One of the most important aspects of ministry is helping people make decisions for Christ. To be a successful soul winner, we must learn how to make appeals to a person’s heart to follow Jesus. This involves both personal appeals in informal settings such as one-on-one conversations, as well as public appeals from the pulpit.
One of the biggest factors determining whether a minister (or a lay person) will be a successful soul-winner is if he or she is willing to boldly ask for decisions by making Spirit-led appeals.
Why is it necessary to make appeals? Because people don’t normally just make decisions out of the blue. Most people don’t wake up one morning and say, “I need to make a decision for Christ today.” People need some gentle prompting. They need someone to a make direct appeal that will plant, will awaken the conviction in their heart and mind.
When we make appeals, we have the opportunity to assist the Holy Spirit in His work of conviction. It may sound strange to think of us assisting the Holy Spirit. But think about it. God did not design for the Holy Spirit to do the work of conviction while the church (you and I) sits back and does nothing. The Holy Spirit uses people to reach other people. Yes, the Holy Spirit alone does the convicting, but by asking the right question, by making a loving but direct appeal, we can help that person hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and sense conviction in an even stronger way.
PERSONAL APPEALS
I remember a conversation with Mike. He had been attending church with his wife for nearly 30 years but had never been baptized. I did not know that. So, I asked him, “Have you ever thought of being baptized?” He indicated there were times he had. I asked him a direct question, “Mike, what’s stopping you from being baptized?” After a moment of silence, he said, “I don’t know.” So, I appealed to him to make that decision--- and he did. He was baptized a couple weeks later. But to get that decision, I had to make an appeal to his heart.
There are two phrases I learned early on in ministry that can be used to make powerful appeals. The first is: “Have you ever considered …?” Rather than telling a person what to do, you are simply asking a question that plants a seed in the person’s mind. Most people don’t like to be told what to do. They respond better if you ask them a sincere question that causes them to think on a deeper level.
For example, if I sense someone is at a point where they are experiencing conviction and should be thinking about baptism, I can ask them, “Have you ever considered being baptized?” This doesn’t come across as threatening or manipulative. I’m simply asking a question. But the question is really an appeal which can lead to deeper conversation. If they haven’t been thinking about it, guess what? They will be now simply because I asked the question. If they say “no”, they haven’t thought about it, I can gently ask them why? If they say “yes” they have thought about it, I can ask them if there’s something standing in their way and move the conversation towards dealing with the obstacle.
A second powerful appeal is the phrase: “I’d like to invite you to. . . .” (then you fill in the blank). Again, you are not telling them what to do, but you are giving them an invitation. For example, “I’d like to invite you to think about being baptized” or “I’d like to invite you to consider accepting Jesus as your Savior (or whatever the decision is).” When you give a simple but direct appeal, you are speaking to the heart and causing them to think about what is most important.
Of course, the way you ask the question or make the appeal is essential. If you come across as insincere, harsh, or self-righteous you will push them away. But if you ask with a gentle but bold spirit, with an attitude of love and concern, it will usually yield beautiful results. People can tell if they are just another number to you or if you truly care for them.
That’s why relationship is always the first step of soul winning. Because when you develop relationships with people, it develops trust. And when trust is developed, you can ask the bold question or make the direct appeal.
STEPS TO MAKING APPEALS
Let’s take a look at the process of making personal appeals.
1. Ascertain if the subject is clear to them. An important principle of soul-winning is this: people don’t make decisions on things they don’t understand. If there is something that is unclear or confusing to the person, they are not going to move forward. So, we need to ask if things are clear, and then give them opportunities to ask questions. When you know they understand, then it’s time to make an appeal.
2. Ascertain if there is an obstacle. You might ask the question, “Is there anything that stands in your way of following Jesus in this matter? (whatever the matter is). As long as there is an obstacle in their path or in their mind, perceived or real, they are not likely to make a decision. I need to find out what the obstacle is and help them with it. Once conviction is stronger than the obstacle, they will move forward.
This is where listening plays a key role. Listening is a huge part of leading people to make decisions. In fact, listening is even more important than talking. Listening helps me to know what questions to ask and how to better appeal to their heart. I need to understand what their obstacles are and what they’re thinking. The only way I can do that is if I learn to listen.
3. Invite them to make a choice. You might say, “Would you like to tell Jesus you are willing to follow Him in this matter?” Then let the conversation go deeper. If they say “yes”, seal the decision with a prayer of commitment together. Invite the person to pray in their own words and verbalize their decision for Jesus. Then you can follow up with a prayer of blessing re-enforcing their decision and asking the Holy Spirit to lead and guide them.
Be patient. If they are still not ready to say “yes”, encourage them to take some time to think and pray about it and let them know you will be praying for them and are willing to talk whenever they are ready. Continue to pray for them earnestly, and then appeal to them again in the near future as the Holy Spirit leads. Remember, a “no” right now does not mean “no” forever. A soul winner doesn’t give up. Neither does the Holy Spirit.
4. Invite them to take a step of action. The step of action may be a prayer of commitment as we mentioned above, or some other action relevant to the decision that was made. For example, a step of action for someone who has just said “yes” to baptism might be to set a date. For someone who has just chosen to surrender their finances to God might be to test the Lord for 3 months by returning a faithful tithe and seeing how God provides. For someone who has just chosen to stop drinking it might be to take the alcohol out of the house or to have an anointing service that God will heal them (after all alcoholism is a sickness). The point is this. Expressing a decision by taking a step of action strengthens the decision of the heart.
Some may wonder, “How do you do this in an age of social distancing? How do you make appeals if you are unable to have face to face dialogue?”
You do the same thing. You ask the same questions—except you do it by phone, email, or text. The process and principles really aren’t any different. You just have to do it through different means. I prefer a phone call because it allows for instantaneous response and mutual conversation, plus you can hear the tone of the voice. The tone of the voice is very important when it comes to making appeals. It’s too easy to misinterpret tone in a text or email.
If circumstances warranted, I can make an appeal through email, text, or some other private social media. If I knew someone was under conviction, there’s no reason I couldn’t send them a text or email saying, “Joe, I know a lot has been going through your mind lately. Have you ever considered being baptized?” If they responded in the affirmative, I can reply, “Is there anything stopping you from making that decision?” Or I could make an appointment with them to talk further on the phone. If it’s appropriate, I could invite them to meet together. It might be inside or outside, or at a park or restaurant. I may have to wear a mask or stand six feet apart, but in many cases we can still visit together. Just be safe and smart about it. Pandemics don’t have to keep us from being soul winners.
by David Klinedist
