One of the greatest challenges for Christians is how can we take “nice” conversations to a deeper level that touches the other person’s soul. We can do this by seeking the Lord to guide our conversations and asking great questions.
I. HOW ARE YOU?
How are you?
What is happening in your life?
What brings joy into your life?
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What is the cry in your soul at this time?
What are your aspirations – your dreams for the future?
What are you excited about?
Are you afraid of anything? If so, what?
What are you doing that nurtures your soul?
II. WHO ARE YOU?
Who are you and how did you end up here?
Everyone has a story. What is YOUR story? You can then tell them your story, and HIS (Jesus’s) story.
Is there a song, book, movie, or work of art that describes your life?
What would you wear to a costume party?
What story about yourself or your life experience do you tell the most to others?
What really makes you come alive?
III. WHAT WERE THE DEFINING MOMENTS IN YOUR LIFE?
Have there been DEFINING MOMENTS – turning points in your life when you gained some new insight or experienced a radical change that changed the direction of your life? What were they?
Who has had the greatest positive impact on your life?
Do you realize that you can have or are having that kind of impact on other people? Who in particular? Who COULD you have that kind of impact on?
Do you have close friends you can call when your life is falling apart?
Do you have a small group of friends that you meet with on a regular basis to talk about life and death and God?
IV. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT GOD?
When you die and pass through the veil of death into eternity, what do you think you will see and experience? Does that make you afraid? Intrigued? Excited?
If you visited heaven, what do you think you would find?
If you visited hell, what do you think you would find?
What do you think about God? Is He your friend?
What do you think He wants from you?
What do you want from Him?
How do you see Jesus? What do you think it would have been like to be around Him when He walked on the earth?
Do you spend time with the Lord in His Word and prayer every day?
Do you realize that reading the Bible and worship are divine encounters with the sovereign, living God of the universe?
Do you pray daily? Constantly? What do you think that means to pray constantly?
Why do you think the Word of God says it is a narrow gate and difficult path which leads to eternal life in heaven and there are few that find it?
How can we stay on the narrow path?
V. HOW IS THE LORD WORKING IN YOUR LIFE?
Have you ever seen the hand of the Lord in your life or sensed His presence? When was it, and what was it like?
How is the Lord working in your life? What is He teaching you?
Do you realize that, as a Christian, the Holy Spirit dwells within you, and seeks a personal relationship with you?
How does that make you feel?
Do you believe we can discern the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit and be nurtured, convicted, taught, and guided by Him each day?
Do you look for the divine appointments God has for you each day?
Do you understand why God, who is a God of love, allows pain and suffering?
Which do you think is most likely to draw people to the Lord: worldly success or great trials and tribulation?
VI. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE PURPOSE AND CALLING?
Do you know the Lord’s calling on your life – the unique and special purpose for which you were created? (We are not here by chance, but for such a time as this.)
Are you fulfilling His calling upon your life? If not, what is holding you back? SO WHAT?
What are you holding on to from your past that you need to let go of so you can be spiritually clean and free to live life in the Spirit?
What is the most important message you would give to young people today?
How do you perceive other people? As possible friends? Lost souls?
Potential brothers or sisters in the Lord?
What else would you like to say?
How can I pray for you?
To God be the glory.
Mark Peterson, Ph.D, is a retired educator who’s worked with people in Southeast Arkansas. He’s a member of the vestry at First Lutheran Church at Eighth and Rock streets at Little Rock. The community is invited to join them for worship at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. Details: FirstLutheranLR.com.
Editor’s note: Pastors, ministers or other writers interested in writing for this section may submit articles for consideration to shope@adgnewsroom.com. Please include your phone number and the name and location of your church or ministry. Writers should have a connection to Southeast Arkansas.