Jesus for the Curious: The Momentum We Seek

Hosting Conversations

Jesus dignified people’s questions—and often began His ministry by asking His own. Throughout the gospels, His conversations reveal a divine pattern of truth wrapped in grace. 

• He met Nicodemus under the cover of night, confronting religious curiosity with spiritual reality: “…you must be born again” (John 3:7). 
• He met the Samaritan woman in the heat of the day, moving from the reality of her physical thirst to the truth about living water, exposing her sin, yet restoring dignity (John 4:7–26). 
• Jesus walked alongside two disillusioned disciples on the Emmaus road, listening to their disappointment before opening the Scriptures and revealing Himself to them as He broke bread (Luke 24:13–35). 

In each encounter, Jesus demonstrated an intentional missional posture—clarity without coercion, conviction without condemnation, and compassion without compromise. Should we not embrace a similar posture? 

Evangelism modelled after Jesus, then, is not a contest of arguments but a communion of hearts.

His questions invited reflection (“Who do you say that I am?” Matt 16:15-16), His stories invited imagination (“Which of these was a neighbour?” Luke 10:36-37), and His presence invited transformation (John 4:28-29, 39). Evangelism modelled after Jesus, then, is not a contest of arguments but a communion of hearts. It is truth on a journey with love—conversational, courageous, and profoundly incarnational. We have so much to learn from Jesus!

For much of modern history, evangelism training has taught us to speak like preachers—structured, confident, persuasive, and often one-directional (perhaps using alliteration or an evangelism tool — which is not bad). Yet in an age marked by ever-increasing fragmentation, suspicion, and religious fatigue, this approach often lands flat. Sam Chan calls us to pivot: from proclamation as performance to proclamation as participation (my emphasis!). We move from delivering speeches to cultivating sacred dialogue. “Counsellors don’t ‘win’ a conversation; they host it.”¹

The more we examine the Bible, the more we discover that conversational evangelism is not a modern innovation but a biblical rediscovery of what so many ordinary followers of Jesus modelled. While proclamation remains central to Christian witness, the Bible repeatedly portrays the advance of the gospel through dialogue, questions, reasoning, hospitality, story, and Spirit-led encounters.

 Jesus Himself often engaged individuals before He addressed crowds, and the early church followed a similar pattern. Long before evangelism became associated with platforms and microphones, it took place around tables, on roadsides, in marketplaces, and in homes. 

Let’s explore some passages that best exemplify this before we pivot to practical aspects of how this may be applied.

Biblical Conversations in Acts: Evangelism as Dialogue

The Book of Acts is not merely a record of sermons—it is a study in Spirit-led interactions that transformed lives and impacted towns, cities, and families with the gospel. The model of Jesus in preaching to crowds and being led to the ‘one’ continued to shape their community and its missional approach. 

I am always struck by the phrase in Acts 2:47 that describes the goodwill that the followers of Jesus were shown: “…praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people…”.  

The apostles rarely proclaimed without also reasoning, responding, and engaging their hearers’ questions. Evangelism was dialogical long before it was homiletical.

Let’s explore a sampling of early interactions in the corpus of Acts.

1. Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26–40)

This encounter begins not with a message but with a simple question: “Do you understand what you are reading?” (v 30)

Philip does not impose an answer; he enters the eunuch’s question and journeys with him through Scripture. The Spirit’s prompting and Philip’s curiosity converge in divine revelation—

“Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” (v 35).

This moment models the listening evangelist: one who begins where the seeker is, not where the evangelist wishes to start.

2. Paul and the Athenians (Acts 17:16–34)

Paul’s encounter at the Areopagus is often described as a masterclass in contextual preaching—but at its heart, it is an exercise in conversational apologetics. 

The dialogue begins earlier, as Paul reasons “in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there” (v 17). His gospel engagement flows naturally into the public square—the marketplace of ideas—where philosophers debated the meaning of life and truth.

“Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, ‘May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?’” (v 19).

Paul begins his response not with accusation but with affirmation:

“I see that in every way you are very religious.” (v 22) He builds common ground from their altar “to an unknown god”, meeting curiosity with truth. By quoting their poets and engaging their questions, Paul demonstrates incarnational and contextual ministry—entering Athens’ intellectual world not to condemn it, but to reinterpret its longings in light of the risen Christ.

