“Who is Jesus Christ?,” and other Conversation Starters

Categories: Matthew

One of the most riveting dialogues in the Gospels comes in the closing verses of Matthew 22. It starts with people trying to trip Jesus with several tricky questions. In the dialogue, Jesus asks them: “What do you think about the Messiah {i.e., the Christ}? Whose son is he?” Their answer was revealing.

Today, too, a person shows a lot about who they are by how they answer the same question:  “Who is Jesus Christ?”

I realized this by sitting in on an ordination exam where a committee asked a candidate:

“Who is Jesus Christ to you?”

The answer: “He’s the reason I get up every morning; he’s the cream in my coffee.” Full stop. 

One person on the examining committee said, “That’s the best answer I’ve ever heard.”

Regardless of what I thought of the candidate’s answer, I agreed it was a great question. That started me thinking of other genuine things to ask to get to know someone quickly.  Here’s my list.

  1. Who is Jesus Christ.

2. Do you believe he is the only way of salvation?

3. What is a Christian?

4. How would you finish this sentence: “I am a Christian means that…”

5. In your own words, what is the Gospel?

6. How would you describe the Trinity?

7. How do you view the 66 books of the Bible as originally written?

8. How does a person come to know Jesus as Savior and Lord?

9. How do you understand the doctrine of grace?

10. How do you understand the relationship between good works and salvation?

11. Do you believe the moral precepts of the Old Testament law are still obligatory?

12. In your faith, what are the beliefs you hold on to and will not let go?

13. What essential but secondary issues over which you refuse to divide? That is to say, what views do you hold with conviction but also with charity towards those who differ?

14. What is your spiritual history? For instance, how did you come to know the Lord (your conversion) and where do you feel you are with him now?

15. Has God placed a particular call on your life?

Just some thoughts on how to get to know a brother or sister in the Lord and make a friend.

Now that’s something to Celebrate!

Author: Toby Larson

Toby Larson leads Celebration International. He is a husband and father of 5. Whether he's teaching, hitting tennis balls, sailing a Hobie, serving in Asia, skiing on water or snow, Toby is passionate about the love of God and the love of life. Read more ...