APPENDIX 2

SPIRITUAL CONVERSATIONS

Pastor-Patient Conversation

This is an example of a conversation inside a hospital room between a pastor and patient that moves from small talk and physical issues to a spiritual conversation.*

Please realize this is one of many possible scenarios, depending on the answers given by the individual. I pray this example will encourage you to see the value of thinking about these prospective opportunities before you find yourself in them.

Pastor: I have been enjoying our conversation, but can I put you on the spot and ask you a personal question?

Patient: Uh, yeah, I guess so.

Pastor: In light of your physical condition, have you considered what happens to each of us when we die?

Patient: Yes, I have begun to think about that more and more.

Pastor: Are you ready to die and stand before God?

Patient: I don’t know. I hope so.

Pastor: Why do you believe God would allow you into heaven?

Patient: I’ve lived a pretty good life. I’m a good person.

Pastor: Are you interested in hearing what the Bible says about this?

Patient: Yes, I think I would like to know.

Pastor: The Bible teaches that God is eternally holy, righteous, and perfect in all his ways (Psalm 145). God created the world, and it was good and perfect, including man, who was made in God’s image (Genesis 1 – 2). Yet when Adam and Eve sinned and rebelled against God’s commands, they brought sin into the world, which eternally separated them from God (Genesis 3). The consequence of sin in the world is that we as Adam’s descendents are now born into sin and are thus guilty of rebellion against God (Romans 5:12). Another consequence of this sinfulness is that God in his holy and righteous character must punish sin by death (Romans 6:23), and as a result we are described as deserving of his wrath and judgment (Ephesians 2:3).

However, the Bible also teaches that God is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4) and, in his amazing love for sinners, provided a way for us to not only escape his judgment but be eternally reconciled back to God (2 Corinthians 5:18). All this was accomplished by his own Son, Jesus, who was born a human just like us (Philippians 2:8). Although he lived a perfect, sinless life, he died on the cross. On the cross, God accomplished his reconciling purpose as his own Son bore the full wrath and judgment of God in our place (2 Corinthians 5:21). He rose from the dead three days later, conquering death and providing us life through him (Romans 4:25). Through Jesus, we not only have forgiveness of our sins (Colossians 1:14), but we also have his righteousness given to us so we can stand blameless before God (2 Corinthians 5:21). We receive this, not by anything we have done, but through faith in who Jesus is and the work he accomplished on the cross, shedding his own blood on our behalf (Romans 5:8 – 10). We must simply acknowledge our sin and rebellion against God, see that Jesus is the one who sufficiently paid our penalty for sin (Hebrews 10:12), repent (turn) from our sins, and by faith alone trust in Jesus (Mark 1:15). Have you ever heard this before? How does this strike you?

Patient: Well, I would like to think about what you have shared with me. Is there a way I can reach you if I have more questions?

Pastor: Sure. [Give mobile phone number.] Know that this is a very appropriate time in your life to consider these issues seriously. Do you mind if I pray with you?

Patient: No, I would like that.

Doctor-Patient Conversation

This is a more conversational example of how my father, a Christian physician who has practiced medicine for over thirty years, typically seeks to accomplish this same objective.

Doctor: John, can I put you on the spot?

Patient: I guess so.

Doctor: All of us will face death at some time. But your condition will require you to look at death sooner than some. When you die, do you think you will go to heaven?

Patient: I think so [or hope so]. (If this response is given, you know the patient either cannot verbalize the gospel or does not know it.)

Doctor: John, when you stand before the Lord and he says, “John, why should I let you into heaven?” — what would your response be?

Patient: Well, I’ve been a good person.

Doctor: John, let me give you a few issues to consider. If I were to ask you the characteristics of God, you would probably tell me that God is loving, holy, all-knowing, all-powerful, kind, and so forth. But the characteristic that gets you and me in trouble is that God is just.

Because of God’s perfect justice, neither you nor I can spend eternity with a just and holy God if we have ever committed sin. There is an old saying that rings all too true: “Good people don’t go to heaven; forgiven people go to heaven.” God in his great mercy has made a way for sinners like you and me to be forgiven. When Christ came into the world, he had two main purposes — first, to show us a glimpse of who God is, and second, to provide a way for sinners to be reconciled to God and to be forgiven by him.

When Jesus died on the cross, he bore the punishment for the sins of anyone who would confess their state as a sinner and accept Jesus by faith alone as their Savior and Lord. He paid the price for our sin. At the moment we turn from sin and trust Christ, our sins are forgiven, and God sees us as though we have the righteousness of Christ. This is the great exchange — my sinfulness for his righteousness.

So the answer to the question about why the Lord should let you into heaven has nothing to do with what we do. It has everything to do with what Jesus did for us if we have accepted his offer of forgiveness. Has there ever been a time in your life when you confessed your sins and trusted in Jesus?

Patient: (One possible response) Yes, I have.

Doctor: Can you tell me about it? (Take it from here.)

Patient: (Another possible response) No, there has not.

Doctor: It is not my intention to coerce you into a decision. If you want, I will help you in the process of accepting Christ. If you would like to ponder these things further, you should feel free to do so.

(If you determine that the patient is a Christian, follow up as appropriate.)

Doctor: John, you’ve probably known all that I have told you but were just unable to verbalize these truths in a particular way. When I first asked you about going to heaven, you had an “I hope so” response. It is so very important for you as a Christian to know that you are guaranteed you will go to heaven when you die. That assurance will be a foundational truth you will want to hold on to as your condition progresses. Read the first eleven verses of Ephesians 1 and rest in the assurance that the Lord Jesus, through the apostle Paul, gives us. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to contact me.

* A helpful resource for thinking more deeply about this issue is Don Whitney, “Ten Questions to Ask to Turn a Conversation Toward the Gospel,” http://biblicalspirituality.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Ten-questions-to-ask.pdf (accessed October 21, 2013).