Navigating Gospel Conversations
Episode Overview
In this episode, Cory Ozbun and Cory McElvain dive into one of the most critical tools for disciple-makers: Gospel Conversations. How do you move conversations from casual to meaningful to spiritual? The Corys introduce the F.R.O.G. framework (Friends, Recreation, Occupation, Goals) to help you intentionally navigate relational evangelism without making it weird.
Key Takeaways:
Why Gospel Conversations Matter
Evangelism doesn’t require flashy methods—it’s about loving people well through intentional, relational conversations.
Jesus modeled this: He asked 307 questions, was asked 183, and gave direct answers to only 3. Questions show care, curiosity, and connection.
The F.R.O.G. Framework
A simple way to start and deepen conversations:F – Friends and Family: Casual → "Tell me about your family" | Meaningful → "Did your family have any religious background?"
R – Recreation: Casual → "What do you do for fun?" | Meaningful → "What brings you joy or fulfillment?"
O – Occupation: Casual → "What do you do for work/school?" | Meaningful → "Is there something meaningful about your work?"
G – Goals and Gifts: Casual → "What are your goals?" | Spiritual → "How does faith play into your dreams?"
Keys to Healthy Conversations
Initiation: Be the one to start. Names matter; knowing someone’s name is an act of love.
Curiosity: Ask good questions and really listen.
Pace Yourself: Spiritual conversations don’t need to "close the deal" immediately—relationships take time.
Practical Tools for Conversations
15-Second Stories: Share short, relatable stories of how God has shown up in your life. Vulnerability disarms people and shows the power of God in brokenness.
Natural Invitations: When someone shows spiritual interest, invite them to discover more about Jesus in a simple, non-awkward way. Examples:
“I’d love to talk more about that with you. Want to read a story about it together?”
“What do you think about exploring some of Jesus’ teachings together sometime?”
Final Encouragement
Relational evangelism requires intentionality and patience. Trust and transparency are key.
Spiritual conversations and Discovery Bible Study (DBS) go hand-in-hand to help people experience Jesus naturally.
Why This Matters:
Gospel conversations are simple but powerful tools to build trust, show love, and create opportunities for people to discover Jesus. By using the F.R.O.G. tool and sharing short stories of God’s work in your life, you can engage meaningfully with others on their spiritual journey.
🔗 Explore the tools mentioned in this episode at kcunderground.org/toolkit.
