“Shifting the Conversation”

Monday, May 07, 2018

One of the keys to converting people is learning how to initiate a spiritual conversation.

Direct – a question that opens up a discussion of spiritual things

• Are you saved?
• If you died tonight, would you go to heaven? (only with a close friend)
• Do you go to church anywhere? (this was Grover Stevens’ favorite opener)

Indirect – talking about something else, you shift the conversation to spiritual things

John 4

Verses 1-6 – just an ordinary meeting (we pass up a lot of opportunities)

                In many cases, there are no second chances.

Verses 7-9 – made personal contact

                Treated her as important; friendly and kind in spite of her wickedness

Verses 10-14 – shifted from secular to spiritual

                Listen to what they are saying – issues in their lives, what’s important to them

                Let them know that Jesus has the answers

Verses 15-26 – showed her need for God

Notice what happened:

                Verses 27-30 – she became a believer

                Verses 39-42 – many others became disciples (the multiplying effect)

Applications

• Things that can indicate a spiritual need: a job change, moving into a new town, birth of a child, sickness, death of a loved one, a divorce, family problems
• A political discussion – many issues have spiritual implications (avoid harsh criticisms of other viewpoints) – we want to save their souls, not convert them to a political party
• Current headlines – almost always have a spiritual dimension
• My favorite – “That reminds me of something we talked about in Bible class recently”
• At a restaurant, grocery store, gas station, drug store, barber shop – “Thank you for helping us today. We are part of an undenominational church and I’d like to invite you to visit with us sometime.” Give her a card and leave.
• If you’ve been afraid to bring up the Lord to a long-time friend – “You know, Bill, we’ve been friends for a long time and I’ve wanted to talk to you about spiritual things, but I’ve always been afraid to bring it up.” See how he reacts.
• Colossians 4:5-6

--Roger Hillis

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