This scene reminds us that evangelism thrives when curiosity is dignified rather than dismissed. Some mocked Paul’s message, yet others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject” (v 32), and still others believed (v 34). The Areopagus interaction reveals that genuine conversations about Jesus can open doors even in places where truth seems least welcome.

Paul’s model here shows that faithful evangelism is neither retreat nor confrontation—it is a conversation guided by the Spirit, rooted in cultural understanding, and aimed at heart transformation for those who are able to comprehend.

3. Peter and Cornelius (Acts 10:1–48)

This encounter is one of my favourites in the book of Acts, as it showcases how ministry can be a two-way street, and that God is often at work in the hearts, minds, and lives of people long before we show up. Before Peter ever speaks, he listens to Cornelius’s story. The encounter is mutual—Peter learns as much as he teaches. 

Evangelism here is not one-way proclamation but a shared discovery of the breadth of God’s grace.

God orchestrates a two-way revelation: one through vision, the other through hospitality. Peter’s realisation— “I now realise how true it is that God does not show favouritism.” (v 34)—arises through conversation across difference. Evangelism here is not one-way proclamation but a shared discovery of the breadth of God’s grace, and a movement of evangelism that reaches the edges and fringes of society.

4. Paul and the Philippian Jailer (Acts 16:25–34)

Even in crisis, Paul’s evangelism begins with personal presence and real compassion, not just declaration. The jailer’s anguished question: “What must I do to be saved?” (v 30) opens the way for the gospel to be extended to entire households. Paul and Silas reply not with a teaching on salvation but a relational invitation: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” (v 31) Faith is born in the space between a human cry and a divine response.

From Monologue to Mutual Discovery

Classic gospel proclamation tends to start with our answers to people’s actual (and sometimes perceived) questions; conversational evangelism begins with questions and shared direct revelation shaped by the interaction itself. The theological ground for this lies in the incarnation itself: God’s Word did not shout from heaven but dwelt among us (John 1:14). 

I love how the Gospel of Matthew is bookended by the concept of ‘God with us’; In Matt 1:23 Matthew speaks of Jesus being Emmanuel, and in Matt 28:19-20 he speaks of the promise “…I will be with you always…” as an important theological and practically encouraging statement. Ultimately, evangelistic dialogue reflects the highly relational nature of the Triune God—Father, Son, and Spirit — eternally communicating in love, desiring a relationship with humanity; dwelling within them through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. 

To converse with people, then, is to replicate the communicative, ‘dwelling’ heart of God. Every divine dialogue in Scripture—from God’s call in Eden to Christ’s conversations in the gospels—reveals a missionary God who speaks to be known and seeks people out to be loved and worshipped.

Rediscovering the Conversational Gospel

The book of Acts does more than recount the Church’s beginnings—it provides a blueprint for ours. From Philip’s roadside dialogue to Paul’s engagement on the Areopagus, we see that gospel proclamation is not a relic of ancient history but a living rhythm for contemporary mission and praxis.

 Gospel proclamation is not a relic of ancient history but a living rhythm for contemporary mission and praxis.

Each encounter in Acts—rooted in listening, reasoning, and Spirit-led response—reminds us that truth travels best through relationship, and the book of Acts is a story of the people of God on the mission of God.

In our day, this same rhythm must shape our witness. 

• Clarity keeps the message Christ-centred and grace-rich. 
• Curiosity listens for people’s longings and loyalties—the hidden hungers of the heart that often precede belief.

Evangelism in a skeptical age is not about louder proclamation but about wiser participation: we are heralds who can hold a conversation.²

Recent global insights reveal both challenge and opportunity for this kind of mission. In a Mentimeter poll conducted for this global call across several continents, participants described how evangelism is perceived in their contexts: 60 per cent saw it as ‘good news’ or ‘hopeful,’ while others viewed it as ‘irrelevant,’ ‘offensive,’ or ‘confusing.’³ These results expose a tension familiar to missiology: while the message of Christ remains timeless, the methods of His messengers often need translation.

In short, the soil is softer than we think; it is often the sower who hesitates.

Encouragingly, nearly three-quarters (73%) of respondents said people in their regions are either ‘highly curious’ or ‘curious but cautious’ toward Christianity. Only a small minority were described as ‘resistant’ or ‘hostile.’⁴ This mirrors findings from Barna’s Spiritually Open study (2023), which notes that spiritual curiosity is increasing even among the religiously unaffiliated.⁵

In short, the soil is softer than we think; it is often the sower who hesitates.

