People sharing faith: Spiritual conversation openers

[James Nored]

In order to be able to share our faith, we have to be able to talk about our faith. Ironically, however, the best way to share our faith is to ask others about their faith and spiritual journey--and listen! Jesus was a master at this, as shown in his conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4.

I found the following spiritual conversation starter questions at http://home.snu.edu/~HCULBERT/assess.htm. See what you think!

People sharing faith: Spiritual conversation openers
General issues
What gives most meaning to your life?
What, or who, are your sources of strength in your day-to-day living?
When you have problems or crises, how do you manage to get through them?
Is religion or God important to you?
In what ways?
If not, is there any particular reason why not?
Wouldn't you like to have faith in something? [ follow-up material ]

Relationship questions
Does God (or a Higher Power) seem personal to you?
Do you feel close to or far away from God?
What do you imagine that God is like?
Can you point to things that God has done for you?
How is God working in your life right now?
Are you comfortable with what you understand to be God's guidelines and laws for living?
Do you feel there are barriers of some type separating you from God?
Have you ever been mad or upset with God?
Have you ever done something for which you feel God could not forgive you?
Do you understand the way to forgiveness and what it means?
Do you think God has a plan for each person's life?
What would it take for you to live up to what God expects of you?

Devotional life and practice
What kinds of religious material do you like to read?
What are your favorite authors, writings?
Do you like religious music? Kinds? Favorites?
Have you read much of the Bible?
Do you understand the Bible when you read it?
Does Bible reading help in living? How?
Is prayer a meaningful part of your devotional life?
Do you feel there is any spiritual growth going on right now in your life?

The Church
Are you involved in a church?
What you get out of being involved in a church?
Which teachings of your church resonate the most with you?
Do you personally know anyone who is the pastor of a church?
Are you a member of an accountability or nurturing group in your church?

Religion and illness, dying and death
Has being ill made any difference in your thinking or feeling about God or your religious faith?
How has being ill affected your devotional life?
When you are ill, do you ever have feelings that God is punishing you or that it is His will for you to be sick?
How do you feel about suffering?
Do you trust God with your future?

Which of these questions really stands out to you as being an effective way of engaging people in spiritual conversation? What tips do you have for engaging people in spiritual conversations? What stories can you share with us?