Start a conversation
Below are a couple examples of questions which you can use to easily start a spiritual conversation with anyone. Many people witness and begin conversations in different ways, below are only a couple examples we have found to be effective when witnessing. Feel free to try out other questions or to twist these in a way you feel will work better for you. So, please enjoy these questions, we hope you find them helpful:
Hi, how are you doing?
Isn't that an easy way to get into a conversation with somebody? When we witness, we don't have to immediately jump into spiritual matters. Introduce yourself and talk to the person a bit first. "What's your name? Where are you from? What do you do?" These are all great questions to ask to start a conversation.
Once you have introduced yourself to the person and they feel a little more comfortable around you, you can easily switch the conversation to eternity. My favorite way to do that is to ask them, "Do you mind if I ask you an interesting question?"
I have never had someone say no! Everyone likes to answer an "interesting question". After they say yes, you can easily ask them one of the following questions, and then, just like that, you are in a spiritual conversation.
If you died today, are you 100% sure you would go to heaven?
This is an excellent way to begin a spiritual conversation. No matter who the person is, they will have an answer. Rather the person believes in God, reincarnation, or nothing, this question is a great way to quickly understand what a person believes.
Most people say, "I think so" or "I certainly hope so". Others will flat out say yes. Can a person think they are going to heaven but they really aren't saved? Of course! If someone responds by saying they are sure they will go to heaven, simply ask them, "Why do you think you will go to heaven?"
Most people will give you an answer like, "I am a good person" or "I try to help other people". If someone tells you they feel good works or being a "good person" will get them into heaven, simply walk them through the 10 commandments (the law) to show them that no one can measure up to God's standard of perfection. To see how to use the law and the 10 commandments to show someone their sin, please click here.
When you die, what do you think happens? What do you think happens when we walk out of here?
When witnessing, this is without doubt the question I use most. It immediately gets people thinking about eternity.
Actually, a couple people I have asked this question have laughed. Not because they are laughing at me, but because they realize, "That is a big question!" And they are right, it is a very important question, and we all should make sure we have the right answer.
What is the most important thing to you? What will be in 20 years? What about the day you die?
This is a very non-threatening, but effective way to switch a conversation to spiritual matters. Simply ask someone, "What is the most important thing to you?" Most people say something like family. Then ask them, "What will be the most important thing to you in 20 years?" They answer. "What will be the most important thing to you on the day you die?"
The conversation almost immediately changes. If something doesn't matter on the day you die, than does it really matter? Often when you take someone through these questions they realize that what they might be living for will not help them when they walk off into eternity. From there, we simply show them the one true thing that will matter when we die: being washed clean of our sins by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Does that cross have any special meaning?
Hundreds of thousands of people where cross necklaces. Does that mean they wear it because Jesus died for their sins? No. Many wear crosses simply because they think they look cool, or because there is some other outside meaning to it (like their mother gave it to them). I was once talking to a young man who was wearing a large, silver, cross. When I asked him if it had any special meaning he said, "No." I then said, "So there isn't anything spiritual about it?" He then said, “No, but if it did I guess it would be Jesus." Now that's an interesting comment! Now, just like that, we are in a spiritual conversation.
You can use other things you notice on people to start conversations: jewelry, tattoos, or even t-shirts can all lead to spiritual discussions.