Steps to Leading a Man to Christ - The last time you attempted to win a soul for Christ, how did it go? In many fellowships, the least attended church program is evangelism. Soul winning is a serious business both for the wise and the foolish. Although soul winning is a command, many believers struggle to achieve success because they want to do their own way. Many have given up. In John chapter 4, Jesus Christ gave us a practical example of how to lead a person to Him. The account of the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman showed that even that the unrepentant prostitute has hope in Christ. From this encounter, Christ presented a model of how to lead a person to Christ.
There are eight steps we can identify from this encounter. 8 steps to leading a person to Christ Jesus.
As the disciples of Jesus went to look for food, Jesus had the insight to stay at a place where people are likely to come for one thing or other. One of those place is the well of Jacob which has huge significance to the people. Jesus had the insight to take position to meet a person and that was the woman who came to draw water from the well. As a soul winner, you should develop the spiritual insight to take position at a place where you can speak to people about Christ. Those places could differ in your environment, but you will be lead by the Holy Spirit when look around. A recreation park, a walking path, a fishing pond, a shopping mall, a bus stop, a study room, or even becoming a member of a school basket ball or cricket society could be one of them. Having an insight will make you be ahead and give you the opportunity to speak to someone about the love of Christ.
Jesus began by initiating a conversation. He said to her, “will you give me a drink” (John 4:7, NIV). Always be prepared, ready and willing to initiate a conversion with a non Christian. Asking a question from issues and materials around you can be a good way to start. Jesus started with the water in the well, which was the woman’s interest at that point. Using what will not scare people will be a good start. Understand your environment. What do people value most in that environment; education, wealth, money, children, sports, leisure. Use it to initiate a conversation. You can also other issues as the Holy Spirit leads you, but be sure that initiating a healthy and interesting conversation could be vital to wining a soul.
Take interest on what the person is, and show love that breaks a barrier. Jesus made an unusual request. A Jew asking for a drink from a Samaritan was very unusual. This shows that Jesus was willing to let go the difference and religious barriers. This is an act love which many find difficult to show. Be loving and accepting. Listening to people and hear there dear fear and pain. Be ready to respond in love and power of the word of God. Show an unmistakeable interest; ask questions about the person’s job and family.
Add some measure intrigue to what the person already knows. Jesus told the Samaritan woman, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water”. From talking about water, Jesus introduced some key elements of the gospel.
Introduce some curiosity and even show a testimony the person can identify with. For example, “If I had known what I know now 3 years ago, I would not have done that foolish thing”.
Direct your discussion to introduce the gospel. Jesus did this by asking the Samaritan woman to go call and her husband. Of course, Jesus knew that she had no husband and the man she is living with is not her husband. This mysterious enquiry into the woman’s life made curious to focus on the worship of God and to explore who Jesus was. Use some questions as the Holy Spirit leads you. At this point the Holy Spirit of will take over your mouth. You will say things that will rouse spiritual interest. After this exposition of her by the Jesus, who do not live in Samaria, the woman said, “Sir, I can see that you are a prophet”. (John 4:19).
I can suggest some questions that you can ask.
Introduce Jesus and who He is. Introduce His love and faithfulness. After you have initiated conversation, made the personal enquiries about the person and shown interest in his/her personal being, then it is time to introduce Jesus. Jesus turned the discussion into the more important issues; worship, salvation, truth, Holy Spirit, coming messiah. As you introduce the issues that are eternal to life in Christ Jesus, you get a reaction. Be ready to use this moment. The reaction could be acceptance or rejection. The Samaritan showed an accepting reaction when she said, “I know that Messiah (called Jesus) is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us” (John 4:25). Jesus used this moment to introduce himself as the messiah when he said, “I who speak to you, I am he”. Whatever the reaction is, introduce Jesus as the saviour, who he is and what he has come to do. This is the core of the message.
Invite the person to Jesus Christ. This is an opportunity to invite the person to accept Jesus as his/her personal Lord and saviour. Be in the spirit and pray in your spirit.
You can ask, “do you want to give your life to Jesus Christ?” “Is there any reason why you cannot give your life to Christ today, tomorrow may be too late”. Lead the person to Christ on his/her own willingness to do so.
One of the first signs of a true acceptance of Jesus and salvation is that the person will be very eager to talk about his/her experience. The joy of salvation explodes like dynamite. The Samaritan woman ran into the city and told everyone in city what has happened to her. Come; see a man who told me everything I ever did, could this be the Christ, she said, (John 4:29). She succeeded in bring the Samaritans to Christ as they could not dispute her conviction. The Samaritans probably knew her case and life style very well. A soul that truly accepts the invitation to Christ will invite others.
Help the person to become incorporated into the church of God and the body of faith so he/she can grow. If you are familiar with the area, you can suggest bible teaching and believing church to the person. If you not familiar with the area, advise the person to find a bible teaching and believing church and attend. Follow up is very important. Taking the young believer from the point of surrender to the point of spiritual maturity is very important. Advise the person to study the bible. In this, you have to ensure that the person has a bible. Get him/her one. Daily devotion and prayers is also very important.
If there is any time in the world history that humanity needs to hear the good news of Jesus and become saved, it is now.
