Looking for a teaching position decades ago, Susie was once asked at a Christian school: How many people have you led to Christ, using the “Roman Road”?
It’s helpful to have gospel steps stored in mind, such as Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 10:9-10. But by contrast the “Jesus Journey” toward faith was different with each person he encountered, tailored to their situation.
Our Savior’s approach was often with a question:
What are you discussing? (Luke 24:17)
Do you want To get well? (John 5:6)
Why do you worry? (Matthew 6:28)
Has no one condemned you? (John 8:9)
Do you understand what I’ve done for you? (John 13:12)
Who do you say I am? (Mark 8:29)
Do you love me? (John 21:17)
Which kind of question might fit with a friend of yours? May depend on how spiritually receptive they are.
A scale for assessing one’s stance toward the gospel goes from -5 to +5:
-5 Hostile or bitter resistance
-4 Committed to another religion or belief system
-3 Disinterest in spiritual matters
-2 Questioning, with little info or understanding
-1 Sympathetic / respectful of Jesus
0 Ready to believe
+1 Crossed the line of gospel faith
+2 Prays regularly
+3 Attends church regularly
+4 Involved in a small group or service
+5 Integrated faith with all areas of life and death
What if we started a conversation with a question that a friend might want to answer? Which also corresponded to where they are in their faith? Whether a ways from belief:
“What do you want at this point? What are you most grateful for? What are you hoping for? What worries you? What do you believe most deeply?” Or, a little deeper: “How do your religious roots stay with you? What guidance do you get from your beliefs? How has your faith struggled or strengthened through what you have endured? What do you want God to do in your life?”
Then, like our Savior, watch where the Holy Spirit might take the conversation. Ready to give a reason for our gospel hope. So that our friend make take one step at a time along the trail toward faith.
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