* Ask probing questions. When talking with people, insert questions into your conversations to try to determine how God is at work in their lives and whether or not their hearts are open to Him. Five key questions to ask are: “Do you have any kind of spiritual beliefs?”, “To you, who is Jesus Christ?”, “Do you think there is a heaven or hell?”, “If you died, where would you go? If heaven, why?”, and “If what you are believing is not true, would you want to know?” While someone is answering these questions, don’t say anything in response except “Hmmmmm.” Listen attentively as the person speaks for clues of how close his or her heart is to God.

* Share Scripture. Unleash the mighty power of God’s Word, remembering that faith comes from hearing its message. Ask the person with whom you’re meeting to read these seven key Bible passages aloud to you, in order: Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, John 3:3, John 14:6, Romans 10:9-11, 2 Corinthians 5:15, and Revelation 3:20. As he or she is reading, trust the Holy Spirit to convict the person’s heart. After each passage, ask the person, “What does this say to you?” and watch God at work. Don’t say anything yourself; let God’s Word speak for Him without interference. Simply nod and continue listening.

* Lead to a decision. After sharing the Scripture passages, ask the person five more questions to lead him or her to make a decision about Christ: “Are you a sinner?”, “Do you want forgiveness of sins?”, “Do you believe Jesus died on the cross for you and rose again?”, “Are you willing to surrender your life to Jesus Christ?” and “Are you ready to invite Jesus into your life and into your heart?”. Listen attentively, and after asking the last question, be silent to give the person plenty of time to think. While you’re waiting, pray silently for God to draw the person into a relationship with Him. If the person replies “no,” be sure to ask why and listen carefully, demonstrating love. If the person says “yes,” lead him or her in a salvation prayer and rejoice!

* Begin the discipleship process. Recognize that new believers need help getting them on the path to spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with Christ. Make sure they know that Christ has paid for all of their sins and doesn’t remember any of them anymore, and that Christ lives in their heart. Pray with them and encourage them to talk with God regularly. Ask them who has been praying for them up until this point in their lives, and urge them to visit church with one of those people – or with you. Encourage them to read the Gospel of John. Promise to call them soon to see if the Bible has come alive for them.

Adapted from Share Jesus without Fear, copyright 1999 by William Fay with Linda Evans Shepherd.  Published by Broadman & Holman Publishers, Nashville, Tn., www.broadmanholman.com.

William Fay was once a money-driven businessman with Mafia ties who ran a house of prostitution until it was raided by the police. Faced with the threat of jail time, he turned to Jesus Christ for redemption and ever since has been turning others to Him as well. Fay is currently chaplain with the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency, host of the internationally syndicated radio show “Let’s Go,” and resides with his wife in Ft. Myers, Florida.

Linda Evans Shepherd is an award-winning author and a popular speaker for women’s retreats around the United States. She and her family live in Longmont, Colorado.