Recently I saw one of our ministry’s reported numbers in a different light.

You see, at Groundwire, we are focused and determined to introduce as many people to Jesus as possible. We want to see young men and women respond to a virtual altar call (everything we do is online) and walk that virtual aisle. Although there are processes that help us get in front of those who are lost, isolated, lonely and desperately in need of Jesus, I tend to focus on the bottom of the funnel. I pay most attention to how many are lifting their hands acknowledging that they need Jesus.

This time, though, as I was reviewing our numbers, I was struck by the top of the funnel. I saw that the commercials we produce to “interrupt” the lives of those living without Jesus were seen 216,432,661 times last year. Instead of that being an empty number, the Holy Spirit reminded me that we had whispered “Jesus Cares about what you are going through” more than 216 million times.

That visual grabbed my attention.

Dare to Speak Up

Our commercials invaded dorm rooms of struggle and whispered, “You aren’t alone, Jesus Cares.” They snuck into coffee shops where people were overwhelmed and shared, “It is going to be OK, Jesus Cares.” They found people on public transportation, traveling to deal with crises, and others who were quarantined with their misery and simply said, “Don’t give up, Jesus is with you.”

As I said, each one of those interactions was done from behind a keyboard. It’s a whole different ballgame in your relationships and everyday encounters getting to a place where you can reveal such profound truths to those who need to hear them. We don’t have algorithms, after all, to prompt our flesh-and-blood discussions. So the best way to put yourself into a position to offer life-changing answers is to ask the right questions.

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As we have trained thousands to engage with lost and hurting people online (through JesusCares.com) there are three questions we have discovered that segue nicely into Gospel conversations that allow the reality of Jesus’ love to shine through.

Start Here

1. What do you believe God sees when He looks at you?

Most don’t believe they are lovable. They believe they have disappointed God and believe He doesn’t want anything to do with them.

This question gives you the opportunity to share truth/hope. “God loves you deeply and wants great things for you. You were fearfully and wonderfully made. You are the crown of His creation. He loves you so much that He made a way so He can be close to you.”

2. Do you have any spiritual beliefs that give you hope?

Most people don’t have any foundation or beliefs that brings them peace.

Most non-Christians either have nothing or they rely on something temporary. Once they voice that it gives opportunity to follow with, “Can I tell you where my peace and hope comes from? Because I have a relationship with Jesus, I am never alone. He has good plans for me, and He always sees me through. This relationship is what I lean on when things are difficult.”

3. What do you think it takes to be close to God?

The majority of people long to be close to God, but they don’t know how. Most will either say they have no clue, or they will share a superficial answer that is not rooted in truth.

Offer Hope

“I know you want to be close to God, and the amazing thing is He wants to be close to you. He wants you to hear His whispers and feel His presence, but there is a gap, and unless you deal with it you won’t ever be as close as you want to be. Can I share with you what causes that divide and the only way to ever overcome it?”

The best evangelists are those who are engaged and interested. Those who ask great questions and listen well. We have had great success with these questions and pray that they will lead to some great Gospel conversations for you as well.

Sean Dunn is founder and president of Groundwire, a global ministry with the mission to lead every youth and young adult into a personal relationship with Jesus by leveraging current media channels to connect with them wherever they are. For more information, visit www.groundwire.net