I believe that these 8 steps will help you in your push to win a soul today. Share it with your church and evangelism team.
There are eight steps we can identify from this encounter. 8 steps to leading a person to Christ Jesus.
- Insight
As the disciples of Jesus went to look for food, Jesus had the insight to stay at a place where people are likely to come for one thing or other. One of those place is the well of Jacob which has huge significance to the people. Jesus had the insight to take position to meet a person and that was the woman who came to draw water from the well. As a soul winner, you should develop the spiritual insight to take position at a place where you can speak to people about Christ. Those places could differ in your environment, but you will be lead by the Holy Spirit when look around. A recreation park, a walking path, a fishing pond, a shopping mall, a bus stop, a study room, or even becoming a member of a school basket ball or cricket society could be one of them. Having an insight will make you be ahead and give you the opportunity to speak to someone about the love of Christ.
- Initiate
Jesus began by initiating a conversation. He said to her, “will you give me a drink” (John 4:7, NIV). Always be prepared, ready and willing to initiate a conversion with a non Christian. Asking a question from issues and materials around you can be a good way to start. Jesus started with the water in the well, which was the woman’s interest at that point. Using what will not scare people will be a good start. Understand your environment. What do people value most in that environment; education, wealth, money, children, sports, leisure. Use it to initiate a conversation. You can also other issues as the Holy Spirit leads you, but be sure that initiating a healthy and interesting conversation could be vital to wining a soul.
- Interest
Take interest on what the person is, and show love that breaks a barrier. Jesus made an unusual request. A Jew asking for a drink from a Samaritan was very unusual. This shows that Jesus was willing to let go the difference and religious barriers. This is an act love which many find difficult to show. Be loving and accepting. Listening to people and hear there dear fear and pain. Be ready to respond in love and power of the word of God. Show an unmistakeable interest; ask questions about the person’s job and family.
- Intrigue
Add some measure intrigue to what the person already knows. Jesus told the Samaritan woman, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water”. From talking about water, Jesus introduced some key elements of the gospel.
- the gift of God
- living water
- the person of Jesus
- prayer (ask him)
Introduce some curiosity and even show a testimony the person can identify with. For example, “If I had known what I know now 3 years ago, I would not have done that foolish thing”.
- Inquire
Direct your discussion to introduce the gospel. Jesus did this by asking the Samaritan woman to go call and her husband. Of course, Jesus knew that she had no husband and the man she is living with is not her husband. This mysterious enquiry into the woman’s life made curious to focus on the worship of God and to explore who Jesus was. Use some questions as the Holy Spirit leads you. At this point the Holy Spirit of will take over your mouth. You will say things that will rouse spiritual interest. After this exposition of her by the Jesus, who do not live in Samaria, the woman said, “Sir, I can see that you are a prophet”. (John 4:19).
I can suggest some questions that you can ask.
- What is the greatest need that you have ever had?
- By the way, are you interested in spiritual things.
- Has your view of God changed since you came to college (this place)?
- What’s been your experience with Christianity?
- What’s your church background?
- Introduce
Introduce Jesus and who He is. Introduce His love and faithfulness. After you have initiated conversation, made the personal enquiries about the person and shown interest in his/her personal being, then it is time to introduce Jesus. Jesus turned the discussion into the more important issues; worship, salvation, truth, Holy Spirit, coming messiah. As you introduce the issues that are eternal to life in Christ Jesus, you get a reaction. Be ready to use this moment. The reaction could be acceptance or rejection. The Samaritan showed an accepting reaction when she said, “I know that Messiah (called Jesus) is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us” (John 4:25). Jesus used this moment to introduce himself as the messiah when he said, “I who speak to you, I am he”. Whatever the reaction is, introduce Jesus as the saviour, who he is and what he has come to do. This is the core of the message.
- Invite
Invite the person to Jesus Christ. This is an opportunity to invite the person to accept Jesus as his/her personal Lord and saviour. Be in the spirit and pray in your spirit.
You can ask, “do you want to give your life to Jesus Christ?” “Is there any reason why you cannot give your life to Christ today, tomorrow may be too late”. Lead the person to Christ on his/her own willingness to do so.
One of the first signs of a true acceptance of Jesus and salvation is that the person will be very eager to talk about his/her experience. The joy of salvation explodes like dynamite. The Samaritan woman ran into the city and told everyone in city what has happened to her. Come; see a man who told me everything I ever did, could this be the Christ, she said, (John 4:29). She succeeded in bring the Samaritans to Christ as they could not dispute her conviction. The Samaritans probably knew her case and life style very well. A soul that truly accepts the invitation to Christ will invite others.
- Incorporate
Help the person to become incorporated into the church of God and the body of faith so he/she can grow. If you are familiar with the area, you can suggest bible teaching and believing church to the person. If you not familiar with the area, advise the person to find a bible teaching and believing church and attend. Follow up is very important. Taking the young believer from the point of surrender to the point of spiritual maturity is very important. Advise the person to study the bible. In this, you have to ensure that the person has a bible. Get him/her one. Daily devotion and prayers is also very important.
If there is any time in the world history that humanity needs to hear the good news of Jesus and become saved, it is now.
I believe that these 8 steps will help you in your push to win a soul today. Share it with your church and evangelism team.
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