SELECTED TRANSITIONAL QUESTIONS

These were taken from class notes in Evangelism taught at Wheaton College by Dr. Timothy Beougher during the Summer 1994 session of the Billy Graham School of Evangelism . ©1997 West Texas A&M University's Baptist Student Ministries Revised 2004 with additions by Dr. Buddy Young

• What do you think the Mel Gibson movie "the Passion of Christ" is about?
• Through the years have you come to know Christ in a personal way, or are you still on the way?
• Have you met Jesus Christ yet, or do you feel that you are still looking?
• Have you read the "Left Behind" Series of books? If Yes, Ask, Would you be left behind or be taken away with the Christians?
• Do you think about spiritual things often? Are you interested in spiritual things?
• In all of history, who do you think has affected history the most?  Why?
• In your personal opinion, what is a Christian?
• Do you know what  the Bible says about eternal life?
• Has anyone ever shared with you how to have a personal relationship with God?
• Do you know how to have a personal relationship with God? Would you like to know how? (If you could have a personal relationship with God, would you
  be interested?)
• What do you think of Jesus Christ?
• May I tell you how I know for sure that I am going to heaven? Why should God accept you into heaven?
• a.  Do you think heaven is a perfect place?
  b.  How close have you come to living a perfect life?
  c.  If God lets you go to heaven as you are, what will happen to heaven’s perfect record? Do you see any hope in the Bible verse II Corinthians 5:17?
• a.  Are you interested in spiritual things?
  b.  What do you think it means to be a Christian?
  c. Have you ever considered becoming a Christian?
  d.  If someone were to ask you what a real Christian is, what would you tell them?
  e.  Do you know any reason why you would not want to invite Jesus into your heart right now and become a real Christian?
• "____________, there are a few verses in the Bible that I know you would find interesting and helpful along these lines. Would you like to see them?
• I’ve heard you mention Jesus Christ’s name ____ times. Do you know Him?
• a.  Who are you?
  b.  What do you think about...? (right, wrong, politics, God, meaning of life, etc.?)
• a.  What do you think about your church experience now that you are away from home?
• Do you take your religious beliefs more seriously now or less seriously than when you were younger?
• You say you don’t believe in God.  What led you to that conclusion?  Have you studied ALL the evidence that is given to show that God exists?  If not, isn’t there a chance that you might be wrong?  Do you really want to know the truth or are you close-minded?
• . ...I know, and isn’t it amazing that Jesus actually said so many narrow things?  Wouldn’t it be intriguing to study Him to discover why He made such ‘egotistical’ claims?
• a.  Is your current lifestyle taking you closer to God or farther away?
  b.  Are you satisfied with your answer?
• a.  Several years ago I discovered the real purpose of life and ever since my life has been different.  This booklet has been a great help in reassuring me of that purpose and I  would like you to have it.
  b.  If you have 10 minutes I would like to share this with you.
  c.  If no response say, "I would like to challenge you to read this booklet before you go to bed tonight."
• a.  Have you come to the place in your spiritual life where you can say you know for certain that if you were to die today you would go to heaven?
  b.  Suppose that you were to die today and stand before God and He were to say to you, "Why should I let you into my Heaven," what would you say?  
• Do they talk about heaven much in your church?
• "I notice you have a Bible on your shelf."  (Then use #12). Or say, "What do you think is the central message of the Bible?"
• If they say, "I don’t believe the Bible," take them to John 3:16 and ask them:  "What about this verse do you disagree with?
• Did you grow up around Christians?
• Do you expect that God will be more real to you in the future than He is now?  (Or, has God been more real to you in the past than He is now?)
• Why do you think so many people avoid a personal walk with God and settle for just rituals and church membership?
• What do you think makes the difference between being a religious person and a true Christian?
• As you understand it, how does one become a Christian? (Most of the time people will answer this question by describing what a Christian does--i.e. "He goes to church.") You agree with the answer given, but then say, "You are telling
  me what a Christian does, but I am asking you how one becomes a Christian?"
• To someone who claims they are an atheist:  "You don’t look like an atheist.  An agnostic maybe, perhaps a skeptic.  But you look too intelligent to be an atheist.  Surely you know that it is intellectually impossible to be an atheist?
• I have seen a neat diagram that clearly explains how a person can know that he has a relationship with God. Would you like to see it?
• a.  Do you believe there is a God or a Supreme Being?
  b.  Do you believe that one day man will have to give account for his actions?
  c.  If today were that day, would you be ready to give account for yourself?
  d.  Do you know what the Bible says a man must do to be ready for that day?
• "You know, I heard the best message in church yesterday!" Share about the message briefly, then say, "By the way, are you interested in spiritual things?"
• If you came across an auto accident, and you were the only one there, and one person asked how to become a Christian, what would you say?
• a.  Do you ever give much thought to spiritual things?
  b.  What would you say is man’s greatest spiritual need?
  c.  God tells is that man’s greatest spiritual need is an experience of salvation.  Was there ever a time in your life when you seriously thought about your need
  of salvation?
  d.  What would you say a person needs to do to be saved?
• Develop your own--be creative!
  1) Psalm 68:20 - "to God the Lord belong escapes from death"
  2) "From that smile on your face it looks like you just might be one of us"
  3) Explain what their name means -- e.g. Timothy means "honoring God"