Conversational Evangelism: Connecting with People to Share Jesus

by David Geisler, Norman L. Geisler

Witnessing used to involve laying out the truth and guiding a person to understand and accept it. But the awareness of basic Christian principles has changed and so have the needs of pre-believers. With a passion for people, authors David and Norman Geisler share an engaging, conversational approach to evangelism as they This refreshing, practical resource is ideal for churches and individuals. Readers will discover how God uses their everyday encounters for great things when they switch from trying to witness effectively to effectively being a witness through communication and compassion.

Genres: Christian, Evangelism, Christianity, Theology, Nonfiction, Communication, Christian Non Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2009

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t like this book on evangelism as much as Tactics, it wasn’t very well organized. But I did appreciate all the examples of questions to ask. “ Every day we can help our nonbelieving friends take one step closer to Jesus Christ by what we say and how we live.”

[Nathan Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read a book on evangelism every year. This particular read is especially practical as it relates to "pre-evangelism." David and Norman Geisler walk through insights for uncovering one's worldview, challenging presuppositions, and ultimately, pointing him/ her to Jesus (the ultimate goal). Helpful and practical.

[Tyler Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good principles with a few helpful explanations. Chapter 9 was worth the whole read. A few qualms - not a big fan of the writing style, a few issues with some of the anecdotes - but overall a good resource for someone who wants a guide on sharing the gospel through conversation.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot of repetition in this book. Read it and you will see what I mean. Other than that, this is another resource to help people in the process of effective evangelism.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's a timely read for Christians in America and those serving abroad. It begins with the defense of why we need to practice pre-evangelism because we are dealing with people who are increasingly indifferent, skeptical, or even hostile. The writers then moved to the process of pre-evangelism which includes listening, questioning, uncovering barriers, and building a plan of action to share the gospel. Clear examples and applications are given for each step. They end with in-depth chapters on answering objections and asking questions which are essential if we're really going to have productive dialogue. The final chapter reminds us why we need to do it and warns us against having a faith that saves us but does nothing for anyone else. At the end are some very useful appendices with questions to ask, diagrams, and a good list of other resources. Each chapter has times of reflection and application which would make it useful for a small group study as well.

[Jack Wilkie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tried to read it twice and couldn’t get through it. Feels like it takes far too many words to say basic ideas, then repeats them. Not that the content is wrong. But Koukl’s “Tactics” has basically the same ideas presented in a better way.

[Jennifer Putney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounding up to a 4 from a 3.5.
A wise book full of truthful insights and practical tips. I just felt like it somehow made things more complicated than they needed to be, and that it ran a little too long.

[Abby Tooley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Geislers provide valuable, practical tips for sharing the Gospel through everyday conversations. The book emphasizes the importance of conversational skills and offers clear strategies to engage others in spiritual discussions. While I found the advice helpful, it can feel a bit overwhelming if you try to apply all the steps in a single conversation. Practice and discernment is key, and it’s important to remember that the approach doesn’t have to be followed rigidly—it’s a guide, not a strict formula. Overall, I rated it 4 stars for its practical insights and encouraging message for Gospel-sharing, but it’s definitely something you’ll need to adapt and grow into with time.

[Rand Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure how much Norm Geisler had to do with this book. but it seems like his son David didn't fall too far from the tree. This would make a great small group read. Maybe 8 to 10 weeks. Each chapter has good discussion questions. A great bibliography is included as is an appendix of several strategies and questions for reaching different segments of unbelieving population. Also included is a great seven or eight page outline summary of the entire book. very well put together.

[Jaxon Harden · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept behind the book was great and many of the convictions the author fought for hit home, but it often felt repetitive and unorganized to the point where I lost focused at times of what the end goal was. The ideas in this book could have been heavily condensed and better organized for better results and takeaways, but it still offered valuable lessons on evangelizing in a postmodern society.

[Elizabeth Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was well done and has a lot of good ideas to implement. It would be a good one to pair with Gregory Koukl's book tactics, as well as J Warner Wallace's Cold-Case Christianity.

Evangelism is every day and in every way helping your nonbelieving friends to take one step closer to Jesus Christ.
David Geisler pg 28

[Ray Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geisler and his son have written a book is that is relevant and current. The described skills and content are fantastic. If you want to deepen your conversation with friends and preserve and advance your friendship, this book will help you in a deep and thorough manner.

