Having Conversations About Jesus (2)
This is part 2 of Starting Conversations About Jesus. In part 1, we gave the following strategies to begin a conversation about Jesus:
Present Jesus as An Answer to a Need
Highlight Current Events that are Prophetic Fulfillments
Disarm Doubts with an Honest Compliment
Go and read part 1 to find out more. Here is the continuation of Starting Conversations about Jesus.
Give a Prophetic Utterance/Revelation (John 1:48-50)
Ask God to minister through you when you are sharing the gospel with someone. Be open to the Spirit of the Lord to reveal something going on in their life, or to speak an answer to their situation. This can create a powerful open door for the gospel. I know a sister in the Lord in New York City who struggles to even read but is more effective in presenting the gospel than many seminary-trained pastors. This is because she humbly allows the Lord to use her prophetically when sharing the gospel. Many times she reveals problems going on int her life. As she speaks into their life by the Spirit of God their hearts become open to the gospel.
God can minister through any believer prophetically. Desire and ask him to do it and he will. As you share the gospel, a witness of what the person is going through will come to your spirit, just speak it as the Lord leads you.
Share Your Testimony Honestly
Man Born Blind - All he knew was that Jesus opened his eyes. He had no other theological training to go by (John 9:24-34). However, he could boldly speak of it with the hostile Pharisees.
Especially when you have a testimony related to the situation of the person who you are talking to. This was also how the woman of Samaria spake about Jesus with the men of the city (John 4).
Especially when your testimony is unique or extraordinary (eyes open of a man born blind).
Explain a Scripture / God’s Nature / Your Faith
John 3:1-3 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
You may meet someone who is just curious as to the meaning of a scripture or about God’s nature. They may have questions about Christianity or religions. Try to answer the best that you can, and use it as an opportunity to talk about Jesus.
If you don’t know the answer to the question, you may tell the person how awesome it is that they want to know more about the Bible or God. Promise them you will find the answer and get back to them. Talk to your pastor or consult a trustworthy Christian resource.
Follow-Up
The key to a conversation is to follow-up with the person again. Keep those in prayer who you have been having conversations with about Jesus. Remember the good Samaritan. The good Samaritan not only tended to the wounded man but also took him to an inn and then left money for his continued care. Furthermore, he told the nurse to contact him for anything else. The good Samaritan followed up with the care of the wounded man.
Even so, you may have begun a conversation with someone where you saw an opportunity to talk about Jesus. You may have presented Jesus as an answer to a need. Perhaps you prayed with them or helped in some way. Or, you showed how the Bible and Jesus apply to current events. The person you spoke with may not have given their heart to Christ as yet. Therefore, follow up with the conversation.
Follow-Up with Their Needs
Ask them about the area of need, and how they are doing. Give any additional help as much as possible, or pray with them again. Encourage them to put their trust in God, and surrender to Christ who can make a difference in their life.
Follow-Up with Current News that Concerns Them
Follow up with current events in the news that the person may be concerned about and what the Bible says about the situation. Share with them any prophecy of scripture that is being fulfilled.
Follow-Up with a Recent Testimony
Once you are living a ready life with the Lord sanctified in your heart (1 Peter 3:15), you will have more testimonies of God working in your life - taking you through a trial, working a miracle in your family, giving you peace in difficult situations, etc. Share these reports of God’s blessings and work with your neighbors, co-workers, relative, and friends. Let them know what God did in your life this week or this past month. They will see that you actively look to Jesus in your life.
For starting any conversation with Jesus, depend on the Holy Spirit to lead and direct you. God directed Philip to join himself to the eunuch. The eunuch was reading Isaiah 53, and Philip asked him if he understood what he read. The eunuch said he needed someone to explain it. There was an opportunity for Philip to start a conversation with the eunuch about Jesus. The Holy Spirit led Philip to this opportunity, and as a result, the eunuch gave his heart to Christ. Listen to the Holy Spirit and allow him to alert you to the opportunities to start conversations about Jesus.
