Principles of Soul-Winning: From Jesus to Paul
Key Scriptures
John 4:4–42; Luke 19:1–10; Acts 17:16–34; 1 Corinthians 9:19–23
Introduction
Soul-winning is not a sales pitch — it’s an overflow of God’s love and truth through our lives. From Jesus’ gentle yet truth-filled conversation with the Samaritan woman to Paul’s bold reasoning with philosophers in Athens, the Bible gives us powerful examples of leading people to Christ.
At its heart, soul-winning is joining God in His work — listening for His promptings, meeting people where they are, and pointing them toward the One who can save them.
Biblical Foundation
- John 4:4–42 – Jesus engaged the Samaritan woman with compassion, cultural sensitivity, and direct truth.
- Luke 19:1–10 – Zacchaeus encountered acceptance before transformation.
- Acts 17:16–34 – Paul started with the Athenians’ own cultural reference points to reveal Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 9:19–23 – Paul became “all things to all people” to win some.
Kingdom Principles
- See the person, not the project: People are not targets; they are eternal souls loved by God.
- Start where they are: Jesus began with the woman’s thirst for water; Paul began with the Athenians’ altar to the “unknown god.”
- Blend truth with grace: Truth without grace can repel; grace without truth can mislead.
- Rely on the Holy Spirit: Only God can convict and transform the heart (John 16:8).
Practical Steps to Soul-Winning
- Pray for divine appointments each day.
- Ask good questions to understand where someone is spiritually.
- Listen actively — people often reveal their needs and pain points.
- Share your own story in a way that relates to their situation.
- Invite them to take the next step — prayer, Bible study, church, or a conversation with a mentor.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Arguing to win rather than loving to win.
- Dumping too much information at once — lead them step by step.
- Neglecting follow-up — a seed without care may never grow.
D.L. Moody’s One Soul a Day Commitment
The 19th-century evangelist Dwight L. Moody made a personal commitment to share the gospel with at least one person every day. One night, he realized he hadn’t spoken to anyone yet, so he went out in the rain and found a man under a streetlamp. That man later became a Christian and began winning others to Christ. Moody’s consistency led to millions hearing the gospel during his lifetime.
Action Challenge: “This Week’s Mission”
- Each day, ask God for one opportunity to have a spiritual conversation.
- Be intentional about starting with questions rather than statements.
- Record what happened — even if the conversation was short or unexpected.
Interactive Discussion Prompts
- When you think of Jesus or Paul’s approach to soul-winning, which principle stands out most to you and why?
- Share a time you felt God arranged a “divine appointment” — what happened?
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