[Asha Nanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

boring

[Caleb Chan]

Evan's rec

[Zac Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of how to break down barriers in someone's resistance to the Gospel message by asking questions and using conversation

[David Ochabski · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Geisler received a Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary and Doctor of Ministry, focusing on apologetics, from Southern Evangelical Seminary. Norman Geisler received his Ph.D. in philosophy from Loyola University and founded a number of evangelical organizations, including The Evangelical Philosophical Society, the International Society of Christian Apologetics, Veritas Evangelical Seminary, Southern Evangelical Seminary, and was the primary architect of the Chicago Statement of Inerrancy. They state that the book is an attempt to make spiritual dialogue a pleasant experience for the average Christian living in a post-Christian world. The book is logically ordered, focused on what the authors call “pre-evangelism” methods and practice, but they maintain that struggles in evangelism are due to maturity and not method. Each chapter is written dialogically, including helpful illustrations, reflection questions, and fill-in application sections. Appendices at the end help to chart out the entire methodology. This book is recommended to church ministers, evangelists, and laity alike. As it relates to barriers to faith, this book helps the church gain access to others’ barriers on an individual level.

Reviewed for Eleutheria, Liberty divinity journal (Volume 5, Issue 2).

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really appreciated many of the principles for evangelism represented in this book. The most helpful for me was the idea of pre-evangelism: something I have felt was missing without realizing it, and had never heard it expressed as a crucial part of evangelism for our modern western culture. More than anything, reading this has helped me grow in confidence in engaging with unbelievers at all - starting with asking questions, and listening. I am more convinced now that beginning there is most often an essential platform for sharing the gospel in our age in the West.

Many have talked about the formulaic delivery of the concepts in this book as being hindering. This was difficult for me too. I appreciated that the authors addressed this issue with the book many times, and just encouraged the readers to start small, and to not let that aspect keep them from growing through applying the principles.

[Neil And · Rating 5 out of 5]

Updated strategy for dealing with Postmodern obstacles to the Gospel

This is the perfect resource for Christian leaders to help their organizations face the daunting challenge of the postmodern rejection of truth. The book challenges believe verse two activate questions, illustrations and stories in a deliberate effort to do pre-evangelism in order to prepare the head and the heart of those who are antagonistic toward Christ. Even though many unbelievers don’t understand the underlying reason(s) why they themselves may be rejecting the truth, this thoughtful approach provides tools for the believer to navigate A path to bring them to the saving truth of Jesus Christ. The book shows the absolute necessity and practical application of Apologetics in post modern personal evangelism.

[Gregory Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Norman Geisler is a titan in the realm of Christian Theology and apologetics. He and his son Dr. David Geisler have written a book that is accessible and necessary to engaging our culture and presenting the Gospel in a way that is at once engaging but also relevant. With a keen mind towards being relational, authors have put together not so much a plan as an approach to share our faith with those who may be hostile, ignorant, or indifferent to who Jesus is and how he can transform a person's life. I highly recommend this book not only for those who feel a calling to evangelism, but to anyone who might have some trepidation to sharing their faith with those who might not necessarily be receptive to it.

[Vivien Naomi Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking for a manual that teaches you what to say or do, this is probably not the one. But it does give you an idea of the changing needs of this world and how as Christians you should respond, not in a way that makes you sound like you want to profit from others' salvation or boost your own ego, but really be a symbol of love and kindness to those around you.

And to see your own little role in the entire plan of salvation through evangelism.

[Luke Schmeltzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in a pastors book club. I normally wouldn’t pick an evangelism book by a Dispensational Arminian Evidentialist, but I didn’t disagree as much as I anticipated. Some helpful anecdotes about engaging in critical but careful conversation, but the book could have been half as long and just as good.

[David Carlson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the idea of listening before speaking and the recognition that we are not in the same culture as 40 years ago. It is rather adversarial in places or perhaps manipulative when it talks about a strategy to work against non believers.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I learned a lot about how to ask questions and not pounce on what I thought was the answer without asking more questions to understand underlying concerns.

The advice is applicable to many areas of life and has made me a better listener as well.

[Emil Bredahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutly amazing book
Very very practical and down to earth.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great introduction to a much needed concept "pre evangelism. "If sowing a seed is evangelism, pre-evangelism is tilling the dirt"

[Hong Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent guide on how to reach the gospel effectively to people from all walks of life. Many nuggets of wisdom inside, and most importantly they are all founded solidly on biblical truths.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helps change the perspective In Which we help others think about and desire God

[Nancy E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely not a light read.

[Tauno]

https://books.google.ee/books/about/C...

[Cornelia Moll · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is structured in an understandable and logical manner, making it easy to understand the practical approach of conversational evangelism. Each chapter begins with a concrete example of what is going to be discussed, which helps the reader to understand how the theory that was discussed could probably play out in everyday life. Every chapter typically ends with a short conclusion and reflection intended to help the reader absorb what was discussed, followed by questions that challenges the reader to apply and practice what has been taught.

The atmosphere in the book is a good reflection of the title of the book, as the book is written in an uncomplicated, practical and conversational manner. It is an easy book to understand, with many practical exercises that can help the reader to become more proficient in conversational evangelism.

The explanation of the methodology as well as the biblical references to back it up, helps the reader to grasp the effectiveness of conversational apologetics. As such, the book will be useful for the for anybody who wants to learn more about apologetics and using it as a tool for evangelism.