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Looking to have meaningful conversations about faith? Discover the 10 most effective questions a Christian can ask a non-believer. These carefully crafted questions promote empathy, challenge thinking, and pave the way for respectful and insightful dialogue. Read the article to learn the significance of these questions and how they can be applied in real-life interactions.

Engaging in meaningful conversations with non-believers can be an essential part of evangelism. Here are some effective questions that you might ask, along with the reasons why they might be helpful:

1. “What do you believe about God or a higher power?”

Why: This question helps identify the person’s current belief system or lack thereof, giving you an understanding of their background and a starting point for the discussion.

2. “Have you ever considered the claims of the Bible or the teachings of Jesus Christ?”

Why: This helps you gauge their familiarity with the Scriptures and the Christian faith, allowing you to provide information tailored to their level of knowledge.

3. “What do you think is the purpose of life?”

Why: This profound question can lead to discussions about meaning, fulfillment, and ultimately the Christian belief in a purpose-driven life.

4. “Have you ever experienced something that made you question or consider spiritual matters?”

Why: Personal experiences often shape beliefs, and understanding these can help you connect on an emotional level, building trust and empathy.

5. “How do you determine what is right and wrong?”

Why: This question can lead to a conversation about moral standards, which in turn can be related to the Biblical principles of morality.

6. “What are your thoughts on the afterlife?”

Why: This question can introduce the topics of heaven, hell, and eternal life, which are central to the Christian message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

7. “If Christianity were true, would you want to know?”

Why: This question challenges the person to consider their openness to truth, regardless of personal biases or preconceived notions.

8. “Can I share my personal experience and what Jesus means to me?”

Why: Sharing personal testimony can make the conversation more relatable and authentic, breaking down barriers and misconceptions.

9. “How do you find peace and contentment in life?”

Why: This question touches on universal human desires and needs, leading into a discussion about how faith in Jesus Christ can bring true peace and fulfillment. It allows you to share the Christian understanding of inner peace that transcends worldly circumstances.

10. “What obstacles or doubts keep you from considering or accepting the Christian faith?”

Why: By directly addressing doubts or obstacles, you show a willingness to engage with their concerns honestly. This can lead to a deeper conversation where you can provide Biblical answers, evidence, or personal testimonies to address those specific doubts. Understanding these barriers also helps in praying for the person and tailoring your approach to their unique situation.

Remember, these questions are not meant to corner or challenge someone aggressively. They are meant to provoke thoughtful dialogue and understanding. Being respectful, compassionate, and genuinely interested in the other person’s thoughts and feelings will create a more comfortable environment for fruitful conversation. Listening carefully and responding with grace can lead to a more meaningful exchange about the life-changing message of the Gospel.

Below is a hypothetical dialogue between a believer (B) and an unbeliever (U), where the believer attempts to engage thoughtfully and persuasively on a biblical subject.

B: “I noticed you were reading a book on the origin of the universe. That’s a fascinating subject! What do you think about the question of how everything began?”

U: “I’ve always believed in science, and I think the Big Bang explains how the universe started. I don’t see where God fits into that picture. How about you?”

B: “I also find the scientific explanations interesting, and I don’t think they necessarily contradict the existence of God. Have you ever considered that the very laws of physics and the fine-tuning of the universe might point to a Creator?”

U: “I’ve heard people mention that, but it seems like a leap to me. Why would the existence of laws and order necessarily mean there’s a God?”

B: “That’s a fair question. The complexity and order in the universe are astounding, and many find it hard to believe that it could all come about by chance. In the Bible, in Romans 1:20, it says, ‘For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.’ The idea is that the design and beauty in the world reflect the mind of a Designer. Would you be open to exploring this idea further?”

U: “I’m skeptical, but I’m curious about why you believe this. What else does the Bible say about creation and our existence?”

B: “I’m glad you’re interested! The Bible teaches that God created the heavens and the earth with intention and purpose, and that human beings are made in His image. This gives value and meaning to our lives. I’d love to explore some passages with you, like Genesis 1, and see what you think. We can also look at some scientific evidence that many believe points to a Creator.”

U: “Well, I’m willing to listen. I’ve never really looked at it from that perspective before.”

B: “Fantastic! I appreciate your open-mindedness, and I’m looking forward to exploring these ideas together. Whether we agree or not, I think it’ll be an enriching conversation for both of us.”

In this dialogue, the believer connects with the unbeliever’s interest in science and uses it as a pathway to discuss the biblical view of creation and the existence of God. By showing respect for the unbeliever’s perspective and engaging thoughtfully with their questions, the believer opens the door for a deeper exploration of faith and the intersection of science and religion.

