How to Start a Spiritual Conversation

“Christ's method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, "Follow Me.”

- Ministry of Healing, p. 143

“He who begins with a little knowledge, in a humble way, and tells what he knows, while seeking diligently for further knowledge, will find the whole heavenly treasure awaiting his demand. The more he seeks to impart light, the more light he will receive.

The more one tries to explain the word of God to others, with a love for souls, the plainer it becomes to himself. The more we use our knowledge and exercise our powers, the more knowledge and power we shall have.”

- Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 354

“If you will go to work as Christ designs that His disciples shall, and win souls for Him, you will feel the need of a deeper experience and a greater knowledge in divine things, and will hunger and thirst after righteousness.”

- Steps to Christ, p. 80

“Heavenly angels have long been waiting for human agents—the members of the church—to co-operate with them in the great work to be done. They are waiting for you. So vast is the field, so comprehensive the design, that every sanctified heart will be pressed into service as an instrument of divine power.”

- Testimonies Vol. 9, pp. 46,47

“Every Christian saw in his brother a revelation of divine love and benevolence. One interest prevailed; one subject of emulation swallowed up all others. The ambition of the believers was to reveal the likeness of Christ's character and to labor for the enlargement of His kingdom.”

- Acts of the Apostles, p. 48

“There is no limit to the usefulness of one who, putting self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart and lives a life wholly consecrated to God.”

- Ministry of Healing, p. 159

How to Start a Spiritual Conversation

The FORT Method

- Family

- Occupation

- Religion

- Testimony

F

O

R

T

The FORT Method

Family – • How is your family doing?

(look at pictures on the wall)• Do you have any children?• Are you originally from this

area?• In what area were you raised?

The FORT Method

Occupation – • What kind of work do you do?• How long have you worked

there?• What type of work did you

do? (retired or unemployed)• How do you like your job?

The FORT Method

Religion – • Did you grow up in a Christian

family?• Have you been a (Methodist) all your life?• Do you attend a church?• Which church do you attend?• Does your whole family attend

together?

The FORT Method

Testimony – • My life before I accepted Christ was...• How I became a Christian...• My life since becoming a Christian...• I have recently been sharing with

my friends some interesting Bible lessons that have meant much to me. May I share them with you?

The FORT Method

- Family

- Occupation

- Religion

- Testimony

F

O

R

T

The TOPICS Method- Today- Occupation- Place, Partner, Parents- Interests- Current Events- Share

T

O

P

I

C

S

The TOPICS Method

Today - Talk about today’s

immediate situation and

surroundings. “Is this your

first time here? The weather

today is beautiful.”

The TOPICS Method

Occupation - Talk about their

occupation and educational

background. “What kind of

work do you do?” “Where do

you go to school?”

The TOPICS Method

Place, Partner, Parents -

Place they’re from. Partner:

Girlfriend? Parents: Family?

“Do you live close by? Are you

originally from Reykjavik?”

The TOPICS Method

Interests - Interests (hobbies,

recreation) “What do you do

for fun?”

The TOPICS Method

Current Events - Current

events (news) “Did you see

the Super Bowl, World Series,

World Cup ...?”

The TOPICS Method

Share - Share something

about yourself.

The TOPICS Method- Today- Occupation- Place, Partner, Parents- Interests- Current Events- Share

T

O

P

I

C

S

Onion Approach

Spiritual

Interest

Conversational Evangelism

“We are nearing the close of this earth's history. We have before us a great work, the closing work of giving the last warning message to a sinful world. There are men who will be taken from the plow, from the vineyard, from various other branches of work, and sent forth by the Lord to give this message to the world.

- Testimonies Vol. 7, pp. 270,271

“….If they will constantly be learners, through His providence He will make them men and women fitted to do a work that is not beyond their capabilities; through the impartation of the Holy Spirit He will give them power of utterance. Many of the barren, unworked fields must be entered by beginners.” - Testimonies Vol. 7, pp. 270,271