Ending a Gospel Conversation 

Sensing the conversation is coming to an end, I will often say the following to the person with whom I am speaking, if they are not going to come to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, at that moment:

1. I will briefly summarise the law and the gospel one more time.
2. I will remind them of the certainty of death and judgement.
3. I will let the person know I care about them and that I will be praying for them.
4. I will encourage them to read the Gospel of John, so they can see that what I’m telling them is true.
5. I will give the person my business card and encourage them to contact me if they have any questions.
6. I will say good-bye with a friendly handshake (when appropriate).

And if the person with whom I am speaking seems broken over their sin, contrite, and seemingly desiring salvation through Jesus Christ:

1. I will, once again, call the person to repent and believe the gospel.
2. I will encourage the person to call out to Christ, seeking His forgiveness and asking Christ to save them.
3. I will ask the person if I can pray for them. I never lead a person in a prayer. I will pray the Lord saves them, by drawing them to genuine repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I will pray if it be the Lord’s will to save them that they grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. I pray the Lord will place them in a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, Christ-glorifying church. And I pray the Lord will use them to bring others to genuine repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
4. I will give the person my business card and encourage them to stay in touch.
5. I will give the person a Bible or a Gospel of John, if the person does not have a Bible.
6. Whenever possible, I will suggest good churches in their area. I will also point them to my “follow-up” blog, where they can find several church finders and other information for new believers.
7. I never declare a person saved. I never welcome them to the family of God and Christ’s Church. I never want to do or say anything that leaves the person with a false sense of assurance if they are not, in fact, soundly saved. After all, I do not know any person’s heart. I don’t know if the person’s outward appearance is an indication of genuine repentance and faith or nothing more than a worldly sorrow.