How Might a Christian Might Respond to Ten Potential Conversation Stoppers to Keep the Conversation Going?

Responding to conversation stoppers requires wisdom, sensitivity, and respect for the individual’s feelings and beliefs. Here’s how a Christian might address ten potential conversation stoppers:

“I’m not interested.”
- Response: “That’s perfectly fine, and I respect your feelings. If you ever have any questions or just want to talk about something else, I’m here for you.”
“I’m not interested in Christianity.”
- Response: “I understand that Christianity might not be something you want to explore. I value our friendship, so let’s talk about something that interests you. And if you ever want to know more about my faith, just ask.”
“Christianity has a terrible history.”
- Response: “I acknowledge that there have been dark times in Christian history. However, I believe that the actions of individuals don’t define the core teachings of Jesus Christ. Would you like to know what Christianity means to me personally?”
“All religions are the same.”
- Response: “It’s common to see similarities among various faith traditions, but there are also significant differences. If you’re curious, I can share what makes Christianity unique to me.”
“Science has disproven religion.”
- Response: “I believe that science and faith can coexist and even complement each other. Some great scientists have also been people of faith. I’d be happy to discuss how I see them working together if you’re interested.”
“I’ve had bad experiences with Christians.”
- Response: “I’m truly sorry to hear that you’ve had those experiences. Please know that not all Christians act the same way, and I’d like our relationship to be a positive one, whether we discuss faith or not.”
“The Bible is full of contradictions.”
- Response: “It’s a common concern, and some passages can seem contradictory. If you ever want to explore any specific examples, I’d be glad to study them with you and discuss what I understand about them.”
“I believe in being a good person, not in following a religion.”
- Response: “Being a good person is certainly important. I find that my faith in Christ guides me in that. If you ever want to know how, I’m open to sharing, but I also respect your perspective.”
“I don’t believe in God.”
- Response: “I respect your belief. If you ever have any questions about why I believe in God, I’m here to talk. But I’m also interested in what you think about other topics, so let’s find common ground.”
“I’ve tried Christianity, and it didn’t work for me.”

Response: “I’m sorry to hear that it wasn’t a positive experience for you. People’s experiences with faith can be very personal and varied. If you want to share what happened, I’m here to listen, but I also respect your decision to move on.”

In each of these responses, the goal is to maintain respect and openness without being pushy or argumentative. Recognizing the validity of the other person’s feelings and offering to engage (without insisting) can leave the door open for future conversations while building trust and understanding.

Here’s how a Christian might respond to these specific statements, maintaining a respectful and thoughtful approach:

If Someone Says—

‘I don’t believe in the Bible’
- Response: “I understand that not everyone shares the same beliefs about the Bible. If you have any specific questions or concerns about why I believe in it, I’m open to discussing them, but I also respect your viewpoint.”
‘The Bible contradicts itself’
- Response: “Some passages can appear contradictory at first glance. If there are specific examples you have in mind, I’d be willing to explore them with you and explain how I understand them in their historical and literary context.”
‘Men wrote the Bible’
- Response: “Yes, human authors wrote the Bible, but Christians believe that they were inspired by God’s Spirit. This means that while their personalities and writing styles are evident, the message is consistent with God’s truth.”
‘Everyone has his own interpretation of the Bible’
- Response: “Interpretation can be complex, but there are consistent methods for understanding the Bible’s original meaning. I rely on the Historical-Grammatical method, which seeks to understand the text as the original audience would have. I’d be happy to discuss this approach if you’re interested.”
‘It is not practical for our day’
- Response: “I’ve found that many of the Bible’s principles are timeless and apply to our lives today. If you’re curious about how, I can share some examples that might be relevant to modern life.”
‘The Bible is a good book, but there is no such thing as absolute truth’
- Response: “I respect that perspective, but I believe that the Bible is more than just a good book; it’s a revelation of absolute truth from God. I understand that this belief may not be shared by everyone, but I’m open to discussing why I hold this view.”
‘I believe only the King James Version’
- Response: “The King James Version has had a significant impact, and many people appreciate its language. I often refer to theUASV, but I believe that various translations can faithfully convey the original message. If you have specific concerns about translations, I’m willing to explore them with you.”
‘There are a hundred different Bibles’
- Response: “There are indeed many translations of the Bible, each attempting to convey the original languages into modern speech. This doesn’t change the core message of the Bible, though. If you’re interested, I can explain how translations are made and why I use the UASV.”

In each response, the goal is to acknowledge the concern, provide insight into the Christian understanding of the issue, and offer to engage further if the person is interested, all while maintaining respect for their position.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).