Respondents identified recurring barriers to gospel conversations:

• The perception that Christianity is outdated, intolerant, or a ‘Western’ faith disconnected from local identity;
• The relentless pace and distraction of digital life, which leaves little space for reflection;
• Misinformation about Scripture and what the gospel truly teaches;
• Deep personal pain and skepticism, often tied to past religious experiences.⁶

These realities are not signs of failure but reminders of formation. The church is called not to just lament and reject the culture around us but also to listen to it—discerning its questions and responding with integrity and hope that is only rooted in the gospel. As Lesslie Newbigin argued, evangelism is most credible when it arises from a community that embodies the good news it proclaims.⁷

Within this global context, four consistent doorways of momentum emerge—relational spaces where spiritual curiosity often blossoms into meaningful conversation.

Four Doorways Where Conversations Flourish

1. Everyday Friendships — Plausibility grows with proximity.

Faith becomes more credible when witnessed up close. Evangelism travels best along relational trust, not institutional reach alone.

Practice: map five relationships, pray by name, and take one intentional step weekly.

2. Acts of Service — Love makes room for words.

The credibility of the message depends on the compassion of the messenger.
Practice: serve first, then name the Source — “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

3. Digital Presence — Pastoral presence in a scrolling world.

The mission field is now as close as our phones. Consistent, Christlike communication online is modern hospitality.

Practice: send short prayer notes, respond promptly, share Scripture wisely.

4. Crisis & Transition — Pain and change open doors.

Moments of loss or disruption often create sacred space for truth.

Practice: ask, “How are you really doing?” — listen, offer prayer, and follow up with compassion.

From Conversation to Movement

When asked which practice most effectively turns curiosity into conversation, participants ranked ‘asking good questions’ first, followed by ‘sharing personal story, living out Christlike love’, and ‘pointing to Scripture.’ ⁸ The pattern is telling: curiosity opens the door, and personal story turns the key.

Momentum, then, is not generated by programs but by people—by ordinary believers who embody grace and truth in everyday spaces. 

The Spirit moves where the church is both bold and humble, truthful and tender. We gain momentum when our clarity about Christ is matched by our curiosity about those he came to save.

Conclusion

If The Mission We Are On reminds us that evangelism is participation in the missio Dei, then The Momentum We Seek calls us to discern how that divine movement continues through us today. Momentum is not measured in numbers but in nearness—when the church moves closer to the questions, hopes, and heartaches of the world God loves. It is born not of ambition but of alignment, as the Spirit propels ordinary believers into ordinary spaces with extraordinary grace—to reach the world for Christ.

When clarity about Christ meets curiosity about others, the gospel advances

The Moment We Are In demands a form of witness both humble and hopeful: one that listens deeply, speaks truthfully, and loves tangibly. When clarity about Christ meets curiosity about others, the gospel advances—not through programs, but through presence. This is the momentum of the Kingdom: quiet, relational, resilient, and Spirit-led. And as long as Christ’s church remains curious about people and confident in the gospel, the mission we are on will never lose momentum — till everyone hears. 

Endnotes

1. Sam Chan and Desmond Henry, “Jesus for the Curious” Webinar, 11 September 2025. A live dialogue exploring conversational evangelism in a skeptical world, highlighting curiosity, hospitality, and Spirit-led dialogue as integral to gospel witness.
2. Jesus’ dialogical approach (John 3–4; Luke 24) models evangelism as invitation rather than imposition—truth that walks alongside inquiry. 
3. Mentimeter Poll 2025, “Perceptions of Evangelism.” Aggregated from 30 global respondents on the ‘Jesus for the Curious’ Webinar with Sam Chan and Desmond Henry.
4. Ibid., “Levels of Spiritual Curiosity.”
5. Barna Group (2023) Spiritually Open: What Spiritual Conversations Reveal About Today’s World. Ventura, CA: Barna.
6. Mentimeter Poll 2025, “Barriers to Gospel Conversations.”
7. Newbigin, L. (1989) The Gospel in a Pluralist Society. London: SPCK, p. 122 – “Credibility arises from the lived reality of the Christian community.”
8. Mentimeter Poll 2025, “Turning Curiosity into Conversation.”