now, by obeying the Gospel. It is in our best interest. We get the free gift of eternal life, adoption of sons of God, the New nature with new desires, a renewed purpose in life and actual relationship with our God. That's all great news.
... please consider this today."
If they havent expressed desire to get right now today, Ask if you can pray for them. Then pray over them to God "asking Him to open his heart, to draw him to Him, to recieve Christ, have his sins forgiven, and begin a new and transformed life, in gratitude and love for all You have done for us by Christ Jesus. With tomorrow not guaranteed, please work in his heart to lead him to salvation today, and begin a whole new life. Amen"
Follow up in a few days and ask if they've thought about it since our talk. And see where he is on his journey to salvation.
Go from there as the Holy Spirit moves you, (from then onwards) in ministering and in that friendly relationship. Keep them in prayer too.
Note:
♡You can also make a video that presents all of this clearly in a generic way, and load to youtube/socials, and share the link in your online witnessing.
*Don't use it as a escape from real in person convos, but would be good as something you can post a few days after such convos, with the hope theyll see it, and be drawn by God to embrace salvation. If anything it is seed planting.
You need real convos irl, so they take it seriously, and God wants us ministering to unsaved folk in our circle of influence.
For the Religionist:
(Name), There's something I wanted to discuss. You know... I remember you said you are an [religious brlief] but I never really asked what you understood about Christianity. Cutting through all the typical stuff people say, what would be the key thing you never understood about Christianity to embrace it?
>answer that objection. (Scroll to find)
>religionist info to answer specifics (review in advance)
Here's something a lot of people dont know... Did you know in the OT God tells us he would defeat death and the NT tells us how he did it?
Everyone intuitively we knows we are sinners, and are accountable to God for our sins. We know in our hearts and our conscience tells us when we do wrong. Doesnt matter if it is people in a far flung secluded tribe* or here in our country, everyone admits it. But most are thinking what they prefer in their hearts over what is actually true.
>share the gospel.
Most people declare they are good based on their own standard, but God's standard is higher. So we need to understand the bad news before we get the good news.
How many lies do you think you have ever told in your whole life?...
[Use info at NeedGod.com]
(Law & Gospel... via good test).
How we are made right with God is not by deeds or works a sinful person tries to offer to God, because anything we offer is sinned, already corrupt and has nothing good in it. Things we see as our good deeds on a balancing scale will always fail to move that balance at all. That's why all the works based religions in the world fail to help someone. We arent saved by doing good works. Instead we are saved by the grace and mercy of the good and perfect God, by the way he made available for us; Jesus. He did all the work on our behalf. It is the only payment God will accept. He wont accept any sinners sin stained attempts, it is a dirty bribe a Holy God will not accept. Such self righteousness only adds to the crimes and punishment of the Just Judge in His court room.
Conclude:
Since internally we know these things that I shared are actually true, and that sinners are headed for judgment and damnation... we need to flee to Christ for salvation, he is the way God has offered us for salvation. Jesus said Repent and Believe (Mark 1:15). If we understand who the real God us, and turn to Jesus & trust in Him [who he is and what he has done] he will save us. Right here right now, do you want to actually be right with God and desire to live rightly?
For the False Convert:
A. If you have the convo:
(Name), There's something I wanted to discuss for a while/recently.
a). If someone came up to you and said "I heard you are a Christian, tell me why and how you came to Christ" what would you tell them?
>if they bungle it, and there's no solid gospel presentation, move on to...
b). "I don't recall us sharing our salvation testimony with each other. I would love to hear your testimony." [Let them give it, lead them to share it to you]
>if it's a hot mess, and they are clearly not articulating it, or it lacks biblical truth, probe with a guide further.
1> What was your life like before you came to Christianity?
2>What caused you to embrace Christianity?
3>How did your life change after coming to Faith?
4>How did it look or change or grow a few years after you professed faith?
5>How has your faith walk looked recently? Has it fallen back, grown stale, have you started walking off the right path... or has it grown in abundance more than how it was 3 or 5 or 10 years ago?
*His answers should be:
1. His sins, and need to be made right with God and to live righteously.
2. Hearing the Gospel; learning about sin & understanding how wicked my sins are in God's eyes. Obeying the command to Repent and trust in Jesus.
3. God radically transformed me and these are the ways he changed me xyz.
4. How he has grown beyond xyz and is maturing in the faith. Examples of how his daily life looks, his love for Scripture, Church, worship, being around believers and growing in the knowledge of truth to live more holy and become more like Christ daily.
5. If not genuinely saved or having issues he will share points related to that. If saved but weak he will point out his failings to grow as he stagnated and needs rekindling, encouragement and more accountability from the godly men at the church to impart and guide his life.
*If saved, and it's clear, you wouldn't be having this convo over concerns he's not saved.
c). Probing him to self examine deeper.
When you think back on when you made a profession to Christ, to what it looks like today... do you think upon self examining that it's possible you had a false conversion and really aren't actually saved?
