How can we check whether someone is ready to become a Christian and how can we lead them in a prayer of commitment if they are?
Scripture
Read the following Scripture about how someone is saved.
Romans 10:9-15 (Paul explains how someone gets saved)
What does it say someone must do to receive God’s salvation in Christ?
Story
A new believer from one of our Missional Communities was sharing with his neighbour about the difference his new found faith in Christ was making to his life. This neighbour had already seen the difference for himself, particularly the new levels of peace that he could see his friend experiencing, where once there had been tremendous fear and anxiety. One day this neighbour said that he too would like to get baptised. He was introduced to another Missional Community member and in the course of that conversation, they asked him, ‘Do you believe that Jesus came from heaven, lived, died on the cross and rose again from the dead three days later?’ The neighbour said, ‘Yes, I do believe that.’ Then the leader asked him, ‘And have you made Jesus king of your life?’, to which he replied, ‘I’ve never done that’. The neighbour said he was up for making that step and it was actually the new believer who then led him in a prayer of committing his life to following Jesus and living with him as Lord. The neighbour had tears in his eyes as he surrendered his life to Christ and immediately felt at peace with God.
What has been your experience of leading someone else to Christ?
Shape
The following shape (which you may recognize as the middle 3 shapes from the Linear Testimony Tool, in the Your Story study), can be helpful in remembering 3 key things in leading someone to receive Christ.
Romans 10:9-13 tells us that if someone believes in their heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and makes Jesus Lord (Ruler or King) of their lives, then they will be saved, i.e. receive all the full benefits of what Christ bought for them on the cross.
Belief in Jesus’ resurrection is the first thing required to be saved. Asking someone the question ‘Do you believe that Jesus came from heaven, lived, died on the cross and rose again from the dead three days later?’ is a good way to check if they have this faith yet. If they answer ‘No’ then there is no point going any further. Keep praying for them, sharing testimony and opening up the Scriptures with them. Ask them this question again at a later date.
Making Jesus King is the second key requirement to receiving salvation. Just because someone believes in the resurrection doesn’t mean they are saved. In fact, the devil himself believes in the resurrection, but he is still living as God’s enemy! Asking someone ‘Have you ever made Jesus king of your life?’ is a great question at this point. When leading people to Christ you will often find that people have come to believe in Jesus’ resurrection, but have not yet make him king. We can therefore help people to make this step and turn to Christ by making a prayer of commitment.
Turning to Christ by praying a prayer of commitment helps them affirm their belief in Jesus’ resurrection and make him king of their lives, thus leading them to receive salvation. People are often not familiar with praying out loud and so can find it helpful to repeat the words of another believer. It is good to encourage the person to pray from their heart, to only repeat the words if they mean them, and to be free to use their own words if they wish. There is no set prayer, it just needs to include the two key things of affirming their belief in Jesus’ resurrection and a decision of the will to make him king of their lives. Here is an example:
‘Dear Lord Jesus, I’m sorry for the way I’ve been living my life; going against you and your ways. Thank you for dying on the cross for me so that I can be forgiven. Thank you for rising again from the dead so that I can have a new life with you. I acknowledge that you are Lord and I choose to accept you as king and ruler of my life. Help me and give me power to live for you for the rest of my days. Thank you Jesus. Amen.’
Once someone has made this step of faith and made this commitment, you can begin preparing them for baptism. You can use the study on Water Baptism in this App to help you.
How do you feel about asking People of Peace the questions: ‘Do you believe that Jesus came from heaven, lived, died on the cross and rose again from the dead three days later?’ and ‘Have you ever made Jesus king of your life?’
So What?
Within your Missional Community, get into pairs and role-play a conversation, with one of you being the Christian and the other being someone who is not yet a follow of Christ. Practice sharing your conversion story with them and then ask them the questions, ‘Do you believe that Jesus came from heaven, lived, died on the cross and rose again from the dead three days later?’ , ‘Have you ever made Jesus king of your life?’ and practice leading them in a prayer of commitment.
Role playing may feel a bit awkward at first but it will help prepare you for doing it in real life.
In groups of 3-4 people, think about People of Peace who you have been sharing your faith with and pray for opportunity and courage to ask them these questions and seek to lead them in a prayer of commitment, if they are ready.
Grow Further
Memory Verse:
‘If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.’
Other Bible passages:
Other resources:
Video: A Testimony about Leading Someone to Salvation in Christ
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