I say that because I know you said you are a Christian but I see some things in your life that doesnt hold up to what's you profess to believe. God tells us what a believers life should look like in Scripture. I don't see your faith growing, it actually appears non existent in your daily life. So I have genuine concern for you.
Is there something that caused your faith to flounder and fizzle? Are there any questions I can help you with, to guide you back to the cross and Christ? I want to help you ensure you are saved.
>answer any similar quandry or objection theyve been mulling over without answers to. (Scroll to find).
>Looking up at Gotquestions.org or gty.org other things not listed at this link. Let them know you'll find out and get back to them. Then text the info to them for looking at in private quiet time.
d). share the gospel.
"God calls us to self examine to ensure we are saved. We are to preach the Gospel to ourselves daily, so this really is a positive for us to be doing anyway.
Most people declare they are good based on their own standard, but God's standard and expectation of each human is higher. So we look at the bad news, and then can really understand and embrace the good news.
How many lies do you think you have ever told in your whole life?..."
[Use info at NeedGod.com]
(Law & Gospel... via good test).
Conclude:
"Since we know these things are actually true, and that sinners are headed for judgment and damnation, we need to flee to Christ for salvation. Jesus said Repent and Believe (Mark 1:15). If we turn to Jesus and trust in Him [who he is and what he has done] he will save us. Right here right now, do you want to be right with God and desire to live rightly?"
B. If someone comes with you or comes over and is having this convo "in your place", as if uninitiated and casual:
Have them start with introductions, some chit chat and swing with intention to ask /follow basically the above pattern. It needs to be modified if they dont know the person..but it is helpful if the godly person is a neighbor, or someone they know or sorta know at church. They'll have been around them long enough to basically say "I see & think your living hypocritically and not genuinely, so let's address and fix this".
After he/she [same gender] is done probing the person, have the godly person share their testimony and how their day looks at home. Either as the make spiritual leader or as the wife who is being spiritually led by their husband. How their life grows and a recent example.
Have the godly person plan to introduce the person to a godly mentor at the church, or be willing to be that discipling guide at the church and lead him to other godly men/women who can further [intentionally with long term plan to] guide & speak into their life regularly at the church, and help them on the path to maturity.
Ensure the latter is already planned as an option already discussed so everyone included is ready and willing to do so prior to this entire convo today.
Prep work is essential.
Meet to talk. Have them think out how they'll have the convo and what the estimated role play will be as they lead the spiritual intervention.
You could have them meet up and you not even be there. You could be at home and not in the room but cooking a meal and listening in, or just let the godly person report back to you in detail the convo they had. A unbelieving bf/spouse would be more comfortable and let their guard down for genuine convos if you arent there.
If the false convert spouse doesn't do well in the convo and it wasn't fruitful... Keep praying. Find someone else and try again sometime relatively soon.
Do encourage and ask the godly person(s) who had the convo with him, to stay in touch with him in a general way, tell him he's open to having the spouse call or contact him anytime to ask any questions, to talk with him about spiritual and salvation topics, or for prayer requests.
Ensure the godly person updates you if such contact happens, so you can know if God is moving in his thought life, and what he might be thinking through or about. And just pray about it. Never bring it up that you know. Let God work in his life, through that outside influence. It may take time but God willing he will come to true salvation.
For the Unsaved:
(Name), There's something I wanted to discuss. You know... I remember/know you said you have a belief in God/are open to God, but I never really asked what you understood about Christianity. Cutting through all the typical stuff people say, what would be the key thing you never understood about Christianity to embrace it?
>answer that objection. (Scroll to find)
>religionist info to answer specifics (review in advance)
Here's something a lot of people dont know... Did you know in the OT God tells us he would defeat death and the NT tells us how he did it?
Everyone intuitively we knows we are sinners, and are accountable to God for our sins. We know in our hearts and our conscience tells us when we do wrong. Doesnt matter if it is people in a far flung secluded tribe* or here in our country, everyone admits it. But most are thinking what they prefer in their hearts over what is actually true.
>share the gospel.
Most people declare they are good based on their own standard, but God's standard is higher. So we need to understand the bad news before we get the good news.
How many lies do you think you have ever told in your whole life?...
[Use info at NeedGod.com]
(Law & Gospel... via good test).
How we are made right with God is not by deeds or works a sinful person tries to offer to God, because anything we offer is sinned, already corrupt and has nothing good in it. Things we see as our good deeds on a balancing scale will always fail to move that balance at all. That's why all the works based religions in the world fail to help someone. We arent saved by doing good works. Instead we are saved by the grace and mercy of the good and perfect God, by the way he made available for us.
Conclude:
Since internally we know these things that I shared are actually true, and that sinners are headed for judgment and damnation, so we need to flee to Christ for salvation, he is the way God has offered us for salvation. Jesus said Repent and Believe (Mark 1:15). If we turn to Jesus and trust in Him [who he is and what he has done] he will save us. Right here right now, do you want to actually be right with God and desire to live rightly?
*See additional tips in the above false convert discussion and generic witnessing convo to help w the conversation.
God bless.
Related:
Bonus: In the Air 🎶 by Toby Mac
